How tough is it to sharpen / use TANTO BLADES?

Looks like a tanto version of a DDR Gunhammer style blade (a style that seems to be seeing some interest, as Spydercos Captain has a similiar recurve with a distinct break between belly and point edges)
 
for the curve on the tanto blade...I believe thats so one can put more pressure on the thing they are cutting because of that concave cutting area.
 
Jimmy123, here's a Benchmade I think you should consider:

http://www.knifeworks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4194

This is a manual axis lock version of a Benchmade auto that is very popular with law enforcement and others who depend on their blades for both utility use and self-defense. It may not be as flashy as the Snody design, but it has every bit the quality and IMO a much better design. Most will find this blade design far more useful for a variety of things, and it will be just as effective should you ever have to use it for self-defense. Plus it doesn't scream "weapon" should you have to use it in polite company (or have the cops search your person) and costs less to boot.
 
I've EDC'ed a CQC-7B, and find the tanto blade much more useful than I originally thought. Having two straight edges works well for big and small jobs, and as Artfully mentioned, it can be used as an Exacto knife. I sharpen mine with regular sharpening stone, and treat the two edges as separate. Not a very difficult task. For some historical info, the Tanto was the samurai's dagger, and the blade shape was also found on both the Katana (long sword) and the Wakizashi (short sword). The purpose of the point was to increase tip strength to efficiently pierce armor. I don't know if modern designs increase the tip that much more considering the method the Japanese blades were uniquely designed for strength. Hope that helps.
 
MMKTiger said:
I've EDC'ed a CQC-7B, and find the tanto blade much more useful than I originally thought. Having two straight edges works well for big and small jobs, and as Artfully mentioned, it can be used as an Exacto knife. I sharpen mine with regular sharpening stone, and treat the two edges as separate. Not a very difficult task. For some historical info, the Tanto was the samurai's dagger, and the blade shape was also found on both the Katana (long sword) and the Wakizashi (short sword). The purpose of the point was to increase tip strength to efficiently pierce armor. I don't know if modern designs increase the tip that much more considering the method the Japanese blades were uniquely designed for strength. Hope that helps.
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I understand the exacto knife but in everyday application your going to need that longer edge to cut things. Tanto have small area to cut things versus a normal knife edge and that is where the tantos usefulness fails. I do understand its ability to pierce but its going to be extremely rare that you are going to need to stab somebody or pierce something that a normal blade could not pierce.
 
You make a good point. Naturally, "traditional" blades would have a larger cutting area by its design as compared to a tanto blade of similar length. The tanto blade style loses, I would say, about a fourth or less of the potential cutting area. However, I don't believe the tanto "fails" in its design and usefulness. In fact, I don't think I've heard anyone say it "fails" in its usefulness, but rather express their opinons for or against them. Now as for piercing, I dont believe I was making any assumptions of how often and when the tanto style will be used, but rather pointing out their original intent. I have no doubts that clip points, spear points, drop points, etc. are just as effective in their capacity puncture material, however the original intent of the tanto style point was to prevent point breakage when piercing armor. Again, I am not sure if modern tanto style blades are significantly stronger than others, as the feudal Japanese sword makers also folded the steel over and over so as to increase the blade's strength. Some say the Katana are an engineering marvel in design. However, I would like to make one important point, and forgive me if I am reading too much into your response (comes with my profession). I am not "in favor" of the tanto over other blade styles, but simply expressing my experiences with their unique blade design. I also EDC a Dominator or a Grip, and currently considering purchasing a Strider or Sebenza. All excellent and useful knives. Good luck!
 
I've never tested this idea out, but it seems like not only the integrity would be increased for puncturing, but edge longevity as well.

Consider my paramilitary versus my STIFF KISS tanto. When puncturing with my para, probably half of the edge of that leaf shaped blade is used to cut through, but with a tanto, only that first edge is used and the rest of the blade is more or less untouched. Basically, it seems to me that if you punctured stuff a lot, you could expend just that one edge and leave the other for more conventional cutting tasks.

I rather think it would be ugly, but a tanto with a plain edge-to-point and serrated long edge might be an exceedingly practical knife....never really considered it.

I'm not like, a huge tanto fan (I only own one), but I do think they're rather underrated...
 
Some interesting thoughts about the puncturing. Makes alot of sense.

I agree with you in terms with asthetics, but in terms of utility, I see where you're going. It's a nice idea and it really takes advantage of the two edges as well as the overall blade design. Got great piercing, and well, a saw that chews threw seatbelts and such. I could see that blade having some fans... maybe among emergency workers? Perhaps, you have a really good idea that you could take advantage of. Good luck.
 
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