Talk me into a Tanto?

kidcongo

kidcongo

Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
3,195
Hey fellas and ladies,

I have been thinking about a CRK Tanto. Not to collect, but to use. Anyone out there EDC-ing a Small or Large Tanto, and if so do you like it? / love it? / meh?. In particular i was wondering of the front upswept portion of the blade has any uses in the EDC role (scraping etc).

Is this blade-shape useful or is it just for the mall ninjas and collectors? Small or Large?
 
Personally I don't care for them, but they are not just for mall ninjas. It's a subject like the insingo (it's a different blade shape that some love while others do not so eagerly embrace).

Because it is a personal preference sort of thing, perhaps you could benefit from trial of a lesser tanto to see if your preference lies there?
 
I've not owned a CRK tanto knife, but I've had some other high quality tantos. I quite enjoy them, and they're certainly not only for mall ninjas, even if they came to be for that purpose initially. The two edges make for a very strong, precise tip, and the secondary tip works better for draw cuts that even a drastic drop point blade profile. They're easy to sharpen and touch up, and cut like two razor blades when finished. It's cool and all when someone advertises them as stabbing through a car hood damage-free, but that's far from their only use. I can see great utility type of use out of them, and using them as EDC has as many benefits/drawbacks as any traditional blade profile. Not to mention - if CRK makes it, it's not just a gimmick; it's going to be high quality and highly functional.

I would go for the Large 21 Tanto, personally.
 
Thanks for the opinions tchapman and unit. Two different opinions for sure.....guess I'll have to think more about this.
 
If you have the cash, jump! It's going to be an excellent example of what a tanto could be, I just find the blade shape appealing only on whims, and therefore not enough to spend the cheese.

I carried one for years and it was fine, but I tended to do a lot of "point work" cutting with the transition and so it always dulled there. Then I was faced with the decision to grind both bevels entirely, or just the dull area (which over time would round the transition into a spanto...and thereby remove what I loved.

I decided at that point that a wharncliffe or similar was better for me;)
 
I have owned several CRK Tanto over the years. A large regular NICA, large 21, umnumzaan Tanto. Like anything CRK, they are built to perfection. I honestly don't think a Tanto is as useful as a pointed blade like the regular or 25 has, but out of all Tanto folders out there , CRK's is the best. CRK's Tanto is more pointier than other brands, hence in my opinion making it more useful. I edc'ed them for a bit and really liked them. All were eventually sold to fund other CRK's, but I would not hesitate to get another if I had the funds and a nice deal came by. Scrapping, scoring ( not cutting ) are some uses mine excelled at. Being the Tanto design, the blade edge is straighter than a pointed blade, so I noticed they excelled at slicing when compared to a pointed blade. The point is not as useful for obvious reasons, but it does excel in areas where a pointed blade does not and it is Super Tough as knife points go. :-)Again, if you thinking of a Tanto, CRK's is by far the best design.
 
Well I don't think that I can talk you into one but I can say that I carried a Tanto umnum for years and never found it lacking in any way. I prefer to have the secondary tip for many tasks. The slight belly on his Tanto's makes them fine slicers and if you need to stab into something to begin your cut the point is very stout but plenty precise.
Everybody has a style that is more aesthetically pleasing to them, Tanto's were that way for me for most of my life. I find no downside to using one and like the fact that it can be used as a chisel or scraper without damaging the slicing edge.

Now the flip side.
When I first saw the Insingo pics I thought it was fugly. My buddy bought one as soon as the pre productions were released and as soon as I had it in hand I knew that it was possibly the best knife I ever held.
I bought one as soon as the regular productions were released, carried it for years( before the Tanto ), truly an awesome daily use knife.

If I didn't have a 21 with a birthdate that is special to me I'd rotate between the Tanto and Insingo's depending on the day, as it stands I rotate between those 4( small Insingo makes an appearance every year or so ). Out of those the 21's standard blade is my least favorite, though still great.

There you go, clear as mud ;D

I hope that helps.
 
I bought a small tanto from the exchange and it's my EDC. I like the tip strength of the blade and the straight profile.
 
All I can say is that I too have been really getting the urge to try a Tanto . Almost did the other day, but hesitated and it was gone. I figure why not give it a try. What can it hurt.
 
Tanto or no Tanto - It's obviously a personal choice.

I have a small Sebenza with a Tanto blade & I absolutely love it!!! The Tanto in the smaller size makes less of a visual impact & I think 'just works' with the small Sebenza.

My $ .02 worth
 
The tanto Zaan I bought from TNK five years ago has a convex edge. I didn't realize it had a convex when I bought it. The tip on a Zaan with tanto is

Very strong. I like a the regular blade shape on a CRK much better than a tanto.
 
I just bought a Sm Tanto 21 off the exchange. I'll post my first impressions when it arrives
 
Bluesummers said:
Why talk you into it? If you don't like the way it looks then it is not for you.
Click to expand...


Lovely knives Bluesummers, I appreciate you taking the time to post them, but your answer isn't really focused on what my original question was. Looks are on equal footing with usefulness with me. I wouldn't own a knife I didn't carry and enjoy using. I already like the way the Tanto looks, but am curious if it is functional in an EDC role. In particular if anyone finds good uses for the front grind on the blade. Basically I am trying to avoid purchasing one for its looks (which I like) just to find it's a gimmick, if that makes sense.
 
Unless you need a specific knife for cutting fish fillets or skinning a game animal I really don't see why you are asking since you probably know a tanto blade shape is primarily for piercing. It has a cutting edge and also a point for piercing. It serves no other purpose except to do those things any other knife I've owned and used is capable of for every day use/carry.

I would like to know what the use for the tip of this knife is supposed to be used for. If it were for chiseling why sharpen it?

 
Bluesummers said:
Unless you need a specific knife for cutting fish fillets or skinning a game animal I really don't see why you are asking since you probably know a tanto blade shape is primarily for piercing. It has a cutting edge and also a point for piercing. It serves no other purpose except to do those things any other knife I've owned and used is capable of for every day use/carry.

I would like to know what the use for the tip of this knife is supposed to be used for. If it were for chiseling why sharpen it?

Click to expand...

I'm not trying to pick an internet fight with you but I can safely say that all of the chisels in my tool box and apron are razor sharp. That knife, like most others, but especially that knife would be great for scraping. Since the corner of it is essentially a double edged blade it'd also excel at piercing- clamshell packaging beware :)
 
I've seen both sharpened and flat angled chisels without a cutting edge on them. I just prefer a chisel that isn't sharpened on both edges if it is going to be used like a chisel. Was more of a throw away question. I'll find some use on that area of the blade.
 
To digress back to the question, I bought a LG Tanto blade, and stuck it in my Reg., as I was curious… I really liked it, and found no dis=advantage. Kinda like the Insingo… Thought it was weird, carried it and loved it… get one, and if you don't love it , let it go….
 
One point is the, well, point. The Tanto has the strongest tip strength of the 3 Sebbie blade styles. Ice-pick? Would not use the std nor insingo if I have a tanto at hand (sm.micarta) Add it that it's as useful a slicer as an Insingo. Add to that the sweet spot where the 2 grinds come together another usefull part of this grind. While I love all my Sebenzas, and EDC all 3 blade styles, the Tanto sometimes performs above & beyond.

Your mileage may vary..
Mike B.
 
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