Tanto Vs. Hunter Point

[lagarto]

From looking at Tops knives, I have begun to question the versatility of the Tanto style blade. It seems as though it is more limited in what it can do than what they call the hunter's point,( a standard clip point I think) and also that they don't have a true tip on them. What do you all think, is there a decided advantage to one type or the other?
Lagarto

 

[Alberta Ed]

The Americanized "tanto" point is useful for utility tasks, piercing rigid stuff and is pretty strong compared to a clip point which tends to be more fragile (but better at piercing soft targets). The secondary tip where the point and the straight (or slightly curved) long edge meet is useful for slicing. That being said, it's probably not as useful as a drop point for opening game, although it would do if you had nothing else and used the right technique.

 

[Brian Jones]

Lagarto,

A tanto point is popular with military folks for the more, er, un-knife-like tasks needed to be performed, althought that secondary point is vicious during slashes to flesh as it digs deeper than a curved belly. Some argue it's easier to sharpen the straight edges than a curved belly.

I prefer the hunter's point for overall and outdoor use. That said, with some minor adjustments of technique, you can make an Americanized tanto shape do pretty much anything you want.

The 107 C by the way, has a straight edge curving up only at the belly towards the point -- not recurved like it seems in that one picture. Looks like bad photoshop work...

~B.

 

[Papa Travis]

Go to the Tutorial/FAQs setion and then to the Knowledge Base link, then to the Knife FAQ and then to the Blade Geometry section. You will find the education very useful as to different purposes for different blade style, their pro's and con's too. Good reading.

 

[J-man_the_jet]

I'm not a fan of Tantos. Expect for ones on Swords

Theres nothing a Drop point blade can't do that a Tanto or a Clip point can't. You just need the right techinque like Alberta Ed said.