I have been thinking about giving a modern tanto like Code 4 tanto a chance. Just want do discuss that kind of knives in general. What are the advantages compared to clip or drop point or are there any? I would think that sharpening a blade with a straight edge is straightforward, like a wharncliffe.
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What is the point (of a tanto point)
- Thread starter HFinn
- Start date
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaWUQXx7u9w
I think this is the most tacticool thing I can find.
Tacticool was not my point...
I think this is the most tacticool thing I can find.
Tacticool was not my point...
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It's primarily for martial use - the secondary point makes for a highly effective snap cut, pierces while cutting during a slashing stroke, and the primary tip is very strong due to spinal reinforcement. It's also very good at piercing.
Here's a test video from Andrew Demko and friend, employees of Cold Steel, who popularized and arguably invented the American Tanto. It's a three-parter, and is very extensive.
[video=youtube;bYozOCQM7CI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYozOCQM7CI[/video]
Knowing what I know now, I feel that most tanto tips that aren't from Cold Steel are pretty pointless since they often have swedges and weird tacticool crap to appeal to the uneducated. I won't buy a tanto point knife that isn't from Cold Steel.
Here's a test video from Andrew Demko and friend, employees of Cold Steel, who popularized and arguably invented the American Tanto. It's a three-parter, and is very extensive.
[video=youtube;bYozOCQM7CI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYozOCQM7CI[/video]
Knowing what I know now, I feel that most tanto tips that aren't from Cold Steel are pretty pointless since they often have swedges and weird tacticool crap to appeal to the uneducated. I won't buy a tanto point knife that isn't from Cold Steel.
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I like tantos for some occasions. I find it easier to get a consistent precise cut with an Americanized tanto versus a standard drop point. It's kind if like having one precision part of the blade, and another for saw type motions. It really depends on the grind though. The cornered bevel drop can make for some good deep quick cuts. I also find a thicker tanto will pierce deeper than a thick drop point, but that's kind of a was since most tanto blades are thicker than drop points.
It all comes down to the grind and what your usage is.
It all comes down to the grind and what your usage is.
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Some will tell you that the tip is stronger, Not really, It depends on the thickness of the spine at the tip and a few other factors of blade geometry.
The Tanto is a amercan invention, it showed up on the knife market about 25-30 years ago. That tip was on Japanese swords and pole arms prior to that, but not on the Tanto which translates to women's knife I am told.
Traditionally the Tanto had an upswept curved tip. I personally don't care for them for a few reasons, the first being that all of the pressure on a draw cut ends up on that bottom angle of the tip.
They don't really pierce any better that many other tips in my finding?
They do have that tacticool factor as mentioned, and fashion can drive the knife market to a large degree just like hem lines and heels in ladies fashion do.
The Tanto is a amercan invention, it showed up on the knife market about 25-30 years ago. That tip was on Japanese swords and pole arms prior to that, but not on the Tanto which translates to women's knife I am told.
Traditionally the Tanto had an upswept curved tip. I personally don't care for them for a few reasons, the first being that all of the pressure on a draw cut ends up on that bottom angle of the tip.
They don't really pierce any better that many other tips in my finding?
They do have that tacticool factor as mentioned, and fashion can drive the knife market to a large degree just like hem lines and heels in ladies fashion do.
pvicenzi
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Like every blade style that exists, there is a big difference in each individual knife. For example, my high hollow ground Loveless style drop point slices well, but is delicate if used for chopping while my BRK drop point is a bit thick for slicing, but holds up to chopping well. My point? A thick bladed Cold Steel style tanto shines in different areas than many of the others. I founf that an Emerson cqc7 worked well for me slicing sandwhiches and opening boxes while the front edge was very usefull for scraping.
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It has it's strengths and weaknesses. To me, the main advantage to a well designed american-style tanto is the differing grinds and cutting geometries. It allows a high, thin grind on the primary edge for slicing tasks while still giving you a stronger more obtuse secondary edge for tougher, more abusive cutting chores. I agree that the tanto isn't an inherently stronger tip than any other, but the spine of the blade is often left full thickness until the primary grind of the secondary edge begins, meaning that it is often stronger just because there's more steel behind it.
