Is a drop point really that much more useful than a tanto?

[Kaizen1]

Hey people,

I'm considering getting my first axis lock and I'm looking at either the Benchmade HK series 14200 or the 14250. I can't help it, I just really like the look of the 14250. Would it be that much of a difference for me to go tanto? And while I'm at it, how do these models compare to the Griptilian series?

 

[Dog of War]

IMO a drop, spear or clip point - meaning most any knife with some belly - is much more useful than a tanto. Lots of reasons, including the rocking motion you can use when push cutting tough stuff like hose and cable, the fact that the tanto's transition from the tip section to the rest of the edge can be awkward for slicing cuts, and all-round versatility a knife with belly gives you.

 

[DGG]

I would get what I like. Your opinion is as good as anyone else's and it is your money.

 

[WadeF]

I never really saw the point of having a tanto blade other than for the looks. Unless you intend to stab cans open all the time I'd go with the drop point.

 

[Kaizen1]

I would like to go with looks, but utility is more important. Any thoughts on how the hks compare with the Griptilians?

 

[allenC]

over the years I've given tantos a fair chance, but for me, they just don't perform as well as a clip-point, dropi-point, or spear-point.
These days I don't even consider a tanto blade.

 

[Vivi]

IMO a drop, spear or clip point - meaning most any knife with some belly - is much more useful than a tanto. Lots of reasons, including the rocking motion you can use when push cutting tough stuff like hose and cable, the fact that the tanto's transition from the tip section to the rest of the edge can be awkward for slicing cuts, and all-round versatility a knife with belly gives you.

He's got it. The more flowing curve rather than an angle makes for a more usable cutting surface in my experience. Also, say you want to stick the tip of the blade down into something, like a steak, and make a pulling cut...well with a tanto you find yourself having to angle your arm ore. This is just one of the way that applies too.

I have my share of Tanto blades, but they never seem to get any pocket time.

 

[ahgar]

Personally i would prefer a drop point or clip point either of these I feel are more useful for day to day tasks and will serve you well. however if you like the tanto then by all means go for it. One of two things will happen, either you'll like it in which case you win or you'll hate it and trade it for something you may like better in which case you win. good luck, ahgar

 

[IUKE12]

Is a drop point really that much more useful than a tanto?

In a word, yes. Drop points, spear points, much more useful for daily tasks under most circumstances. Tanto point=strong tip, no doubt about it. I guess you have to decide how much you would really need the stronger tip. If I stabbed car hoods for a living, I would get a tanto. Ultimately, your personal requirements should dictate the blade style.

 

[ginshun]

While I agree that the clip or spear is a more useful and utilitarian blade style, I find it hard to believe that there are many tasks that come into play on a day to day basis that you could do with a clip point and that would be impossible or anything other than very mildly tougher with the tanto. I don't think I could go as far as to say much more useful though. Mildly at best IMO. Unless you are using it to skin animals or something similar that requires a big belly on the blade.

Honestly, what do most people do with theit knife on a daily basis? Cut some rope? Break down some cardboard boxes? Open a letter? Cut a piece of string off your jacket? Whittle a stick into a sharp point? Cut some fishing line?

If you like the look of the tanto, get the tanto.

 

[Lucky Bob]

I might be wrong, but from the picture on BM's site, it looks like their tanto is a single-side grind. My problem, as a righty, is that the ground side is on the bottom when I'm doing any cutting (whittling, making roasting sticks, what have you) and so I have to increase the angle of the blade, which makes it less ergonomic, because I always want to be pushing parallel to the liners, not across them.

 

[ginshun]

I might be wrong, but from the picture on BM's site, it looks like their tanto is a single-side grind. My problem, as a righty, is that the ground side is on the bottom when I'm doing any cutting (whittling, making roasting sticks, what have you) and so I have to increase the angle of the blade, which makes it less ergonomic, because I always want to be pushing parallel to the liners, not across them.

I guess I am not sure, but I didn't think any BM were chisel ground. I could be wrong though.

 

[tleger]

If you don't believe that a drop or clip point is more useful just try to carve
a pumpkin with a tanto. When you have two cutting angles you tend to get some wicked angle cuts, and not where you are trying to make them I have had both and I think the tip of the tanto is better designed for hard stabbing and I really like the looks and strength of a good tanto. That said, My pick for a utility blade is a drop point or a blade like the Spyderco Milly. This is only my opinion though.

Anthony

 

[Death's Head]

Tantos looks great in my opinion, but they are just not the slicers that other blade styles are. Tantos were designed to be super-strong blades that can take a stab through a car door, but knives weren't design to do that anyways.
If you had to choose one blade, but a drop point/spear point or even better a wharncliffe. I believe these blade styles perform the functions of a knife best.
By the way, the knife below is a tanto. I do wish it had a different blade style.

 

[Lucky Bob]

You mean me? I'm a tanto knife!?

 

[OwenM]

No, I don't think the tanto shape is any less useful than a drop point, etc. In many cases they're ideal. All depends on your individual use. I tend to favor drop points, or spear points with a recurve or as little belly as possible, but in many instances, particularly at my work, would prefer a tanto.
There's nothing wrong with the slicing ability of a straight edge, either(I've yet to figure out how people come up with belly=slicing ability, yet know a recurve cuts better when it's the exact opposite), as long as that straight edge stays parallel to the handle or even better drops lower along its length.
I think the problem with tantos is not that "they're a tanto", but the geometry that makers tend to give a "tactical looking" blade, which tantos generally are, and that that geometry is usually not geared toward superior cutting performance.

 

[Redguy]

I beg to differ. I EDC two tantos since 2002 and I've never met any task which couldn't be done with a tanto blade. A tanto is every bit as good as a more traditional blade.

 

[kbog]

No, I don't think the tanto shape is any less useful than a drop point, etc. In many cases they're ideal. All depends on your individual use. I tend to favor drop points, or spear points with a recurve or as little belly as possible, but in many instances, particularly at my work, would prefer a tanto.
There's nothing wrong with the slicing ability of a straight edge, either(I've yet to figure out how people come up with belly=slicing ability, yet know a recurve cuts better when it's the exact opposite), as long as that straight edge stays parallel to the handle or even better drops lower along its length.
I think the problem with tantos is not that "they're a tanto", but the geometry that makers tend to give a "tactical looking" blade, which tantos generally are, and that that geometry is usually not geared toward superior cutting performance.

Not trying to stir the pot, but a recurve cuts better on a pull stroke for me. I'm guessing the same for you. So wouldn't a belly slice better on a push stroke? I think it is simple physics - a curve is a curve and it tends to slice better...

 

[Lavan]

Redguy.....things cut different in Hungary.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Personally I think people put way too much thought into what shape of blade they need.

If you're skinning deer all day long that's one thing. However most of use use our knives for simple stuff that any shape would handle just fine.

I'd say if you like the Tanto get it. They are great knives too.