Ethnic designs?

[Quiet Storm]

The Americanized tanto certainly has Japanese roots - the point design is pretty similar to katanas and wakizashis. The name "tanto" was probably adapted because the Americanized tanto fixed blades are closer to Japanese tantos in size than the larger swords which inspired the shape of the point.

 

[zenheretic]

The Americanized tanto certainly has Japanese roots - the point design is pretty similar to katanas and wakizashis. The name "tanto" was probably adapted because the Americanized tanto fixed blades are closer to Japanese tantos in size than the larger swords which inspired the shape of the point.

At least someone can see my point of view. I freely admit it doesn't match the old Jap. blade perfectly, but really inspiration is taking something that exists and tweeking it a bit. Square peg in round hole or splitting some tiny unimportant hairs? Really no modern blade could be called a tanto or a wakazashi or "whatever they call the long sword" unless it was made with all the folded steel 100's of times, and in the same methods if you want to go really technical. Thankyou all for the pictures and lessons in blade grinds as it has been most informative...still find the "tanto" more ethnic than GW.

 

[David Schott]

I dunno....I see the americanized tanto as ethnic only because it shares a shape....ive yet to see a differentially tempered amerianized tanto with a proper watermelon seed edge....they mostly are flat, tactical grinds....

I think that just because it may instill some feeling or idea of eastern ethnicity to a westerner doesnt make it an ethnic blade....i see them moreakin to having "i love new york" tattooed on your back in chinese...

Nothing wrong with em at all, but I see their roots only apparent in the transistion from edge to tip, and almost nowhere else....and that transisition didnt even exist on tantos....so the ethnicity, even if it was there, is far enough removed that the terminology doesnt even apply anymoe.

 

[Quiet Storm]

Well, the Kris, Persian, Chinese Folder and Shabaria are heavily modernized and "Spyderco-ized" versions of their traditional counterparts as well. Ethnic designs in high-tech folding knives usually roughly resemble the original blade shape and little else.

 

[GarageBoy]

Tantos look like a drop point to me that's made pointier

 

[puukkoman]

I have designed two versions of the Scandanavian Puukko. All of these designs are stylized versions of the inspirational piece.

I would love to see something with a scandanavian "0" edge grind from spyderco. With a steel optimized for that kind of grind.

Anyone else?

As would I. Scandis are superb cutters, elegant while purely utilitarian. I'd be interested to see what Spyderco would do with it... Perhaps they'd let me design one? ....

 

[Protactical]

"Nothing wrong with em at all, but I see their roots only apparent in the transistion from edge to tip, and almost nowhere else....and that transisition didnt even exist on tantos....so the ethnicity, even if it was there, is far enough removed that the terminology doesnt even apply anymoe."

Sure and anyone who has checked out a few sites on the internet knows that. However, 20+ years ago when few people had heard of the Tanto (or tactical), the Americanized Tanto ruled the roost, some years being the hottest trend in knifemaking. Over time people got interested in many things in greater depth, and we now have a whole Japanese sword and knife sub-culture to enjoy, with people doing everything from making steel to polishing swords. So the Americanized Tanto deserves the name because before anyone gave a rat's butt about whether it was authentic or not, it helped open the field up to the enjoyment of Japanese blades.

 

[V-1]

Personally I have designed the Gurka a stylized Khukuri, the Barong influenced from a Philippine bolo. I have a Corsican Navaja, in the works.

I have designed two versions of the Scandanavian Puukko. All of these designs are stylized versions of the inspirational piece.

All these ethnic pieces are stylized and are not traditional. There are specific attributes that can be translated to give the interpetation, the symbolism of the traditional piece...Take Care...Ed

I'll be looking forward to buying each Spyderco made version of the mentioned blades....over the next few years. Heck, maybe into the next decade. However long it takes. I'm a patient man.

I'd love to check out Mr. Schempp's take of each design.

 

[SPOOKYSHOGUN]

Mr. Schempp already said it, but I've been thinking it for a good long time. I think we need a modern tactical Navaja. Not a small one either. I would be happy with 5" to 6" of blade.

 

[V-1]

Mr. Schempp already said it, but I've been thinking it for a good long time. I think we need a modern tactical Navaja. Not a small one either. I would be happy with 5" to 6" of blade.

That would be an awesome Schempp/Spyderco collaboration!

All of them Mr. Schempp mentioned above would be great designs.

I love being able to use historical designs in my daily routine. It gives you a better appreciation for past cultures and the way they used their tools for their times and environments.

 

[catamount123]

Mr. Schempp already said it, but I've been thinking it for a good long time. I think we need a modern tactical Navaja. Not a small one either. I would be happy with 5" to 6" of blade.

Ed showed a concept knife in Amsterdam (sorry no pics).

ED SCHEMPP CORSICAN NAVAJO

Another beautifull damascus ethnic design concept. An interesting feature was the ratcheting effect when you open and close to blade.

http://spyderco.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20449&page=1

Tom