To Tanto or not to Tanto?

C

clip point

Joined
Nov 14, 1998
Messages
213
Say that five times real fast... ; )

Hey all-

I could use the help of some fellow Sebenza enthusiasts.

I've owned both a large and small Sebenza in the past. Like an idiot, I sold or traded them both. I want to get another large, but I'm not sure whether to go with the regular large Sebbie or the Tanto, which I've recently seen.

I've heard the Tanto isn't really a "user" but why? I usually don't go for tantos of any sort so I don't have much experience with them. But I really like the looks of the Tanto Large, plus it's unique and limited. I'm familiar with the 'normal' 'benza blade, which seemed to work well enough.

I'd go for a Large Decorated, but all I can find is "the fly" which doesn't do it for me at all. So what do you guys think? I don't plan on using it for more than basic chores and carry, as I live in the city. No animal skinning or wood chopping and the like. I'd appreciate any input you might have.

Thanks-

clip
 
I'm ashamed to say that I was one of the first to make negative comments about the Tanto Sebenza. It seemed a gimmick to me, better left to the Microtech-Batman and Robin knife crowd. Why would a company that makes real knives, tough knives, knives meant to be used make such a knife? I chuckled the same way I do when I see someone ask "When are you going to make an auto Sebenza?; or better yet, a DA Benz.

Anyway, I already owned 3, two plain larges and an old style handle with no clip or cutout and a BG42 retrofitted blade with a polished grind. I'm not into the decorated stuff, I had a fly for a week and sold it, so I pretty much had the bases covered. Then my buddy Fish was selling his, and as I had just sold a couple of knives myself, I figured I'd go for it.

It has all of the qualities that make the Sebenza great-best lock on the planet, one of the best blade materials, a "semi-decorated handle" and one of the most perfectly ground blades I've seen yet. The tip itself appears to be convex ground, and thus, very strong, the belly is usable and it has the usual sticky sharp CRK edge. It is an extremely impressive knife and nowhere near as silly as I once thought. Still not as utilitarian as the perfect belly and geometry of the drop point, but a great knife in its own right.

Bottom line-can't go wrong either way.
pojim
 
Thanks pojim-

I guess I just want to be sure that it's going to live up to my expectations.

Because of the tanto blade, would that make it harder to resharpen as opposed to the standard blade? Is there some special consideration when sharpening tantos?

clip
 
Clip, when sharpening that style of Tanto you might be better off to do it in two moves, first sharpen the main edge and then work the tip as a separate section to keep the angles clean. I like tantos, this one didn't flip that button that said buy to me, felt lucky in that respect. The Tanto tip on this style can be handy to use in scraping stuff, otherwise I'd go with the regular Benza blade shape or their up coming Wharncliff pattern....(wishful thinking might pay off?)
wink.gif


These are a limited series of 400? As you pointed out so using them might not be prudent if bought in that light.
G2

------------------
"There are no dangerous weapons;
there are only dangerous men."
.......... Robert A. Heinlein, 1959


G2 Leatherworks
 
clip, i just recently got a tanto sebenza.i don't think you can go wrong.i use mine every day.i spoke with CRK the other day and they said i should certainly use it... they could always fix whatever i mess up!! i also have a lg. lefty and a project I coming.i like the tanto as much as the clip point for general use.you get a semi-decorated knife, a limited blade and knife for only 35.00 more than a regular clip.just my opinion...but BUY IT AND USE IT.russ aka bladezealot
 
I would like a real explanation as to why a tanto edge is not a good "user". What can't you do with a tanto that you can do with a regular style blade. Are people against them because they are harder to sharpen?

I have carried and used a BM Stryker (modified tanto)and it has been able to do any task asked of it. The tanto tip on it is great for making precision x-acto type cuts. Also, when using the blade on a cutting board, only the intersection of the two edges drags on the board. The rest of the edge only contacts what I need cut--thus the edge as a whole stays sharper for a longer period of time.

jc
 
Darn Guys, I had just about talked myself into taking this one off my want list and you are going all out to change my mind.
 
I didn't bother going through this discussion before I ordered my Tanto Sebenza today. I own a large wood inlayed and a small decorated one. The small one is my pocket carry knife, but the larger one is left alone on display. I used the small one this year to gut a deer my wife shot. It worked OK, but I felt that the larger one would have made the task easier. This is the reason for buying the tanto. I feel that the different blade shape will allow for better penatration and it should have a sturdier tip. Also the knife is only about $360 bucks decorated. Not bad for a custom large Sebenza. Just because something is labeled "collector item", does not mean don't use it!!!Any comments are welcome. RW
 
I didn't bother going through this discussion before I ordered my Tanto Sebenza today. I own a large wood inlayed and a small decorated one. The small one is my pocket carry knife, but the larger one is left alone on display. I used the small one this year to gut a deer my wife shot. It worked OK, but I felt that the larger one would have made the task easier. This is the reason for buying the tanto. I feel that the different blade shape will allow for better penatration and it should have a sturdier tip. Also the knife is only about $360 bucks decorated. Not bad for a custom large Sebenza. Just because something is labeled "collector item", does not mean don't use it!!!Any comments are welcome. RW
 
I didn't realize that you could still get the Tanto Sebenza's, I thought that they would all be long gone.

Do you think I'll be able to get one at the Blade Show ?

JD
 
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