LOTS of thoughts here. If you gotta have a tanto for use & not looks, then check out the Ontario Ranger RD Tanto. It is 1/4" of 5160, full width, full tang, has micarta grips (that you can shape with a Dremel tool if they don't fit your hand), has an extended tang/pommel. This will most likely take anything you can dish out & will probably be passed down more than 1 or 2 generations.
Chopper-BK9. That sucker chops as good/better, than knives costing MUCH more. Also to be passed down for generations.
Chopper-BK9. That sucker chops as good/better, than knives costing MUCH more. Also to be passed down for generations.