SAL...BE TRUE: YOU DON'T REALLY LIKE TANTO

P

para'

Joined
Jan 6, 2001
Messages
28
..Because if I look at the Lum Tanto,I don't see a "bad tanto blade" but an elegant one, and even if I look at all the previous topics requiring for a real Tanto, you don't give a straight answer..So, tell us the true, you really don't like Tanto !!

EX ALTO FULGOR
(para' formerly mario civalleri)

 
Hi Para'. A Tanto is a Japanese blade that is of a certain style for a certin purpose. That Tanto I have much appreciation for.

The "modern" Tanto that Bob Lum created (he made the original that Cold Steel produced) is not rally a Tanto. It is really a "short Wakizashi with a hollow grind".

I can see the advantage of the "Sword" tip for strength, but I find that type of tip not effective for most intricate cutting jobs.

It has it's place. We try to make it well. I can see more value in the fixed blade version than a folder.

sal
 
Thanks Sal, I understand your point of view, but please take present that a possible version would be a Native size with a strong Tanto blade, that is exactly what is missing around...every factory is good enough to make a tanto, but only Spyderco can do it that good, that strong,...and maybe that affordable.

EX ALTO FULGOR
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Sal Glesser:
The "modern" Tanto that Bob Lum created (he made the original that Cold Steel produced) is not rally a Tanto. It is really a "short Wakizashi with a hollow grind".
</font>
Click to expand...
As I see it, a short wakizashi is a tanto <small>(although most of CS's are much too small to called tantos and several of them don't have the sword-type guard a tanto should have)</small> and tip shape has little to do with it. I haven't ever seen an old tanto, wakizashi or katana with that kind of tip, but I know they've existed.
A document on <a href="http://www.swordforum.com/sfu/japanese/americanized.html">Americanized tantos</a>.
I fully agree the angled tip isn't particularily useful.
<img src="http://www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/knives/.1x1knives.gif" alt="" width=0 height=0>
 
Hi Griffon. Though my own experience is quite limited; I do own a number of Wakizashi pieces and have owned and handled a number of Tantos...all made in Japan (Some in Seki city). I have never seen an "armor piercing" tip on a Japanese made tanto.

I must also say that I have never seen either "hollow ground". The hamaguriba (appleseed or "Moran" edge) grind was the normal grind method.

sal
 
What about chisel ground blades? The guys over at the Emerson forum claims that most traditional katanas/wakisashis/tantos were chisel ground because that gave them armor piercing capability. To me, that sounds like BS.
 
My understanding is that most older tantos had a blade style of either Hira-Zukuri or Shobu-Zukuri.

Some, however, had Shinogi-Zukuri, like the following one in my collection, which is most likely a cut down wakizashi. (c. 17-19th century)

View


This piece features a blade of roughly 10 inches in a shira-saya mount and two piece habaki.

For those interested, you can learn a lot about Japanese blades at the following site which is replete with interesting articles and facts:

http://japanesesword.homestead.com/files/nihonto.htm

Blues

P.S. Pelle, you're right, that is B.S.
wink.gif


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[This message has been edited by Blues (edited 01-10-2001).]
 
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