Tanto VS "traditional" style blades.

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TheMightyGoat

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Usually whenever a knife has a second available blade style, it's tanto. Well, what is tanto good for that the more "traditional" styles aren't? Is there a difference in preformance, or is it just a matter of personal taste?
 
I don't personally have a tanto syled knife, but it seemes that the advantage is that you have two seperate points on the knife at different angles, so that you can almost use it as a single serration.
 
The "Americanized" tanto's only good point...is the point... The point is reinforced, making it a better blade if you want a "sharpened crowbar". For EDC a clippoint, spearpoint, droppoint, wharncliffe(sp?), and many other blade styles would do alot better. They give more belly and pointier tips. Which is what a knife is for...(Except the wharncliffe.)

The reason you see them availible as a seconed bladestyle is because many non-knife people think they look cooler. (Actually there are some knife-nuts here who love them, but the majority would disagree.)

Hope that helps Goat.
-Kevin
 
Chisel ground Tantos make the best shaver/slicers and with the reinforced tip the make superb stickers, and the best part of a Chisel Ground Tanto, half the stone time.

Tanto style blades I'm carrying today:

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CRKT M16 FD14

Nealy Aikuchi

SOG X42 Autoclip
 
I agree with the ease of sharpening. Also, the straight edge makes for a great slicer - like the straight portion of the wharncliff, a lot of edge stays against the medium as you bear down on it. Though, inch for inch the wharncliff is a better choice.

I also really like the forward edge for scraping stuff off or smooth surfaces.

However, I will admit that regular drop and clip point blades with a belly have more general utility. This is why I only have one tanto bladed folder and one fixed blade in this style.
 
When I'm dressed, I have a tanto fixed (spyderco fb03 lum tanto) on me. I use it all day at work, punching air holes in 4mm plastic wrap as I pack.

I occasionally switch over to my other fixed, such as my 4" skinner, when I want belly on my fixed. It's an americanized tanto, double hollow ground, aus-8... but it works.
 
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