However, it is a pretty simple to get a consistent edge on most tanto knives since they dont tend to have much of a recurve in the blade. 3 4 comments [deleted] 11 yr. ago ShuManChu 11 yr. ago Unlike other knives, you need to take extra care when doing this. 1. When sharpening a tanto, however, the lack of belly or curve on the blade almost completely removes the possibility of making this mistake. Mine went through an aluminum trailer door with relative ease if thats any consolation. What are the advantages of a tanto blade? to be there for you. Having a reinforced tip also makes a tanto good at prying. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To work with hard and tough things Tanto blade will be your perfect choice. All images on our website are the property of their respective owners. The length of the American Tanto blade lies between 6 to 12 inches. Im Ahmed, the guy behind Knifepulse.com. Although we are definitely biased towards the reverse tanto blade shape, I do strongly encourage you to check out the Marine Approved comprehensive guide on all knife blade types. Advantages of Tanto Blades: A Comprehensive Guide to Sharpen it Written by Ahmed in Knives, sharpening Of all the knives I own, the tanto blade is simply one of my favorites. 105.60. You do not necessarily have to spend on expensive knives. The triangular tip of the tanto blade enables it to have a secondary tip alongside the initial point of the blade. Theyre also lightweight and easy to bring along. This comparison is kind of ironic because the two operate and feel very similar to each other. For Sale: Custom & Semi Production Knives (Dealer), KnifeMaker's Market: Knives & More for Sale, Wanted: Knifemaker / Craftsman / Related Services, Busse / Swamprat / Scrapyard Knives For Sale, For Sale: Traditionals, Slipjoints, "Old Timey", International (Non-US) For Sale & Trade Forums. Drawbacks: Where Theres Room for Improvement, The 8 Best EDC Pocket Knives: Supreme Review & Buying Guide, Best Japanese Knife Sets Available | An Expert Guide. Of course, that long and flat belly paired up with whats usually a rather thick spine makes for great strength when batoning, but the shape is just sometimes a bit awkward to use in terms of batoning unless you get something thats long and flat on top. You may need the following: good sharpening stones in a range of grits, from coarse to fine. Japanese Design Alright, I have to give a shout out to the Japanese when it comes to knives. If you've found yourself asking that question after seeing one of these blades, you're certainly not alone and it's a common question to ask. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. I'm looking at getting an HK Axis. Nov 10, 2003 #2 What kind of tanto are u talking about ? In such cases, you should use a spear or double-point blade. On some models, actually quite a few as of recent, such as the Benchmade Contego, the reverse tanto is modified a bit to have this sloping concave curvature to its spine, but still encompassing that same harsh angle after a turning point where it juts down to the tip. However, this definitely doesnt mean that sharpening a tanto edged knife is easy as you will see in the disadvantages below. If you arent planning on stabbing anything or anyone, a different style of blade with better slicing capabilities is much more practical for every day uses. The tip, which is probably where most people want to compare and contrast performance, is kind of up for debate. Again, this could be a disadvantage, but it is more so just something to keep in mind when considering how often you sharpen your knives and/or your sharpening skills as a whole. With very little belly, these knives dont slice well. For more information about us or joining the team, check out the About Us tab. I love the way tanto style blades look, but reading around a little bit, I see people saying they'd rather have a clip point/drop point for an EDC than a tanto. In this article, youll understand the advantages, disadvantages, and general information about the tanto blade shape. If I remember correctly the shape allowed the blade to be easily removed after piercing armor. I think for the average Joe carrying a pocket knife, if you personally enjoy the aesthetics of the reverse tanto, its hard to go wrong here. Tanto blade is much popular among people for its unique look, overall style, and amazing properties. It becomes difficult at the time of slicing and performing various cutting tasks due to a lack of belly. Additionally, the American Tanto features a primary point where the cutting surface shoots down straight or very close to being straight immediately, where the second point is. Each Tanto knife is designed with a high tanto point, as well as a flat grind. The advantages of the clip point, being that its got a thin and easy-to-use tip in tight spaces are also typically found on the reverse tanto, but overall, reverse tanto blades generally have a thicker spine, making them less exceptional for slicing but stronger for piercing. If someone threatens you, all This blade type and shape catch a lot of attention when it is set aside from other blade shapes simply because it stands out. Sale 20% Off . As a result, you can pierce deeper with less effort when compared to other blade shapes and types. I am very found of the Tanto design when I am at work. You can simply buy one that fits into your pocket and can be used to slice fruits and cut open meat and letters etc. In this article, we are going to explore the purpose of Tanto Blade. TANTO WITH HIGH CARBON STEEL BLADE- 2 BOHI SHARP BLADE. There are about eight popular and commonly used points, but today we are only going to go over the advantages and disadvantages of tanto and drop point tips. From cutting heavy ropes with ease to piercing right through an aluminum trailer door, my reverse tanto blades seem to handle everything I throw at them with ease. You can use it for cutting food, opening boxes, and several other purposes that other knives or blades cannot handle. The tip of the Tanto blades somehow takes the shape of a chisel point but is more pointy and doubled angle. Yes, I am a sucker for the tanto shape and Im sure many others are as well. The tanto design dates back to the Heian period (794-1185) in feudal