Tanto Blade Folders?

[bdmicarta]

I have a number of tantos. I didn't intend to have a lot of them, it just happened. I find that I like an EDC tanto with a lot of slope to the point because I like a keen point. One of my nicest looking tantos is this Spyderco Lum fixed blade. I don't know if I've ever seen a real Japanese tanto but this one looks to me like what I would expect a Japanese tanto to look like. It has a little curve in the cutting edge, a gradual transition to the point, and a somewhat keen point.

One of my favorite EDC's s this Benchmade 760. It doesn't have a real keen point and barely meets my criteria.

As for strength of the tanto blade- some tanto blades reach full blade thickness very close to the tip so it is easy to see how these tips can be pretty strong. But if you compare the 2 blades in this photo you can see that a spear point can be ground this way too.

Something that I do like about tantos is that the grind angles have an easy way of working out. There are 2 flat segments that meet the edge and the edge can be the desired thickness all the way down. Look at lots of hollow ground knives and you'll see that some have a hollow grind in one orientation, so where the curved edge meets the curve of the grind the thickness of the edge will vary. Lots of factory knives are like this and they tend to have thick edges at the point and are frequently ground at a steeper angle near the point. Look at the photo of this Vallotton and you can see how tanto-style grinds were incorporated on a curved blade to achieve a stronger point.

 

[DShiflet]

I dislike most American tantos, with the exception of some that are paired with a recurve. Wicked!

I'm not a fan of tantos from an aesthetic standpoint(they can be useful just not that attractive), but I find those recurve tantos absolutely hideous.

 

[NeverMore1701]

No worries, we can't all have good taste

 

[pbcg]

Old School Benchmade Red Line Vex tanto.. Really nice little knife. I like the angle of the tanto & the slight recurve. Very practical & useful design I think.

 

[Maniacal Pete]

I've only got one American Tanto, it's a Benchmade Auto.

I like it.

 

[Jamboi]

Old School Benchmade Red Line Vex tanto.. Really nice little knife. I like the angle of the tanto & the slight recurve. Very practical & useful design I think.

Definitely like that vex. Looks nice and simple design.

 

[Bloodydishtowel]

No worries, we can't all have good taste

Commenting purely on the sith quote in your sig, awesome.

 

[pbcg]

I've only got one American Tanto, it's a Benchmade Auto.

I like it.

Pete,

That AFOII you have is a beast of a knife. Surprisingly strong for an auto. Benchmade just did a test video of it and I was very impressed. I used to have one myself. Bought it just before I retired but gifted it to a very good friend. I'd say you have a great knife there. Definitely a keeper!

Nice Benchmade collection too by the way. The Rukus is and was my grail knife for a very long time. Nice score!

http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/356008908001/m/272000968001

 

[pbcg]

Jamboi,

The Vex is a really nice knife. They just seemed to make them 'right" back then. Very solid, reliable, strong well made knife. As you said great design and very useful. The Benchmade Red Line although a "budget" line really did produce several standouts.

They still pop up from time to time. If you see one, I say get it if you can.

 

[The_Iron_Joe]

Jamboi,

The Vex is a really nice knife. They just seemed to make them 'right" back then. Very solid, reliable, strong well made knife. As you said great design and very useful. The Benchmade Red Line although a "budget" line really did produce several standouts.

They still pop up from time to time. If you see one, I say get it if you can.

Only thing I don't like about mine is the goofy pocket clip... but I live with it

 

[Jamboi]

Jamboi,

The Vex is a really nice knife. They just seemed to make them 'right" back then. Very solid, reliable, strong well made knife. As you said great design and very useful. The Benchmade Red Line although a "budget" line really did produce several standouts.

They still pop up from time to time. If you see one, I say get it if you can.

I checked on that auction site and they are very affordable. Looks like they are making an hk version now.

Only thing I don't like about mine is the goofy pocket clip... but I live with it

I have often wondered why companies do not make interchangable clips for their knices. The clip is the only thing I don't like about my hk nitrous blitz, but can't find a deeper carry one for it. I got brave and tried to put a different clip on one of my kershaws one day, disaster.

 

[pbcg]

I actually think the pocket clip on the Vex is one of it's strong points. For me it conforms to the fingers very well. Makes for a secure, comfortable grip, but that's just me.

 

[pbcg]

Jamboi,

Be careful on that auction site. A lot of fakes poping up lately. A member recently posted a pic of one he got there. Get some good stock photo's first and have on hand to campare to make sure. The fake Vex models aren't too hard to spot if you have a copy or pic of the real thing to compare it too.

