Tanto vs. Point blade

Interesting thing is that the "American tanto" needs that name to make it clear that the Japanese didn't (hardly ever) use that pattern on their short swords (tantos). They found what we are calling "pointy" worked better.

But what would they know about using a blade as a weapon? :D
 
My EDC for about 2 years now has been a CRKT cruiser. I'm not sure about the blade shape, but its not a tanto, thats for sure. I just bought an emerson something or other with a tanto blade. And i think i found my new EDC, for a while anyway. For my uses a tanto will work just fine. Scraping, cutting twine, rope, light prying etc.
 
American Tanto's are just a wharncliff to the yokoto(where the edges meet)with an angled chisel for the tip. A wharncliff with an extra edge.I see these Tanto threads all the time, but nobody ever says a wharncliff is usless for utility. I carry a Super-7 and a Native. I've never had a problem with any of my tanto's for anything. and I find being able to scrape and pry a benifit. There is a deference to a nice deep bellied drop point, but I find a tanto will take on EDC tasks just fine. I wouldn't want to take it to skin an animal, unless I had to. Hence the native. Tantos are made for stabbing mostly I think. It gives me excuses to buy a bunch of different knives for different things,but really a knife will cut things as long as it's sharp.
 
The major advantage of the "tanto" shape is the reinforced point. This shape is good for stabbing someone who is wearing armor, but is inferior to other blade shapes for almost anything else you would need a knife for. Even then, as noted above, the vast majority of Japanese tantos were not "tanto" shaped.
 
What we have learned: tantos are not a utility shape, are considered a stabbing or piercing type blade, are considered a weapon more than a tool, and are not viewed in a positive light by police, HR, or the buying public.

Maybe I'm inferring too much. But I do notice tanto SnG's on the resale market take a lot longer to sell. And my CQC7 is parked in the drawer because it doesn't cut as well as others. This might have a lot to do with the accompanying chisel grind that is part of most tantos, but the CRKT M1 with modified tanto is right next to it, in V grind.

They just don't cut it for me. :D
 
I personally don't like tantos much for EDC stuff. I especially don't like tantos with no belly.
I would think a wharncliffe is a better EDC blade because the point is dropped and can be used for delicate work. Tantos may just be wharncliffes with an extra edge, but that extra edge brings the tip up so delicate tip work is less comfortable to do.
 
ehhh said:
I personally don't like tantos much for EDC stuff. I especially don't like tantos with no belly.
I would think a wharncliffe is a better EDC blade because the point is dropped and can be used for delicate work. Tantos may just be wharncliffes with an extra edge, but that extra edge brings the tip up so delicate tip work is less comfortable to do.
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tirod3 said:
What we have learned: tantos are not a utility shape, are considered a stabbing or piercing type blade, are considered a weapon more than a tool, and are not viewed in a positive light by police, HR, or the buying public.
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I have to agree with these staments. Very well put people:thumbup: .

Maybe I'm inferring too much. But I do notice tanto SnG's on the resale market take a lot longer to sell. And my CQC7 is parked in the drawer because it doesn't cut as well as others. This might have a lot to do with the accompanying chisel grind that is part of most tantos, but the CRKT M1 with modified tanto is right next to it, in V grind.

They just don't cut it for me.
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I think you have to also consider that Striders are pretty much made for combat purposes along with utility, of course. Tantos fit in perfectly for their market.
 
I have drop point, clip point, wharncliff and tanto style. People are all different what they prefer.

I actually find tanto very good for cutting open anything with the double tip. I suggest buying a Cold Steel voyager 4" tanto you can find them inexpensive on the web and see for yourself :thumbup:
 
To me, this is the logical conclusion of the tanto-style blade. I'd love to have one.

get.php
 
fudo said:
The major advantage of the "tanto" shape is the reinforced point. This shape is good for stabbing someone who is wearing armor, but is inferior to other blade shapes for almost anything else you would need a knife for. Even then, as noted above, the vast majority of Japanese tantos were not "tanto" shaped.
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How so?
Could you be more specific as to how and why a "normal" blade would have worked better for you, when you were using the tanto. And were the tanto an American tanto or did it have more of a curve to it ?
 
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