Strider... spear point or tanto?

It's a personal preference thing. I don't much like tanto shapes. Many others would disagree. You should choose what appeals to you. In a purely practical sense, I don't think there are any significant differences between the two.
 
I have a Gen 5 SnG tanto that was reworked to a Spanto. Best of both worlds!

Matador-
 
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Spear point is very easy to sharpen, Strider makes a great tanto for extra hard abusive use.
 
Do what I did... get both ;-)

I have a lefty spearpoint (tiger stripes) and a righty tanto (digicam). The spearpoint is easier to sharpen but I love the way the tantos look. The tanto cuts just as well but you have a smaller cutting edge. I keep her super sharp so she gets the job done. So... it just like picking a girlfriend.. You go go on practicality or looks! Nonetheless... If you love choils and good ergonomics you will love your Strider.
 
Well, this is the first pricy knife i am going to get... so i think i will end up getting the spear point first, then the seb... then if i still want to get more, i will
 
If it was a strider, I dont think i'd care terribly much. (but a spear would be preferable)
 
one of the things im having trouble with is finding sites that have a cc version of the sng and pt in stock...
 
Good choice of knives :thumbup: I'd go with the spear point first too. I have/had a tanto SnG that I made into a spanto like another member mentioned :cool: That still wasn't satisfying so I bought a SBMF 889 and replaced the blade and it fit like a glove :D

Now I can get replaceable blades for my SnG :thumbup:

I think I'll get the ATS-34 version from buck soon so that I have one of each blade type :p
 
Nathan Ihrke said:
one of the things im having trouble with is finding sites that have a cc version of the sng and pt in stock...
Click to expand...

That's probably the biggest downside to wanting a Strider - it can be tough to get exactly the one you want. Some dealers have waiting lists for Striders, you may want to go ahead and get in line with several of them just in case. Also, keep checking the aftermarket - they pop up in the BST forum occasionally (there's always eBay as well...).

Another option is to "settle" for one that's slightly different from the one you're looking for and sell or trade it when your dream knife becomes available. Since they tend to retain a pretty decent resale value you won't be losing too much if you decide to go this route.
 
I think there are some good tanto grinds. Unfortunately Striders is a bit too acute for me.
 
Spear points offer more utility in cutting - they closely resemble drop points, which allow running the edge under the material to be cut without cutting the stuff underneath.

A tanto can do the same, but with a more acute grind to the ramp, it won't get as far underneath, and needs more pressure.

Spear points have finer tips, allowing close cutting and more precise control, a plus with the extra choil. Tanto tips are blunter and can be used theoretically with more pressure, but at the loss of a variable contact angle. It's either good for the tanto or no good at all.

And, as mentioned, spear points are much more popular - which means the average user understands the utility and looks are superior. I know tanto tips have been popular in tactical knives for some time, but I believe it was because the originators needed to differentiate their product on the market, not because they were overwhelmingly superior.

Many tanto tips come in chisel grind only, don't know if Strider does it that way - I carry a spearpoint. Chisel grinds tend to steer the cut to one side, and are usually ground on the side opposite the best for a right hander. You have to lay the blade down at a different angle than what you might be used to for a regular V grind, and it takes months getting used to it.

I keep one tanto around to remind me how different they can be - but I don't EDC it. It's a different animal, and I don't want to change every other knife over just to keep a familiar range of motion and use.
 
like most here, i find the spearpoint far more useful.

nothing against a tanto grind, necessarily, but not as user friendly for pracitical purposes.
 
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