Just warning you as it just happened recently.

Best of luck though!

ETA: The HK versions of the Red class are pretty good too. I'd have no problem getting an HK one. Also, the HK Ascender is one of my all time fav's from that line. Very good quality and value for the price.

 

[pbcg]

I like the this Tanto version as well. Nice balance of the tanto tip and functional amount of belly. I think it works very well overall.

 

[Jamboi]

Thanks. The fakes do seem to be all over right now. I think I will try to stick to actual knife shops online from now on. I bought a gerber ultimate bear grylls knife for my son used and it turned out to be fake. It was so cheap I didn't worry with it. The guy I bought it from swore he didn't kniw it was fake either.

Jamboi,

Be careful on that auction site. A lot of fakes poping up lately. A member recently posted a pic of one he got there. Get some good stock photo's first and have on hand to campare to make sure. The fake Vex models aren't too hard to spot if you have a copy or pic of the real thing to compare it too.

Just warning you as it just happened recently.

Best of luck though!

ETA: The HK versions of the Red class are pretty good too. I'd have no problem getting an HK one. Also, the HK Ascender is one of my all time fav's from that line. Very good quality and value for the price.

 

[The_Iron_Joe]

I have often wondered why companies do not make interchangable clips for their knices. The clip is the only thing I don't like about my hk nitrous blitz, but can't find a deeper carry one for it. I got brave and tried to put a different clip on one of my kershaws one day, disaster.

I wonder if any custom knife makers would be willing to make a replacement clip for knives...

I actually think the pocket clip on the Vex is one of it's strong points. For me it conforms to the fingers very well. Makes for a secure, comfortable grip, but that's just me.

How the heck are you holding your Vex? The only way it conforms to my fingers is if it rests solely in my fingers-- not my palm. I tend to hold my knives at a slight angle towards my wrist... in this way, that middle bump of the clip actually rubs into the underside of my knuckles. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

EDIT: Wow, I just held my Vex, set up for right hand carry, in my left hand... it fits perfectly with my fingers AND rests in my palm. Maybe I should consider left pocket carry, then use it with my right hand...

 

[pbcg]

No, you aren't holding anything wrong lol. Slicing sideways for me it's more fingers or I should say back of the knuckles then palm and slicing downward it's part palm and back of fingers or knuckles like you say. That's how I hold it most comfortably.

I think the way I may have first described it sounded more like I was holding left handed.

Either way, I find the clip conforms to my grip and is an enhancement. But like I said that's just me.

 

[pbcg]

EDIT: Wow, I just held my Vex, set up for right hand carry, in my left hand... it fits perfectly with my fingers AND rests in my palm. Maybe I should consider left pocket carry, then use it with my right hand...[/QUOTE]

That's a cool idea actually. Hope it works for you. Like I said I find the clip really is an enhancement.

 

[The_Iron_Joe]

No, you aren't holding anything wrong lol. Slicing sideways for me it's more fingers or I should say back of the knuckles then palm and slicing downward it's part palm and back of fingers or knuckles like you say. That's how I hold it most comfortably.

I think the way I may have first described it sounded more like I was holding left handed.

Either way, I find the clip conforms to my grip and is an enhancement. But like I said that's just me.

You're right, it does feel a lot better when held in a pinch grip.

That's a cool idea actually. Hope it works for you. Like I said I find the clip really is an enhancement.

But now that I know it feels better in a pinch grip... haha

 

[chambelona59]

Greetings fellow Tanto folder owners, I'd like to purchase one of these two Tanto blade folders.
I'm familiar with the designer and the the company who makes them.
I own another knife also designed by Combative Edge also made by Fox in Italy made of the same steel which I'm very happy with.

I'm having a tough time making a decision which to purchase as they are both very nice.
It's not a question of "what will you be using it for", it's clearly designed as a true 'fighter' and not a camp knife.
And we all know that for "re-sale" everyone prefers a P.E. blade as opposed to a combo serrated blade.
I'm not considering re-sale.

I'm thinking if you found yourself in an emergency situation where you had to evacuate your home/apartment, found yourself in a post tornado/huricane or post flood situation in which possible public chaos/disorder may (or may not) ensue.... if you could only choose one of these knifes to have with you, thrown into your bag or pack, which one would you prefer P.E. or Combo SR.?

Both models of the SR11 are Titanium frame lock folding knives with a Tanto blade length of 3-5/8”, blade steel-N690co with DLC coating.
The handle comes in black G10.
The overall length is 8-1/2 inches and each one weighs 5 oz.