Japan. Just like the grind, the actual steel composition of the blade will also dictate its performance across use cases, and as such, if youd like to brush up on some of the most common knife steel types, refer to our guide on blade steels here. However, China is quickly joining the globe for the best knife production out there. These were designed to primarily be stabbing weapons, but of course the razor fine edge [] This blade was used as a weapon by Samurai warriors in war. The Tanto is a blade shape known for having a sharply angled tip and very little belly or curve to the main edge. In stock . You could also find a flat stone out in the field that could be adequate for sharpening to a working edge. By using the Hira Zukuri technique Tanto blade is produced. They were developed in medieval Japan and were used by the Samurai as a secondary weapon. The Western version of the Tanto is usually referred to as the American version or the geometric tanto, featuring a very edgy look and feel. I understand that the Tanto blade was originally designed for armor piercing of Japanese samurai armor, and. In this blog, we'll explore this and more. A tanto OTF knife is an excellent tool for prying and stabbing. However, due to the clip points slender build, and extra-fine tip, the overall blade strength is relatively weak and poses a serious possibility of the tip breaking if pushed too hard. do this. The blade looks plane and has a straight edge. $50.00 you don't leave much room for quality. I used to carry this whenever I walked the streets at night. 238.80. Add to Wishlist. should scare them off. JavaScript is disabled. I wouldnt say that the first thing I think of when getting my hands on a reverse tanto is its capability to be used in combat, but since most knives carried into combat arent really used for violence anyway, Id say knives with a reverse tanto are as good as anything else in terms of being utilized by a solider or operator. 9 Conclusion What is a Tanto blade? If you looking for a knife that can pierce through thick and tough materials easily, then the Tanto blade is your perfect choice. Fierce, yes, but in a mesmerizing way. Depending on the user preferences and needs, they can opt for different designs available today. The meaning of the Tanto blade is a short blade. Advantage: Prying Disadvantage: Any task involving cutting. Its kind of funny that the Dozier version of the reverse tanto is very often interchangeably dubbed a Wharncliffe and vice versa, so we wont really compare/contrast those two. New Sale 10% Off . The two most popular versions in the world tend to be the American and Japanese versions. Unfortunately, due to that triangular shape, tanto blades have some disadvantages as well. Marine Approved Examples of Folding Tanto Blades (3), Marine Approved Examples of Fixed Blade Tanto Blades (3). No one wants to mess with a knife like this. Clean water in a tub to soak the stone. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The length of these blades is between 10 inches to 12 inches. Tanto's are IMO a little harder to sharpen because you have two bevels to worrie about but its not really that big a deal. With the Osborne style tanto on the Benchmade Contego or EDC 940, you can really choke up on the blade and even put your thumb in that concave section of the spine to use the tip with exceptional downforce, making cutting through even very thick and tough ropes rather easy. stone as if you are scraping the surface off. In fact, some of the best budget folding knives tend to have tanto edges. Simply put, most reverse tantos are leaving a ton of material on the spine and near the tip which makes its horizontal tensile strength very high, much higher than most other blade shapes. Shirasaya Tanto| Handmade Katana. Tanto blades are great for stabbing, theyre designed for this. Another subtle but heavily influencing aspect of the tanto blade shape is the pure aesthetics when looking at the knife. Corporal Wabo is a former Infantry Squad Leader with 3rd Bn 4th Marines that specialized in Mortars. Slashing with a drop point generally yields pretty fair results as the blade has a lot of sharp surface area in a shape that makes being accurate a bit easier. 1. Even though the Americans have put up a tough competition with the Japanese version but there is nothing beating the original Japanese tanto knife. Aspiring chefs who are getting around to learning more about Japanese knives will appreciate how they can improve your overall culinary skills. This one-hand operating knife is perfect for cutting, slicing, piercing, striking, and penetrating purposes. PRACTICAL TANTO. use your non-dominant hand to support the blade near the guard. But why spend a lot of money when you can do it yourself? When it comes to camping, tanto blades do a decent job. I've heard that the tanto blade is mainly meant for stabbing because it has a very strong point but since it has no belly it isn't as good as others at slicing. Sometimes sharpening is a pain cause you need to. Spray the bottle with water to keep the stones damp. Knife Knowledge By Blade Protector Check Todays Folding Knife Deals Of The Day! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Samurai used their tant blades for close . Verdict: The 940 is another great EDC for the everyman. Tanto Blade Shape, which is also referred to as the traditional version, looks more like a cross between a drop point and a trailing point blade. There is something to be said about the strong shape and solid style of the Tanto blade. So long as you grab yourself something that isnt extremely thick near the tip, which most reverse tantos are, youll have yourself a very capable whittler. The original. The triangular strength of the Osborne version makes the reverse tanto an exceptionally lethal and powerful tool. Tanto knives are excellent blades for everyday use. For instance, you can actually cut open letters and boxes using the front edge between the two points. Why go through the hassle and waiting when you can sharpen your tanto blades right now? Whats more, Because of this, the task of sharpening your tanto blade can be very intimidating. It is used to puncture armors and things. Rest assured, a well-forged blade even if it is a tanto can still have great cutting