Tough choice to make.. need help..

cpirtle

cpirtle

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Mar 28, 2001
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I traditionally do not purchase part serrated knives or Tanto knives.

I have the opportunity to get a knife I have been after for a long time at an excellent price but my only choices are a plain edged Tanto or a part serrated clip point blade.

I know I can probably find the plain edged clip point elsewhere but it will cost me another $100 because the price I'm getting is so good.

With all of that in mind, what would you choose?

I am 100% on the fence and would like to hear arguments from all sides...

:confused:
 
I'd go with the plain tanto. I've never liked serrated edges, and tantos never really have bogged me down in utility work. I usually do slicing and chopping motions, and more usable blade is always a plus.

Of course, that's my opinion and I'm a knife-knut apprentice. Comes down to what you'd use it for...
 
Thats a tough decision. It really depends on what your going to be using the knife for. If a tanto or clip point would be more appropriate. If its going to be used hard then maybe you should be considering the tanto as it would be easier to sharpen. But then if you have a sharpener which can do serrations then there really is no problem. Its just up to what you think looks better. Could you possibly post pics of both tanto and clip point?

DB
 
I would give it a pass. Saving $100 on a knife you don't really like is not a bargain, don't talk yourself into doing this.
 
personally i'd get the Tanto over one with half serrations. If it's gonna be a general utility knife than either point will do. it sounds like it's a pretty expensive knife so if you don't like it you might be able to sell or trade it for at least what you paid for it. who knows you might find out that the tanto works out for you and you really like having something different. If not, than like I said you could always sell or trade it. It's just my opinion. it's waht I'd do. Good luck whatever youdecide to do

Brandon
 
I too would opt for the tanto. I have several blades in this design and find them very handy. I have no axe to grind with serrations other than difficulty in sharpening, but I like tantos.
 
Originally posted by stjames
I would give it a pass. Saving $100 on a knife you don't really like is not a bargain, don't talk yourself into doing this.
Click to expand...
Exactly my opinion.
 
stjames has great advice.

However, if I had to pick it would be theplain tanto as well. I think that tanto blades are for EDC chores every bit as useful as something like a clip point. Give the tanto a shot again and this time really put it through the paces to give it a real good evaluation for yourself. I did a good bit of trading this year and I learned a lot about blades that way. If it weren't for trading I would't have had a tanto yet to evaluate them myself. I liek the tanto tip.

Also, I saw on the gallery forum (I think) an M-16 tanto that was ground to make a drop point m-16! That was awesome. I'd take that over the spear point M-16 as the grind lien is higher, giving a better cut. All I am saying is that perhaps you can get the tanto modified (or do it yourself) later on if you want. If you are still on the fence later, don't buy anything. Put the $$ ion your drawer and save up for something you want.
 
Originally posted by stjames
I would give it a pass. Saving $100 on a knife you don't really like is not a bargain, don't talk yourself into doing this.
Click to expand...

I'm with stjames and Horus.

I feel your pain though- seems I can never find a plain edge version of a given knife in a sea of part serrated or tantos. Ugh- no thanks.

Firebat
 
I would pass on it. Wait and get what you really want. I've made this mistake too many times. You will end up with the one you want eventually anyway, so save the money towards getting it.

Paul
 
Passing on the deal seems to be the right thing to do. However, if the deal is that good, and you do like the knife, partial serrations are not that hard to deal with. I used to only like plain edge blades, but recently got a folder with partial serrations. I find that as long as I have at least 2/3s of the edge plain, I can live with it. In fact, I find myself using those serrations more and more to open boxes and cut rope and stuff. Stuff that would normally be hell on the plain edge.
 
I am like you and don't really like either the Tanto tip or serrated edge. I do however like my partly serrated Spyderco police and do not fing it difficult to sharpen. If I had to choose between the two it would be the serrated edge (unless the Tanto was a traditional tip), but I would probably pass on both and wait to get what I really wanted.
 
Both blade styles work for me, but I would probably opt for the partially serrated, provided the serrations were aggressive, ala, SpyderEdge. If you're getting that good a deal you can always trade later if it doesn't suit you, and not lose $. In the meantime, you'll have a new toy to fondle. :)
 
Do not buy knives that are not perfect for you!
As soon as you got it you will search for the "perfect one".
On the other way, isn`t this how every collection starts. :D

If it is a very good deal, buy it (or both) and use it for
a trade with the knife you really want.
But isn`t this the way how every collection starts? :D :D :D
 
Hallo bigbore,

Anerkennug für deine Messerseite, gut gemacht und teilweise außergewöhnliche Messer!
 
Hey all, thanks for the great advice!

I have been buying and selling knives in various degrees since I was a kid and know that I won't want to keep it if I'm not thrilled. Two things I have never kept in my collection are serrations and Tanto's.

Hmmmm, I think the decision is made then...

For everyone who's aksed, the knife is a Mission MPF Titanium. You may or may not know that mission had a batch of Ti blades ruined by a contractor and supply is short on the plain edge ones. I have a friend that can get me a great price on them but cannot get the plain edge....

I left the knife info a question because I wanted to keep the topic on track and not debate the merits of the knife or the blade steel ;)
 
I'd get the partially serrated clip point. Those serrations really come in handy and I'm sure you would find uses for them. Most of my knives are partially serrated and I prefer them. But then, I'm not into whittling ducks out of a block of wood. I've used the serrations for cutting rope and they saw through cardboard boxes like a hot knife through butter.
 
By the way, I LOVE your production modifications. I saw 'em a while back and swore I'd remember your name, but obviously I didn't. I know this is off topic, but I just had mention how much I liked your mods...nice work...
 
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