Would a tanto blade folder make a good SD knife?

[jinuineasn]

I"m considering zero tolerance 0400 with a tanto blade, benchmade rukus, or chinook II for a SD knife. Anybody have any advice on tanto folders compared to the rukus or chinook for SD purposes? CCW is not an option.

Would this be an american tanto?

 

[fulloflead]

I"m considering zero tolerance 0400, benchmade rukus, or chinook II for a SD knife. Anybody have any advice on tanto folders?

Tantos make a bigger wound while stabbing and were designed to do just that. They were designed to have a sharp edge forward so that veins/organs don't get slid aside by a curved forward edge but are cut instead.

Bear in mind that traditional tantos looked much different than what you're used to. The custom knife maker, Bob Lum, created the more geometric, squareish, tanto we currently know as the "tanto" in America.


.

 

[Matador]

CS Recon 1, Japan version if you can find one. Can't beat the quality and the price point, and for "strictly" SD this one can fit the bill. If your looking for a double duty hard user, then the Buck Strider 880T would be worth a look, but for a pure SD Tanto, then Emerson is the man IMHO.

Matador-

 

[shotgunner11]

but for a pure SD Tanto, then Emerson is the man IMHO.

Matador-

Stole the words right out of my mouth. Not just the knives, but his SD training is also top notch.

(disclaimer) I have never taken any of his classes first hand, but have heard first hand accounts from friends in the law-enforcement field that his classes are good, real-world, sensable SD training that is worth its heavy price.

 

[knarfeng]

What does your sensei recommend?

I assume you have one. Carrying a knife for self-defence without having training in its use is asking for disaster.

 

[Willieboy]

I know you didn't ask this but, are fixed blades an option for you? If so, I'd check out the Spyderco Temperence or Street Bowie.

Regarding the question you asked, personally, I'd steer clear of knives that look as if they're designed to disembowel someone. A LEO is more likely to go easy on you if he found you were carrying a utility pattern, like the Temperence than the Street Bowie.

In the folder arena, I'd take a look at a Cold Steel Voyager with clip point. Rugged as hell and won't break the bank. The Voyager also comes in a tanto pattern.

 

[tirod3]

Knarfeng makes a very important point: without barehand combatives skills, a knife is not going to help.

With skills, the confidence you have gained is translated into body language that can put off your opponent before it becomes a lethal encounter. Knives are a poor SD choice - given a firearm is not an option, you want to maximize your skills and minimize the shortcomings. 3-4 inch "tactical" knives are not held in much repute by combatives instructors as a primary defense, and a recent study has shown serious shortcomings in stopping power.

Aside from all that, a tanto is designed for thrusting, and limits all around use. A utility drop point will do as well, and look a lot less dangerous across the palm of an officer analyzing the scene of "your" attack on an "innocent" gangbanger.

You gotta cover all your bases.

 

[mattmcg]

I"m considering zero tolerance 0400 with a tanto blade, benchmade rukus, or chinook II for a SD knife. Anybody have any advice on tanto folders compared to the rukus or chinook for SD purposes? CCW is not an option.

Would this be an american tanto?

Aside form the tactics discussed above, the ZT 0400 is an absolute sweet knife. Comfortable in the hand, good grip on the face, and a nice assisted opening mechanism. I have one and it's a real fav...

 

[NickZac]

I recommend this to everyone...if you want a knife for self defense, consider the Spyderco Civilian and James Keating's video on it. It is a very effective self defense tool.

I would not personally ever use a liner lock for a self defense knife.

 

[not2sharp]

Would a tanto blade folder make a good SD knife?

That depends on who is driving it.

n2s