Some of the advantages I see in it also don't really come into play unless you're willing to do some things with your knife that many here would, perhaps rightfully, consider abuse. I've used my CS Voyager for light prying, chiseling, and as a scraper when necessary. The design facilitates these uses quite nicely, but you do run the risk of damaging the knife.
Some of the advantages I see in it also don't really come into play unless you're willing to do some things with your knife that many here would, perhaps rightfully, consider abuse. I've used my CS Voyager for light prying, chiseling, and as a scraper when necessary. The design facilitates these uses quite nicely, but you do run the risk of damaging the knife.
when you have blade type variations
on the handles of a particular said knife model;
a series is born.
this becomes a boon for collectors.
for users, they already know what's required for their need.
a tanto will probably always be associated with martial applications.
hence, a a blade type suited to individuals who consider it a form of weaponized knife.
the advantages are obvious for in puncturing certain materials.
but then again it depends on stock thickness as well.
the angular edges are easier to sharpen on stone when compared to curved or belly types.
fair warning though, if the force is strong in you,
the true warrior spirit will not let you rest until you own a tanto.
on the handles of a particular said knife model;
a series is born.
this becomes a boon for collectors.
for users, they already know what's required for their need.
a tanto will probably always be associated with martial applications.
hence, a a blade type suited to individuals who consider it a form of weaponized knife.
the advantages are obvious for in puncturing certain materials.
but then again it depends on stock thickness as well.
the angular edges are easier to sharpen on stone when compared to curved or belly types.
fair warning though, if the force is strong in you,
the true warrior spirit will not let you rest until you own a tanto.
To say the truth, the reason I took this up is that I am searching a knife for "martial applications". Things going south where I live and so on. I have been thinking of Spyderco Matriarch, Yojimbo 2 or some Cold steel tanto. My logic is as follows:
The staight edge might be easy to maintain. I do have knife training (escrima and other skills) and also unarmed training. If the situation goes bad, I want to discourage the attacker by cutting, not stabbing. Snap cut in the Demko video looked devastating. Still stabbing can't be ruled out, I dont want to limit my choises. Therefore Matriarch is secondary choise, also because I want to use the knife for utility too.
The staight edge might be easy to maintain. I do have knife training (escrima and other skills) and also unarmed training. If the situation goes bad, I want to discourage the attacker by cutting, not stabbing. Snap cut in the Demko video looked devastating. Still stabbing can't be ruled out, I dont want to limit my choises. Therefore Matriarch is secondary choise, also because I want to use the knife for utility too.
but having a fully serrated edge is...
it effectively tears and cuts away even the toughest of hides.
also eases the problem of constantly having to maintain a plain edge, nick-free and razor sharp.
it's goes without saying that whatever you choose,
it is only a means to an end.
so don't go over board with the tool.
even though we are throughly spoilt for choice.
it effectively tears and cuts away even the toughest of hides.
also eases the problem of constantly having to maintain a plain edge, nick-free and razor sharp.
it's goes without saying that whatever you choose,
it is only a means to an end.
so don't go over board with the tool.
even though we are throughly spoilt for choice.
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If you're going to use it for utility too, you can probably just pick the knife you like best for utility purposes. 99% of knives will work fine for cutting and stabbing if you're comfortable with them. You don't need a tanto point to effectively defend yourself.
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A tanto would probably be better than a Matriarch for that, since the Matriarch is not covered under warranty for use in utility tasks - it is build to be a weapon, and nothing else. The tanto, on the other hand, can still be used effectively as a tool, and it even has some uses that it's particularly suited for, like certain kinds of food prep, notch making, and a few other things.
Then there was the skull crusher pommel...
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Some are better than others, to dismiss them entirely based on your personal preference/bias is silly. I like Lum's take on them and I've found very few things my BM 760LFTi can't do as well as other knives I own. Perhaps I like them for getting people's panties in a bunch as well.