New Design, clip point tanto.

C

Calvin Richardson

Joined
Oct 13, 2011
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377
It's been awhile since I've posted a knife, so I thought I would show everyone what I'm working on. This is one of two new designs that I'm working up. I'm calling it a clip point tanto. The clip more than likely won't be sharpened. I've done a tanto in the past and I'm really looking forward to this one. Let me know what you think. The profile isn't totally done. The handle area needs a little tweeking.:D
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I think "tanto" is just a popular name these days.... everyone wants to tanto. ;)
 
tryppyr said:
I think "tanto" is just a popular name these days.... everyone wants to tanto. ;)
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I totally agree Greg. I just don't know what else to call the style. The blade isn't long enough in my mind to be considered a chopper. It's funny because everyone calls a blade with two bevels meeting at angle a tanto, when true tantos had a more rounded belly profile.
I am completely open to any suggestions as to what to call this style. I totally feel that "tanto" is over done.
 
Hey, it's your design... Call it whatever you want. If you're looking for suggestions, I'd offer "Richardson's Raider".
 
In Spanish tanto means so much and tantos means so many. I guess one could say in Spanglish, "The name tanto is used tanto that there are tantos tantos being made today that no one knows what one looks like."

I agree that any tip with an angle in it gets called a tanto today.
The only Japanese descriptive requirement for a tanto is having a blade length of one shaku or less ( less than a foot). The tip can be a fine point or a blunt angle.
For a while people tried calling the angle tipped knives we all see "American Tanto", but the name was too clumsy and didn't take.
 
Calvin,
I've got it. Make a larger one - sort of a bowie version- and call it "The Lone Ranger". Then make this one and call it "His Faithful Companion". :)
 
bladsmth said:
Calvin,
I've got it. Make a larger one - sort of a bowie version- and call it "The Lone Ranger". Then make this one and call it "His Faithful Companion". :)
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That would be "Tonto" :D


And in Spanish that is "Dumb or Stupid"
 
So then was Tonto calling the Lone Ranger: "King O Sabe" or Quien Sabe? Certainly a play on words no doubt.
 
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I thought it was "kimosabe" which the lone ranger thought was the apache word for friend. But really it meant horses ass.
 
Calvin Richardson said:
Lol. That's awesome!! Reminds me of a Farside comic strip.
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Larson is always relevant, he is likely a smith at heart
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But Stacy's right about the semantics game when it comes to the term Tanto these days and some folks are pretty particular about the angle of the kissaki, thumbing their noses at American Tanto edges. I'm torn myself over it at times as the technical critic wants to stay true to the traditional Kissaki Moroha for Synesthesia and the artist in me wants edges that match the Aesthetics.
From that perspective, the clip almost makes the abrupt tip a requirement as the handle design is perfect. To break down the conflicting classic and modern elements:
The ergonomics and clip take on a near classic box-bowie look, at the same time the edge profile and the sharp, abrupt turns to the choil, grip, and butt link to a unique symetry of parallel contrasting points. To simplify--take a large bowie picture and compress the length in photo shop and it looks kind of squat to make it look less like a Danny Devito Bowie, you widen the blade and tug at the corners of the pommel and tip's curve to match a chopper.
I agree with Greg--something about this looks to me like what some modern steampunker would stick on Indiana's hip for a blade in reboot of Raiders of the Lost Ark . :thumbup:
I can't offer up a name, but I will too chime in en Espanol, "Me Gusta."
 
