Quiery

[jsitm]

I am back. Greetings to all.

Now, does anyone here like & use tantos? If so, why do you like them?

Jsitm

 

[Bugs3x]

Ahh, another insomniac??

I carry 1 tanto most of the time, and a second tanto all the time. They are the CRKT M16-14, and Stiff KISS. I carry the M16 solely as a defensive piece. The KISS is carried primarily as a backup defensive piece.I trust the penetration that is possible for stabbing with a tanto. Although the primary edge is pretty straight, I feel I could do effective slashing with it as well.

Basically, other than for the reason stated, I don't much like the "American" tanto blade shape. It has limited practicality for most other things. The design that makes the point so strong also makes it relatively useless for most point tasks, so far as the M16 is concerned. One of the many reasons I carry 3 or more knives all the time.

The M16 has a couple design features I like very much, but you asked about the blade design. Of course, to be fair, the M16 is so big, that I might not be giving the tanto a fair shake. The KISS is much smaller, but concealed under my shirt, not nearly as handy as a clip point in my pocket.

Sorry this isn't exactly what you requested, but hope some criticism of the tanto might prove beneficial. Besides, am up late.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs

 

[medusaoblongata]

If you look at a carving knife set, whether it be Xacto or something else, you will see many different blade shapes. There's a blade with a lot of belly, a hawkbill, a triangle-shaped blade (like the front part of a tanto), a straight blade (like the back half of a tanto), and several other blade shapes. If you look at the currently available offering of production knived, you will see similar variation. Different blade shapes excel at different types of tasks. I don't carry a tanto, but I probably will in the future (in addition to at least two other knives). I will carry one because I can use the tip to puncture hard materials without worrying about the tip chipping and because I find the front edge useful for scraping things. IMO, the tanto, like the hawkbill, isn't the most useful all-around blade shape, but in addition to other knives it can give a wide variety of options. Use what works for you - if you find tantos useless, you probably don't need one.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault