Tanto blades?

S

Spartanwarrior

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Oct 24, 2013
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107
Do you like them not like them I know they are like Japanese or something but is there a real use for them do they help performance or are the more cosmetic I would think they are harder to use in most situations especially with smaller blades, opinions?
 
Tanto is 90% fashion over function, unless you can use it for what it is. A tanto blade is a hybrid of a Wharncliffe blade (main cutting edge), and a kiridashi (tip edge). Tanto blades are also SUPER easy to sharpen if you use stones.
 
I made a modified tanto for a shop knife, my thought was it is a stronger design for prying open boxes and what not. I agree that in smaller knives they do seem harder to use. There are thoughts that the design is better for piercing, but the only thing I pierce is packing tape and rainbow trout. I do not own one yet, but Benchmade makes some really nice looking tanto folders that get great reviews.
 
They are absolutelly not my taste. I can´t really see the need to a bladeshape like this. I prefer blades with a belly - much better cutting performance.

Tanto is for stabbing - but this is something I don´t do...
 
Tantos are excellent for slashing and draw cuts, particularly if they're curved.
 
Th genuine Japanese Tanto is a size of knife not a blade shape, Katana is the larger sword, Wakizashi is the middle size and the Tanto is a short sword or large knife. What we get on most Tanto blades is the American Tanto, an adaptation of the original.
I like some of the bladeshapes that are called Tanto, thet have a very sharp blade at the transition and are easier to sharpen. I really like the newer grinds as well like the Hinderer Spanto, these different versions show blades are evolving.
 
I like tanto blades and have never run into an issue of 'blade shape' when using one.

I especially like the tanto lines on a cheap Gerber Evo of mine and the Emerson tanto.
 
Don't mean to derail the thread. What is the correct pronunciation of tanto? I hear it go both ways, "Tonto" like the Lone Ranger's buddy or "Tan toe" like you've been sunning your feet. I don't want to sound like a dip stick by saying it wrong.
I like the Otanashi noh ken , Hissatsu, and Heiho style tantos.
 
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Tantos continue to be viewed with utter disdain, or to some, as heaven sent.
Many have considered the defining purpose of a tanto as having a tip able to puncture a car hood...
In any instance, it a styling with martial connotation.
In short, primarily a tool idolised for unpleasant matters.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vHaTChCZFac
One could try to turn swords to ploughs
And it might work to some extend.
But in the end the power of popular culture has absolute hold on public opinion...
 
Another benefit is the you can two different cutting angles if you sharpen the main edge and the tip differently.
 
Not really my thing. I'm not really a tactical guy, and tanto shapes aren't too practical for EDC
 
The more angular tango common today is essentially the combination of a kiridashi and a wharncliffe. If you enjoy these two blade styles, you will probably like tantos.

Traditional tantos are quite different from the above.

That said, I don't find either style of tanto any better or worse for common knife tasks.
 
I don’t like the true tanto (as opposed to the reverse tanto). I have a ZT0700 which I never carry, but when doing my yard work I find the tanto very useful for slicing roots of weeds and plants beneath the soil. Also for me it’s a pain to sharpen on my Sharpmaker. The tanto in my opinion is on the ugly side of the beautyometer. I have no idea why I bought the ZT0700. On the other hand, the two reverse tantos I own are marvels of beauty, workmanship and functionality.
Each to their own said the old lady as she kissed the cow.
 
For the longest time I had the same opinions that seem to be popping up on this thread - tantos are ugly, suited to stabbing, impractical for EDC, etc. etc. But recently I saw someone on this forum raise the point that they are essentially a Wharncliffe with a second point, which you can save for delicate tasks. You can use it EXACTLY the same way you would a wharnie, using the "secondary point" rather than the tip. As a result, I decided to pick up my first tanto a few weeks ago (new Kershaw/Emerson collabs) and was floored at how genuinely useful the blade shape is. I'm still not a big fan of how they look, but I can't deny their usefulness. I suggest everyone at least try out a cheap beater tanto before denouncing them.
 
amg137 said:
For the longest time I had the same opinions that seem to be popping up on this thread - tantos are ugly, suited to stabbing, impractical for EDC, etc. etc. But recently I saw someone on this forum raise the point that they are essentially a Wharncliffe with a second point, which you can save for delicate tasks. You can use it EXACTLY the same way you would a wharnie, using the "secondary point" rather than the tip. As a result, I decided to pick up my first tanto a few weeks ago (new Kershaw/Emerson collabs) and was floored at how genuinely useful the blade shape is. I'm still not a big fan of how they look, but I can't deny their usefulness. I suggest everyone at least try out a cheap beater tanto before denouncing them.
Click to expand...

I've come to this exact conclusion as well. Don't care for the look, but used like this they suddenly become useful. Particularly if you sharpen the 2 edges at different angles.
 
Humppa said:
Tanto is for stabbing - but this is something I don´t do...
Click to expand...

Other blade tips work MUCH better for stabbing.

The tanto is good for precise cuts where the primary and secondary (tip) edges meet up.
That secondary edge near the tip is great for scraping uses as well. :thumbup:

I'd take a tanto for utility uses before picking it for fighting.
 
If you don't like the way they look though, that is a perfectly valid reason to avoid them. :)
 
I was never a big fan of the Tanto blade until I saw the Balisong (67) Benchmark. I just had to have one and of course they were out of stock. My wife said that knife you liked is available. I went to order it and laughed and said that didn't take long it's out of stock again. She laughed and said I think I got the last one. On 7/2/14 we celebrated our (37th) Annaversary. I really love that Women
 
(American) Tantos that most people know, popularized by Cold Steel owner Lynn C. Thompson are great for piercing. Some people love them some people don't. My first decent pocket knives was an original Cold Steel voyager tanto with a plastic pocket clip so they have a special place in my heart
 
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