Who likes tanto, and why?

O

oguruma

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Jan 3, 2010
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I'm just curious, who here is into tanto points? And for what purposes? My favorite blade shape will probably always be drop-point or modified drop point. To me, tanto seems like a poor slice since the larger portion of the blade is straight (usually).

What is your take on it?
 
i personally don't like it. it would make a good stabber, as that's what it was designed for. on folders a lot of tactical looking blades have tanto points, so if your more into the tactical look i could see how you find them aesthetically pleasing, but the performance does nothing for me.
 
I bought a tanto folder and a tanto fb once, they were pretty much worthless for mÝ edc and everyday use purposes.
 
I like some of Strider's Tantos and Cold Steels.

I prefer Drop Points though.
 
I have a few Japanese style tanto blades in my collection. I like the look, but for what I use my knives for I doubt I would find a tanto style useful.

Kevin
 
I presume it has to do with aesthetic appeal. It's practical application is for fighting, but I'm sure that's not the majority of the tanto blades sold end up doing.

Personally I find the traditional Japanese tanto shape pleasing to the eye. The american chisel version does nothing for me.
 
The chisel tip is useful for food preparation, particularly for fish. I don't know if it was historically designed for this purpose or not, but if you get your hands on a chisel-tipped sushi knife you'll find out exactly what to use it for.

I know that there were armor-piercing kissaki designs from feudal Japan that were shorter and less integral with the rest of the cutting edge. But I don't recall ever seeing a traditional kissaki that was a completely separate cutting edge, like modern chisel tip designs. So while I can say it may serve as an "armor piercing" design feature I don't know if that concept was ever battle tested and compared with other kissaki types for efficiency and effectiveness.
 
I only like them on balisongs and fixed blades. I don't like them
on folders generally. I like the look of them on balis/fixed.
 
I perfer a drop point in my edc blades, but I have an carry some tanto blades for edc an to me there like sheep foot blades with a point.
 
i really only like the CQC-7B for tanto stuff...i may or may not pick one up sometime:D
 
Tanto is a purely aesthetic thing for me. I dont own one yet, but the tactical look cant be beat. Im more interested in tacticool than tactical these days, so there ya go....:)
 
oguruma said:
To me, tanto seems like a poor slice since the larger portion of the blade is straight (usually).

What is your take on it?
Click to expand...

I guess that would depend on if you intended to slice tomatoes or thickly lacquered Samuri armor that can be more difficult than Kevlar to cut through.
Unlike many modern tantos the traditional Japanese blades didn't have a long "straight" section. That portion of the blade is actually a subtle curve.
Watch a Japanese swordsman use a Katana and you'll see that the blade, the grip and the stroke is a beautiful wicked slice, not a chop. The shorter swords and knives followed the same design for the most part.
As far as the impracticality of a straight edge, I'll leave it up to the legion of Wharncliffe lovers to debate that with you.
Whatever...just look at the Emerson CQC7 and tell me that sucker doesn't trigger a little shiver of recognition deep down inside.
That's reason enough for me.

CP
 
I find the tanto to be an attractive blade style and if you are just using the primary flat for cutting, it is easy to forget that you are using a tanto. In fact, I just ordered a 5" Cold Steel Gunsite tanto to keep my 4" company. All things being equal however, I still prefer a PE clip point.
 
I love tanto blades myself. Not the so called "American tanto", but the one with a bit of belly. Although it is purposely designed for combat - or so they say, I found the strong tip especially useful for outdoors (strange, huh?).
 
There is tanto and there is what I call wedge. Most knives in the states are wedges that they call tanto. They're all American tantos, which I despise.

I like the late Bob Lum's hamaguri tipped tantos. You'd have to go custom to find any tantos with that resemblance. I guess the BM tanto framelock comes close...but not quite.

fixed3.jpg
Bob Lum tanto.
 
My 12 yr. old son likes tanto blades. I have no reason for that blade shape. I do not need to penetrate body armor with my knives, at least that situation has not presented itself yet as I slice cardboard to fit in the recycling bin. If I am ever attacked by a person with body armor in my backyard, my position may change.
 
I was into them for awhile back in the 80s,not so much anymore.Still have an old C.S.Master Tanto w/brass hardwear.Have'nt bought a Tanto styled blade in over 20 years.
 
I've enjoyed my Benchmade Mini-Stryker quite a bit. I've carried it pretty often over the last few years and for day-to-day stuff, the shape never posed a problem. The long, straight section is easy to sharpen and I can whittle with ease since I usually use the straight portion within an inch or so of the pivot. The tip section acts like a heavy-duty x-acto blade and can chop small things precisely. The Benchmade isn't too thick to be used effectively and the point is easy to slip into the corner of an envelope or mailer which is what I mainly use my edc knives for.
 
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