I caught on to recurves when I bought one. It's like having a one serration blade - it keeps advancing the edge into the material, unlike a conventional blade that lets it recede; you have to keep tipping the handle up to keep the edge working into it. Most of what we cut isn't very big, so long slicing cuts that use a circular sweep aren't common.
I bought a Boker Folts Minimalist Tanto, and discovered it's an excellent cutter on the pull stroke. Another design I have seen are the drop point tanto recurves. Basically the tanto chisel point is laid down with a recurve behind it, giving you a straight edge forward section and the recurve in one blade. Essentially a dual grind, with a much finer point centered in the blade, giving superior penetration.
It results in a blade that almost looks inverted - which is actually quite common in blade patterns. Almost every one made has an inverted shape that is also used - skinner vs carpet, wharncliffe vs tanto, etc. A recurve tanto is basically a clip point upside down and reversed end to end.
Sometimes I get the feeling that the leading knifemaker designers just keep a eye out for what is the leading pattern on the market, flip it around, and then call it New! to make a name. There really is almost nothing in a knife blade that hasn't been done before, you just have to look and you will find it.