Ed Braun said:
Larson is always relevant, he is likely a smith at heart
m176214389.jpg


But Stacy's right about the semantics game when it comes to the term Tanto these days and some folks are pretty particular about the angle of the kissaki, thumbing their noses at American Tanto edges. I'm torn myself over it at times as the technical critic wants to stay true to the traditional Kissaki Moroha for Synesthesia and the artist in me wants edges that match the Aesthetics.
From that perspective, the clip almost makes the abrupt tip a requirement as the handle design is perfect. To break down the conflicting classic and modern elements:
The ergonomics and clip take on a near classic box-bowie look, at the same time the edge profile and the sharp, abrupt turns to the choil, grip, and butt link to a unique symetry of parallel contrasting points. To simplify--take a large bowie picture and compress the length in photo shop and it looks kind of squat to make it look less like a Danny Devito Bowie, you widen the blade and tug at the corners of the pommel and tip's curve to match a chopper.
I agree with Greg--something about this looks to me like what some modern steampunker would stick on Indiana's hip for a blade in reboot of Raiders of the Lost Ark . :thumbup:
I can't offer up a name, but I will too chime in en Espanol, "Me Gusta."
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Mr. Braun, I am completely humbled by your analysis. I wish that I could say that I put that much thought into the design, but unfortunately I can't. I feel that one who has the knowledge of design, can almost always do a better job. I sadly lack that. I simply cannot describe the elation I receive when individuals such as yourself, Stacy, and Greg compliment my work. I look forward to showing the progress of this blade and also showing the new Skinner design in the works. Again, thank you.
 
Brother,
There's enough hoodoo and romanticism about this craft than one can shake a (pointy) stick at, and a lot of us hold ourselves to the exacting science behind the art--the design of a blade is about as far as most of us can afford to present some kind of glamour, and by that I mean the archaic definition of "glam;" to dazzle with illusion.
It is a fantastic thing when the only hype behind a blade is the enthusiasm and anticipation of your peers--we can only invest so much conscious thought into a design to create something functional, sound, and reliable and half the adventure, the other half is seeing what others read in our work.
Pardon my gushing--I'm a huge fan of mixing "new" and "old school" techniques with "old world" and "new world" elements and this piqued my own interests. Watching this will be a buffet of insight and, based on the early aspects of posts, good humor.
*subscribed*
 
Sorry its been so long since I posted on this thread. I've been busy with a lot of stuff. I started a new job three weeks ago, I've been helping my father with his bowie that he's building, and several other things. I finally got to work on this knife today and got one of the sides almost filed in. It needs just a little more work towards the transition between the tip and the main bevel. This knife will be going to a good friend of mine who is on the SWAT team for the Missouri Highway Patrol. He also is the main firearms and tactics trainer for the Highway Patrol. Pretty good person to know.
Here's a pic of the progress thus far.
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I'm hoping to have the bevels finished tomorrow and be ready for heat treat.

I would also like to post a couple other pics of some stuff I'm working on. The first is the bowie I spoke of earlier. I'm particularly proud of this design and the work that my father has put into it.
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The blade is 9.5" long. Its going to be our first hidden tang knife. Kinda nervous about it, but excited as well. He has done all the beveling himself.

This next one is a skinner that I'm doing for a gentleman that is a giant of a person. He is large both in heart and stature.
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The blade is 5.5" long and the handle is 5.25" long. The handle is so long due to his enormous hands.
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That's my hand beside his. My hand isn't tiny at 7.5" long, but next to his, it looks like a child's!! I'll post threads on both of these when they are done.
Hope you enjoyed this update. Hasta Luego, in the spirit of earlier posts. Coincidentally, that is just about the extent of my Spanish.:rolleyes:
 
Forgot to add the thoughts about the handle on the "tanto". I'm thinking black micarta with 3 copper tubes. I might go with a cord wrap over white oak scales as well, not really sure yet. I would also like to do a cera-kote finish on the blade with a polished spine. Let me know what you think of these ideas.
 
I finally got to spend some time on this knife. I'm sorry that it has been awhile since I have posted on it. Heat treat is done and its hand sanded to 600 grit. After the 600 grit I rubbed the blade with red scotch brite pad in only one direction. I think that it really adds depth to the steel. Anyways, I have the micarta scales on, drilled and one side shaped. This stuff is ridiculously tough. It's the first time I have used it, but I love the way it works.
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Here's a close up of the handle for texture and "grain" patterning of the micarta. The handle has gotten tweaked a little bit more tonight. I have to say it again, I really like working this micarta.
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