Tanto Blade Folders?

I carried a Benchmade Stryker Tanto version (Early first and secon gen versions shown below) for years while on active duty and never once felt under or ill equipped as far as my cutting needs. I used it daily for a variety of different cutting tasks and always felt I had the right or adequate tool.

I personally like the Tanto blade and many of it's variants. I would also second the appreciation of Bob Lum and his designs. A true master, His genius was truly reflected in his designs.


 
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I want to rec two books.
Tanto: Japanese Knives and Knife Fighting, by Russ Maynard.
The Samurai Sword, by John Yumoto.
rolf
 
Not sure about any advantages or disadvantages but I will say that a tanto blade is by far and away my favorite blade design, first tanto blade I ever owned "and my favorite" is the CRKT Tighe breaker
It's just a wonderfully amazing little knife
 
pbcg said:
I carried a Benchmade Stryker Tanto version (Early first and secon gen versions shown below) for years while on active duty and never once felt under or ill equipped as far as my cutting needs. I used it daily for a variety of different cutting tasks and always felt I had the right or adequate tool.

I personally like the Tanto blade and many of it's variants. I would also second the appreciation of Bob Lum and his designs. A true master, His genius was truly reflected in his designs.

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Nice knives. I have a Nitrous Stryker Tanto myself, and I love that thing. I have used it for so many different things from breaking down cardboard, to scoring drywall, to stripping wire. It has never left me feeling that I need another knife. I only wish I could have scored one of the chisel ground ones. :(
 
RevDevil said:
Nice knives. I have a Nitrous Stryker Tanto myself, and I love that thing. I have used it for so many different things from breaking down cardboard, to scoring drywall, to stripping wire. It has never left me feeling that I need another knife. I only wish I could have scored one of the chisel ground ones. :(
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Thanks. My buddy who gave me the top one has one of the chisel ground ones too. During one of our "show and tell" sessions he let me handle it and you are right. Great blade. Really nice not to mention rare. One day I might have to try and offer him a trade for it but I don't think my chances are very good lol.

I've only heard really good thing's about the Nitrous Stryker you have. Never had one but wouldn't mind getting one if the opportunity arises.
 
I personally like the Razel blade shape better. It's basically an upside down Americanized Tanto, but it's so much more useful.
 
CWL said:
No. That is not what Japanese tantos were designed for. Tantos were utility knives and may occasionally have been used to cut heads off-of already dead Samurai, but were not used in combat.

You are talking about the Americanized Tanto design. Not that he was the person who introduced the Americanized Tanto design, but stabbing is what a certain rotund fella at CS claims they were designed for.

I don't see them as being any better in a folder design.
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I agree. My personal opinion, they offer nothing but goofy shapes that are just a pain to sharpen and a useless tip that wouldn't be better for stabbing than something like my smf. But many people seem to like them. To each their own. I think the blade shape on the sebenza 21 is perfect for edc. For hard use my choice would be a hinderer spanto
 
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KnottyEagle said:
Mainly because of the extra tip strength, but that's just about it.
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Oh little buddy, you've got loads of learning to do. ;)

kaosu04 said:
I agree. My personal opinion, they offer nothing but goofy shapes that are just a pain to sharpen and a useless tip that wouldn't be better for stabbing than something like my smf. But many people seem to like them. To each their own. I think the blade shape on the sebenza 21 is perfect for edc. For hard use my choice would be a hinderer spanto
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You brought up another thing that has never really made any sense to me. Why do people think it's somehow more difficult to sharpen 2 completely straight angles on any stone or system, over a leaf shaped blade? Makes no sense.
 
A tanto is very easy to sharpen in my opinion. I had 3 sog flash 2 tantos, partially serrated, that I rotated out for about a year. They were mainly used for stripping wire as I was doing A LOT of electrical work at the time. Loved the blade, hated the slow, weak assist. I guess to me a tanto blade is more of a pure tool. It was always like a beast in my electrical pouch, but seldom carried as an edc in my pocket.
 
Strength depends on the geometry of the point. The yoroi toshi was "designed" to punch through armor, leather armor, back then. So the yoroi toshi had a stronger point than a standard tanto.
 
RevDevil said:
You brought up another thing that has never really made any sense to me. Why do people think it's somehow more difficult to sharpen 2 completely straight angles on any stone or system, over a leaf shaped blade? Makes no sense.
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No idea why people think that either. The only thing easier is a sheepsfoot.
 
KnottyEagle said:
Are you trying to tell me in a nice way that a tanto bladed knife doesn't really have more tip strength, or a very little bit at least?
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Yes, the tanto really isn't any stronger than any other straight point. Aside from that, most the military I know keeps a folding knife for utility use, so piercing power is not really a high priority.
 
I have had a great experience with my only tanto folder, Benchmade 553 Griptilian, as an EDC. I find the secondary tip very useful for small day to day tasks...like cutting open boxes etc. And I too just like the way the modern tanto style blades look...just comes down to personal preference really...

GxuBoWO.jpg
 
IMO opinion it depends on the tanto shape. I have a kershaw zing tanto and I really like its blade shape. Now something like cold steel recon 1 tanto, the tanto is just to steep (if that make sense) and not very practical. Just my opinion.


 
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KnottyEagle said:
Are you trying to tell me in a nice way that a tanto bladed knife doesn't really have more tip strength, or a very little bit at least?
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It might have more strength, but to assume that you have no use for one blindly is really limiting. I don't stab through armor or packaging all day, but I find plenty of utility in the knife. A lot of people will tell you that certain knives are terrible because of a personal bias, but keep in mind that 50% of it is the ability use a tool, the other 50% is the tool itself.


blame it on god said:
No idea why people think that either. The only thing easier is a sheepsfoot.
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Agreed with that all the way. The Victorinox Electrician I use at work occasionally is very easily sharpened (the sheepsfoot blade) with the on a small pocket stone.
 
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