Why people hate on tantos?

[elasmonut]

Tanto designs often have steep thick grinds, designed to resist chipping, in "combat". The two edges can be more difficult to sharpen. For field/camp use I prefer thin blades with flat grinds that cut with less effort, I dont often have to punch through or cut against armour.
I feel that a lot of tanto designs are made less effective with the thick secondary bevels. A tanto design to me should be like a scandi grind on a blade thick enough for abuse.
I'd rather a 2mm machete with a "scandi" edge than a 6mm sabre grind that is 2mm thick behind the edge, for most camp/field chores.

 

[jux t]

I mainly like tanto blades on folders, all of my tantos have hollow grinds like this Code 4:

I’m not a fan of tantos than are thick behind the edge. With knives like the Code 4, you get a sturdy tip while the rest of the blade is thin behind the edge and slices well. Sharpening these freehanded is a breeze.

 

[PsychoSword]

Different blades and grinds are just better for different things, but there are just some knifes that cry out for a tanto blade. When I bought my Cold Steel Recon 1 it had to be a tanto blade. The same for my Cold Steel Code 4.

I really like tanto (Americanized version) blades a lot, but you bring up a good example here of knives I do not like them on. I believe the AD10 is not a knife that should have a tanto blade, and I really dislike that version. I have the drop point version in your picture and I believe that is what the AD10 should be all about. It's an EDC, but also made to be a very capable field knife if necessary that you can carry in a coat pocket. I had a Recon 1 with the tanto blade years ago just like that and I liked it a lot, but I just didn't find the super tight pocket clip to be very good, so it was hard to carry. I ended up selling it because of the pocket clip, not the tanto blade.

 

[Wharn]

Maybe because they have never experienced a CRK or Lum Tanto? I find Tantos extremely appealing and useful.

 

[LostCause]

From my usage of a tanto - so far I really like it. I don't plan on selling it or getting rid of it. I even want one more

Prefferably small one for EDC.

 

[DangerZone98]

Tanto designs often have steep thick grinds, designed to resist chipping, in "combat". The two edges can be more difficult to sharpen. For field/camp use I prefer thin blades with flat grinds that cut with less effort, I dont often have to punch through or cut against armour.
I feel that a lot of tanto designs are made less effective with the thick secondary bevels. A tanto design to me should be like a scandi grind on a blade thick enough for abuse.
I'd rather a 2mm machete with a "scandi" edge than a 6mm sabre grind that is 2mm thick behind the edge, for most camp/field chores.

The “cheat code” for tantos would be something like the Spyderco Sharpmaker. Or the Lansky V-Sticks sharpener if you’re a cheapskate like me. Just stop right before the points to avoid rounding your points.

I have no idea how to make a whetstone work with a tanto.

 

[Steven65]

No hate here.........

 

[LimpCroissant]

This is my favorite tanto at this particular point in time. I really like the slight belly in both the main edge, and the tip edge. The edge has a very handy shape and I could still use it to skin a rabbit if I needed, and honestly it'd probably work better than a drop point for hollowing out a wooden spoon like was mentioned here. I just really like it. This isn't a standard american tanto shape, however I find wharncliffes and american tantos to be the easiest blades to sharpen (for myself). Just nice and easy, hold your angle consistent, and sharpen two straight edges. No compensating for the belly or any curves.

 

[elasmonut]

The “cheat code” for tantos would be something like the Spyderco Sharpmaker. Or the Lansky V-Sticks sharpener if you’re a cheapskate like me. Just stop right before the points to avoid rounding your points.

I have no idea how to make a whetstone work with a tanto.

Its not that hard, its just two seperate bevels, but its quite different to a curved tip.

 

[LimpCroissant]

Damn. I'm a pretty cool uncle with great stories, no tattoos, and rode a Honda. Some people just don't like, or can't handle that energy.

I had a meet up with the Outlaws (1 %er group) down in South Fl with my spanking new ST1100 back in 1994...and when one of them walked up to check out my bike I thought, "here we go", but he ended up admiring the bike and wishing me good luck with it. I guess he appreciated another brother of the road. (And I didn't volunteer that I was a "Fed".)

Oh boy, a fed on a Honda. That ought to go about like a turd in a fishbowl . No I'm just playing. Most guys in motorcycle clubs that I've met are pretty cool and accepting, except for a few of the very serious ones. I ride a KLR 650 dual sport and the Lost Souls even invited me to their clubhouse haha.

 

[ferider]

Tantos are like that cool uncle who smokes cigars, has a bunch of tattoos with stories behind them, and rides Harleys. Some people just don’t like, or can’t handle that energy.

Funny movie though.

 

[Blues]

I thought I wanted a Tanto once... Then I got one... I have not bought one since... they really just suck all around and are hard to sharpen...!

Well, there's the definitive answer we've all been seeking.

Toss 'em fellas.

 

[Blues]

Oh boy, a fed on a Honda. That ought to go about like a turd in a fishbowl . No I'm just playing. Most guys in motorcycle clubs that I've met are pretty cool and accepting, except for a few of the very serious ones. I ride a KLR 650 dual sport and the Lost Souls even invited me to their clubhouse haha.

I did UC work many, many moons ago targeting a 1% gang in the Northeast. Interesting group...but not without the same sorts of issues that most folks have. Plus a lot more baggage.

It turned out much better than I had expected that day in 1994...it could've turned on a dime.

 

[Blues]

This one was offered to me by Kit Carson at the end of a Blade Show in the late 90's, after helping him man his table. It is built entirely from Daryl Meier clad damascus which was provided to Kit by the Buck family years ago. It was featured in Blade Magazine as I recall.

It was the first flipper I had ever come across at the time.

 

[Richard338]

I carried this BM in M2 daily for 20 years. Nothing beats it for removing a windshield sticker.

 

[Blues]

I've got the same one in M2, sans serrations. You have good taste in knives, Richard, for a part time knife making professor.

 

[K.O.D.]

I normally don't like tantos. When I was in my teens and early 20's I had quite a few tanto folders. I don't like the tactical look, the compound grinds, and I don't need a reinforced tip.

I did recently get a tanto folder, but both the main part of the blade and the tip are one continuous flat grind. Also, the angled part of the edge is much longer than traditional. It's a Heretic Medusa, and I really like it.

 

[Blues]

Evil useless tanto. Beware!!!

 

[ferider]

Paul does Tantos that have a single primary Bevel, he calls them "Cuvier" (type of shark tooth) - love that (like the CRK Zaan Tanto, BTW).

 

[Richard338]

I've got the same one in M2, sans serrations. You have good taste in knives, Richard, for a part time knife making professor.

A fluke. I knew very little about knives back then, but I had a friend who wouldn't shut up about Benchmade.