Straight to the point

Point preference?

  • Total voters
    32
I got one for my wife (she really likes kukri) actually and was very impressed, a little jealous even! I havent gotten a chance to play with it that much but i've really liked it so far, not as much as the 9 though!
Great pic btw! That is some impressive chopping power!
Tanker 1/66 said:
Click to expand...
 
I voted for all points except the American tanto.

My point preference changes with the task at hand. There are times when a Wharncliff or sheepsfoot s more practical than a clip or spear.
 
I'm usually drawn to clip points.
There's so many options, reasons, and uses for them all.
I really like a sheepsfoot for work as I rarely need a sharp tip for anything other than stuff requiring a drill. At home all I need is a keen edge. In the woods I prefer a sharp point on smaller blades but the bigger edged tools dont see much tip action. Overall, I really have no big preference. If I like a knife, I like it. I'll use it for everything and anything as I see fit.
One thing about the American tanto...
They make a good beater design. Pretty useful for just about anything when you need a blade or point that you don't care about busting up, I reach for the cheap ugly beater lol.
 
According to the poll, the most popular tip types are:
#1 drop point
#2 clip and spear point
#3 wharncliffe
#4 upswept
And the american tanto got no votes so i wont even add it to the running.
 
Very interesting to me how low the clip point ranks here on the Becker subforum, considering how many Becker knives have clip points. (BK4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 20, 29 off the top of my head.)
 
I was not at all surprised to see drop point getting the vote and tanto getting zero votes: that pretty much sums up my feelings.
Drop point is strong and being on (or close to) the center line of the blade is often helpful. I've snapped tips of off several clip points, but I do like the looks of a good clip point.

I personally find tantos useless. I guess that's harsh: I'll say they don't fit any of my particular needs. I have tried a couple. Tantos are designed to stab into flesh, and for that they work fine. It is a strong tip design. But as others have said, maintaining the edge is more work and for camp chores like food prep....I just found it annoying. They just never worked for me.
 
They all have their +s and -s as long as its still attached to the blade, I'am good :D
 
One possible use for tantos.... I've never used a tanto for this, so take it with a grain of salt, but I'd bet, from the shape that they'd be great for batoning.

Think about it. A drop point, if you strike along the point, is always going to deflect a little because you'd be striking at less than a 90 degree angle to the spine because of the downward curvature toward the tip. Deflection = wasted energy.

The swedge of a clip point will always dig into the baton as you strike it. That means the energy that COULD go into the downward movement of the blade is then going into chewing up the baton. Less focused energy is inefficient.

Tanto, on the other hand, offers a flat spine all the way up to the tip. You strike perpendicular to the spine at any point up to the tip, and there is no swedge to dig into the baton and waste your enegry.

Now, unlike most Becker lovers, I don't baton. I have hatchets for that, so it makes no difference to me. But I'd think, at least in theory, an American tanto ought to make a good batoning knife.
 
I prefer both clip points and drop points equally. Multi purpose shape fits my needs. Except for the clip points which are swept upwards like bowies that is, meh.

Never owned a wharncliffe, no experience but I'm sure it has its place. Spear point, aesthetically doesn't do anything for me. Tanto, the mall ninja in me loves it. Super strong point, great for stabbing cars....don't ask. Up swept blades, unless you're a butcher or a pirate...blah.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top