Here's an interesting excerpt from one of Mick's previous posts (thanks to Crayola for finding it a while ago):
Tanto tips...tanto tips...tanto tips...
Im glad you remembered to ask this one. I always forget about it. Here's the deal. Tantos, when properly executed, have tremendous strength and penetration properties. Most people can figure that one out. Use it as a chisel, people have that one down as well. Here's a few more:
Improved angle of cut. Say you are in a situation where you are forced to defend yourself. And lets just say for the record that your not a knife Guru of any kind. A tanto tip, the tangent angle of the two grinds to be specific, is an exceptional sweet spot. The slashing penetration is magnificent. Hold a tanto out in a "Im gonna slash you" attitude. Note that the primary and secondary edges form a little triangle of death. Therefor we have improved "stressed" cutting dynamics.
Use that same "sweet spot" as a utility edge. Again, take the tangent of the two grinds, (the point of the triangle), and use it to cut something. Example: Take a piece of paper and lay it on a hard surface. Don't use your nice desk because it wont be nice when your finished. Take your tanto "sweet spot" and run it along the paper. Cuts nice huh.
Now take it out to your driveway and pound it into the tarmac with a sledge hammer. When you get it out, note that the tip is still useful. Maybe a bit rolled over, but unbroken. (This one isn't a requirement).
We'll talk more on this...
Carpe Diem
Mick
