Tanto blade style for survival

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Loosearrow

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Apr 14, 2008
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Saw a couple of SOG knives in a pawnshop. One was a called a Pentagon, it was a double bladed dagger with one side a serrated blade. Not much more than a poker to me. The other one had the tanto blade and had a partial serration on it. I never thought of the tanto blade style as a do all survival knife. About the only chore this blade might not do well is skinning. The only blade I have with a tanto is a folder. Seems to have a strong point to it. Any views as a real bush worker? It is an old world style point. Worked back then.
 
If it is all you have, it will work fine. Always thought of it as a "piercing" design.

not my choice...but few ask me. :)
 
I started a thread similar to this a few weeks ago and there was a lot of good input. The overwhelming opinion that was it is not the style of blade that makes the difference in a survival situation so much as actually having a sharp, useful, cutting instrument.

I'd have to agree, while it may not be ideal, you can get a long just fine with a tanto in the field.
 
Most of the tantos out have been geared towards the "tactical" market and I've seen several Soldiers fall for it and quite a few carry a tanto bladed folder or fixed blade knife. It's really the skill of the user rather than the design of the knife that will make the most difference. A hunting buddy of mine used a small tanto for skinning deer; it had a nice swept blade and instead of a typcial swept belly to point, it had the point connecting the belly and tip which he really like when opening them up. It really comes down to technique and I just think the majority of outdoorsman prefer knives that have withstood the test of time where handling and bushcrafting techniques are both proven and for the most part, perfected. My Fehrman knives have almost a tanto shaped blade and I've hand no problems with most tasks. I do agree that the tanto is reputed to have a "piercing tip" that does come in useful outdoors, but I don't think it's any stronger or better designed than a decent spear or drop-point bladed knife.

As to the serrations, I would pass. They are useful, but not too much for outdoors tasks. If I feel the need for a serrated edge, I'll carry a seperate folder for that purpose (i.e. Spyderco).

ROCK6
 
I have an old SOG Tsunami that I keep for sentimental reasons, but I don't generally like knives with serrations (especially fixed blades).

With regards to the "americanized tanto" in general, I don't use one myself. However, Ron Hood seems to make good use of his tanto Anaconda, and the man knows an awful lot more than I with regards to outdoor survival.
 
I the CS Recon Tanto has worked very well for me. I have used it for about 15 years now.
 
I've used my CRKT first strike tanto as an outdoors knife. It was the only good fixed blade that fit the bill until I found an old Kabar in my grandpa's garage. It still comes along sometimes. It did everything I asked of it (I never skinned with it thought). The first strike spine is really thick so it worked well for batoning. The handle wasn't super comfortable and it had a "skull crusher" pommel that would dig into my side when it was on my belt. Otherwise it was a good knife. I currently have it stashed in my car. If the price is right I say give it a shot.
 
My CS Recon Tanto is a great chopper. Long, thick blade, and a comfortable grip. Long ago I added a lanyard of 550 cord. As the biggest knife I own, it comes in handy for collecting branches for my carving projects.
 
I think it's all a matter of what you're used to and what skills you have acquired with whatever design you have.
 
while the blade shape may not be optimized, a tanto pattern does have one advantage that iv noticed.

many tactical models have a chisel ground edge. Thats not the greatest for bush craft, but it has one advantage. On an American pattern Tanto, it gives you a short, strait, thick leading edge with a chisel grind. Thats EXACTLY like a woodworking chisel. You can use this to accomplish a lot of detail work that many other knives would have a hard time doing.

now, MOST bush craft wood working is pretty hack and slash, but if you ever needed to make something with closely fitted wooden parts, a Tanto could make the job a lot easier. For example: if you were making a more permanent structure and wanted to fit two posts or supports together with a joint. I know its a stretch, and its a long one, but in some niche circumstances it could pay off.
 
I believe if it is the only blade that you have - it will be fine. They have a strong tip, which may help if you are in need of digging into wood, or perhaps something attacks you. However, I do not consider it the ideal knife for any type of bushcraft. Its' main purpose was for tacticality, or use as a defensive weapon. (Or so I have been told by many of the "experts" at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops.) If the blade has enough heft to it, I suppose it may be a decent chopper, given the limitations of the size of the blade itself. Also, I believe that if the grind is good for it, they could be good for being batoned as well. (What type of grind is usually used on Tantos? I don't have any - don't really like the blade shape)

Camp chores is what it really wouldn't be to great at. The shape of the blade isn't very ideal for cutting many things. It doesn't have the curve that I like to effectively slice anything. Of course, you could always make due, I just find that one knife for everything is a bit much, and a Tanto is definately not meant for tomato slicing.
 
Its true any good blade can be a survival knife, keep in mind some are better than others though. Unless the knives re substantially cheaper than what you could get if it was new, I would pass. The only tanto that I would purchase and use as a survival knife situation is a cold steel gi tanto, its ugly and cheap as dirt but takes a beaten. Don't get me wrong SOG makes high quality knives, I'm all about getting the best bang for the buck.

The secondary point on a tanto tends to wear down rapidly, many of the tanto out there there very little if any belly which aren't as efficient compared to knives with a bit of a belly. If you like the way it looks and price is right go for it. If you are indifferent with the way it looks and its not dirt cheap than there are lots of better options out there.
 
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