Spearpoint or Tanto

It is common that the chisel ground tanto is praised as the ultimate combat blade. Especially as they are suposed to be "kevlar-defeating". The more I´ve looked into the subject, the more I find it to be 100% BS.
I´ve talked to the guys at the swordforum who are experts at japanese blades an I have been told that the americanized broken tip tanto has nothing to do with the old swords.
Blades like that are a modern invention.
And my Spydie Endura will stab through both front and back (yes, I have tried it...) of a class IIA kevlar vest.
As an everyday folder for utility and defense, I´d recomend the Spyderco Endura, CRKT Kasper or Outdoor Edge Impulse. You won´t get more bang than that for your bucks.
The only useful tantos are curved and (mostly)fixed (Bob lum (folder is OK too), CS Tanto etc).
 
Sam1.

IMHO, there is no actual reason for a tanto blade, even for self defense purposes. Steels, materials and thought have superceded this syle of blade.

Unless you are interested in antiquity or some eastern tradition...pass on the tanto.

Hope this helps
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Steve-O
 
I asked on another posting, that I had read somewhere on here that the button track on the CUDA can get dirty and gummed up. I use "Gun Scrubber" to clean my firearms, it is an aerosol spray solvent that really blast the crud out of cracks and crevices. I was wondering if it would work for knife and would it have any detrimental effect on the handle material?
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by PhilL:
but as for me I don't carry a knife as a weapon and No Tantos for me Tonto. But then I'm not a Ninja wannabee.
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Oh? More Old Knife Guy "Ninja Wannabe" nonsense, how refreshing.
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"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
 
Jimmy, Yes I have seen pictures of both blade styles. In fact I printed them out and they are hanging on my computer desk. Sort of like the old Sears Christmas wish book. Why do you ask? I like the looks of both.
 
Political thin ice.

Someone equated chisel grind with tanto point, and described the chisel grind as hot stuff.

With all respect for the very famous knifemakers who have embraced the chisel grind, I consider it a fad and a sham.
People make edged weapons with a chisel grind because it takes less time and concentration.
It has no advantage.
Angle of incidence means angle of incidence regardless of the symmetry or dissymmetry of the steel behind it.

We have lost the understanding of why the Japanese made the type of point we call a tanto point.
It had more to do with heat treatment, blade construction and use on a sword than it did with what we call a tanto today in America.

Sure, one might more successfully punch a "tanto" through a car door than they would a spear point such as the one found on a Spyderco Native, but how often and why would a person punch a knife through a car door.

Yes, I understand body armor.
I already carry a non-folder with an armor piercing point for the unexpected purpose of defeating body armor and punching through the skull of a grizzly bear.

I carry a spear point Native when traveling by airline and through less civilized states than Oregon (only the other 49).
It will serve every purpose imaginable, short of body armor and grizzlies, and that will need to suffice.
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Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11, Freedom
If one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself.
 
I would go with a spear point for versatility. If you're just looking at a knife for self defense, a tanto may be the ticket, however, I'd still go with a spearpoint or a clip point any day.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Sam1:
Okay, everyday carry, primarily for personal defense.</font>
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For your use,I'm a fan of the Tanto style. Call me trendy. The one thing I do is keep its blade factory sharp, never using it. I use other blades for that purpose.

 
I guess I'm trendy also. I like the looks, and use my medium CS Voyager for mainly opening mail, boxes, etc. The tanto tip is great for opening envelopes, I also find it easier to sharpen on my EdgePro.

But that's just me, I don't plan on getting close enough to a Griz to try the "skull punch". I'll stick with my Casull for that kind of stuff, but that's another forum...
 
For use I prefer the spear point. For looks I prefer the tanto. I carry one of each almost every day. **hint** **hint**
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I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts. -- John Steinbeck
Dog does not eat dog. - Juvenal

iktomi
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I just sent an e-mail to Discount Knives to see if they will apply their 10% guarantee to the best price I have found on the CUDA (Top of Texas Knives) $96. Have any of you had any experience in this area?
I decided on the non-serrated spear/drop point.
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Quick! Somebody name a knife that won't punch through a class II vest (or go through a car door). Just because you haven't tried it , and have no conceivable reason to need to do it, does not mean it's hard to do.

Go with the spearpoint, its a more practical design.
 
If old Mr. Griz gets after me, I'm going to run and scream like a girl!
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One night we were camping at Mt. Pisga, near Ashville. Everybody went to the can but me. My Coleman sputtered and all of a sudden, it was dark. Very, very dark. When they got back, I was way up in a tree. It's become a favorite "campfire story". BIG laughs every time someone tells the story. Beer squirts out of nostrils. Why are the embarassing ones never forgotten?
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I don't think there is a Griz within a thousand miles of Mt. Pisga.
I didn't even think of my knife.

Will

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Mendacity is the
system we live in.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Paracelsus:
I just love it when a plan comes together (even if there really was no plan)
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Now THERES a throwback reference to our favorite bunch of renegade soldiers...The A-TEAM!!
 
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