Why people hate on tantos?

[LostCause]

I went to woods in the wild with friend and some people my friend usually goes with, and I took my Recon Tanto instead of AK47 field knife, to give that thing some use.

And long story short, I had several guys asking me why am I having a tanto or why not SRK? I was even suggested to get a garberg like some other guy, or at least that black/orange companion knife.

The biggest irony is, nobody of us even needed to use a knife for anything (even the meat was pre-cut and spiced). Everyone who did use a knife did so just to use a knife. And to make it better - you can do all of that shit with a tanto too.

Tanto knife is still a knife and cuts like a knife should. So why so much hate?

 

[TheEdge01]

Because they didn’t have a tanto, or wanted to prove that they knew more about knives than you.

 

[Drop bear]

Because everyone thinks they are going to process an animal or build a house.

 

[eveled]

I personally don’t like tantos, but don’t hate them, and certainly don’t judge those who like them.

I use the sweeping belly of the blade for a lot of my cuts. For example skinning an animal would be tough with a tanto. Also cutting on a cutting board I use it like a mini ULU.

I’m surprised so many of the other people had large knives too. I rarely see other people with knives.

People never criticize me or my choices to my face. I think maybe I put off a vibe that says I don’t care what they think? IDK.

 

[Drop bear]

Here is my theory. Sort of. A folding knife will do almost all the cutting jobs you might need in the bush. But what it won't do is smash peirce and pry.

So a refined belly on the folder. Tanto on the fixed blade.

 

[DangerZone98]

Tanto man here. I like the design and the reinforced tip. That’s about it.

You can like something and understand its limitations at the same time. I don’t skin game, prep food, or carve with tantos. Mostly just use ‘em to open boxes, lol. If other knife guys moan and groan about your impractical knife, just consider it as entertainment.

 

[LostCause]

I’m surprised so many of the other people had large knives too. I rarely see other people with knives.

1 garberg, one that I don't know what it is and few orange/black moras on group of 10+ people.

 

[LostCause]

Tanto man here. I like the design and the reinforced tip. That’s about it.

You can like something and understand its limitations at the same time. I don’t skin game, prep food, or carve with tantos. Mostly just use ‘em to open boxes, lol. If other knife guys moan and groan about your impractical knife, just consider it as entertainment.

Yeah bro. I might join hunting/bushcraft/hiking groups more often and then carry a tanto on purpose

 

[eveled]

Here is my theory. Sort of. A folding knife will do almost all the cutting jobs you might need in the bush. But what it won't do is smash peirce and pry.

So a refined belly on the folder. Tanto on the fixed blade.

I have a similar approach. No point in carrying multiple sizes of the same blade shape.

Belly on my fixed blade sheepsfoot on my pocket knife. They perform very different tasks well. Smashing is done with the pommel of the fixed blade. Prying with a mini pry bar.

 

[Hashishiin]

I think the mall ninja stigma has something to do with it as there was always the one guy showing his off going "trusht me bro, this is the most deadliest knife, it can break through any armor bro" from some walking cheeseburger

However they have used
They have ideally a strong tip if you need to do things like pry plastic trom a price gun and dont have your SAK for some reason, or dig or a great mango things I dont wanna do with my Native Chief, Police, PM2/3 or even my SAK and i have but do not like to. My Voyager XL has a tough but thin hollow grind but a tip as strong as a chisel.

Also, the large majority of trh blade is similar to Wharnies and sheepsfoot which I enjoy.

Not my EDC but glad they exist.

 

[LostCause]

IMO it makes sense too. I have Candiru for all small stuff I could need a knife for, and then a tanto because I like tanto shape and in all reality it still cuts and does stuff, is strong and you can even pry with it.

The guys weren't really making fun of me, but it was more like "Listen to me, I know better" which itself is kinda strange.

 

[Wolverine666]

To each their own. I like tantos , personally. But I prefer drop points 9 times out of 10. Depends on the knife.

 

[Mick Boardman]

I sure do like my Carothers DEK2 and it’s tanto blade, absolutely my choice for SHTF IWB carry. This knife would have no problem cleaning a couple deer and still be sharp. Chance of breaking the tip is pretty much nonexistent. I always take a second look at tanto blades, they a cut above the others.

 

[jfk1110]

Most tanto blades don't do it for me.... However, there are a few that I do like.....The Emerson Roadhouse is probably the best ever in my eyes.....UpKnife has a nice style to their blade too......There's also nothing like a Terzuola tanto..............

I guess my preference is for curves as opposed to angles on my blades

 

[Bob Denman]

"Hating on tantos"?
I think you're a prisoner of 2 thoughts...

 

[eveled]

They have an outdated 90’s vibe to them, but so do I.

I actually have a work knife I turned into a tanto in order to scrape stickers. The tanto part is only sharpened on one side.

 

[VorpelSword]

I do not" hate on" tantos, but I do not find that blade profile esthetically pleasing.

In looking at pictures of genuine historic Japanese knives, my eyes do not see that characteristic straight edge ofen thought of as a tanto point though. Most historic tantos see seem to have a more curved "pint edge" . . .to my eyes.

In ayn case, I have no real or perceived need for a reinforced point for piercing 55 gallon drums. I rather like more belly to the front end of a knife.

 

[VorpelSword]

In thinking this over some more (more coffee), it occures to me that most other warrior cultures did not also adopt a tanto-like point for swords or knives. Even the Persian Khyber or Pesh-Kabaz knives, while designed for piercing mail armor, do not have a tanto-style point, but rather an acquit point reinforced with a t-spine.

Someone please correct me if I have the nomenclature wrong.

 

[950SBK Rift]

My only thing I have against them is sharpening. My OCD kicks in at keeping the lines perfect. The closest I come to them are my Spantos by Hinderer. All of my ceramic are rods making it hard to sharpen a tanto. The sharpening systems I use are for a reason, mostly portable, self contained, easy to use in the field. I do not want to carry two different systems because I have two different blade types.

 

[mitchnola]

Most tanto blades don't do it for me.... However, there are a few that I do like.....The Emerson Roadhouse is probably the best ever in my eyes.....UpKnife has a nice style to their blade too......There's also nothing like a Terzuola tanto..............

I guess my preference is for curves as opposed to angles on my blades

Roadhouse is my all time favorite tanto as well!