performance, but it is noteworthy to say that a tanto blades ability would not be as efficient at cutting as other popular blade shapes. Even though Tanto knives receive a bad reputation for being impractical but this is one of the biggest, The Amazing Impact of Michael Jackson on Pop Culture, Introduction to the Elucidator Sword of Kirito from Sword Art Online, What Were the Hottest Pop Culture Trends of the Roaring 20s. The only downfall I see here is that the tip is so pronounced that it may be a little sketchy working in tight spaces near human flesh, for example, cutting the seatbelt off of a wounded car accident patient, but overall, Id say the reverse tanto gets the job done so long as youre careful and youve had some practice with that sharp point. May 20, 2008 I despise tanto blades. Then, considering that beefy and angular tip, the reverse tanto gives a massive boost in the piercing, stabbing, and puncturing department that youd never actually fully enjoy from a drop point designed blade. This is why it is important to know the difference. While many people today use them for every day carry, they have other practical uses as well. Just like other knives, tanto blades can be sharpened with a sharpening stone. Many people assume that it is basically a Japanese gimmick that is used to pierce or slice through things. All Rights Reserved. This combination sounds hectic and confusing, but in actual operation, the reverse tanto is now one of my favorite blade shapes, especially for an EDC application. You are using an out of date browser. Of the various options in the world of blade shapes, the tanto-style pocket knife has become very popular in the designs of many folding knives in the modern-day for various reasons. Due to the knife having two separate bevels, it feels as if you are working on sharpening two knives since you have to switch between which bevel you need to sharpen. Letters, boxes, and all other types will work but materials such as plastic, etc. position your pinky finger underneath the butt of the handle. The tanto shape leads well to stab and pry, making it useful for numerous other tasks that most knives probably couldnt handle. As mentioned earlier, even though the tanto is used and most famous for its violent piercing mechanism but in reality, it is used to open things with great precision. The tip of the reverse tanto was obviously built for strength but on some of the thinner blades, that tip is very easy to use with precision and even in tight spaces, and overall, the lengthy belly of the blade just makes slicing effortless. Sometimes people search for a knife for doing some specific tasks only. In this article, we are going to explore the purpose of Tanto Blade. Dexter fillet knife vs Bubba Blade - Which one is the Best? But dont worry, its a lot easier than you might think. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. One Main drawback to the design however was the lack of tip strength that would come with the stock blade. Kershaw Blur Knife - Mini Tanto Knife. This way, you can be sure that your tanto blades will come home safe and sharp. Tanto Blade Advantages 1. This is a tough section to answer in a concise manner due to the simple fact that the reverse tanto has so much creative freedom in its form factor. Before getting into how to sharpen tanto blades, its important to know what makes them special. A tanto blade would have made it absolutely perfect, but I cant complain. The front edge looks unsharpened at an angle that is not curved. 3. The blades point contains a lot of metals to increase strength. Although we classify them as knives today, tanto blades were originally short swords. This atmosphere that surrounds the knife bolsters its already expansive reputation and ends up drawing even more people to it despite themselves not necessarily playing a tactical role in society. At first, it wasnt quite clear to me as to why this blade shape exists, after all, there are many other blade shapes that are designed to perform well with options for just about anybody doing anything, but after becoming accustomed to using it and learning more about it over the years, I now understand. The flat grind and high point of a blade together make a triangular shape which is the strongest shape. There are tanto knives made from VG-10 with amazing heat treatments from Japan that are absolutely incredible out there for sale today. But when Im not spending time with my hobby, Im here, writing about Knives and Sharpeners on KnifePulse to share with you what I learn along the way. 1. Advantages of the Clip Point blade type: Sharp, controllable tip Good for piercing and stabbing Lots of belly for slicing Disadvantages of the Clip Point blade type: A narrow tip without much strength The Drop Point blade type The spine gradually drops in a convex angle to the tip where to meet with the bottom in a sharp point. The killer-look of this blade The Spyderco Paramilitary 2 is a staple of the EDC world and well known throughout the hobby as one of the most popular designs out there. But like all knives, it also needs to be sharpened. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Its aesthetics are unmatched and self-defense capabilities top-notch. While the tactical and aggressive look of the tanto blade may be appealing to you, it may startle those around you who may not be as enthusiastic about knives as yourself. Of all the knives I own, the tanto blade is simply one of my favorites. It's no wonder this blade shape has so many opinions surrounding it, as it often stands out when set next to most of the other blade shapes, and to be honest, many people would agree that it has this tacticool feel to its design in comparison with the boring old drop point. It is used to make holes in hard and tough materials. Tanto blades have a super sharp angular tip which is similar to a chisel point. However, this does not mean that sharpening a tanto knife is that easy. I was always curious what are some advantages and disadvantages of the tanto blade shape in a folding knife and a fixed blade. The Wharncliffe blade shape is actually very similar to the reverse tanto, especially near the tip. Tanto knives have all sorts of different uses. Also, many tactical and fighting blades use a tanto edge as well. Wn-V.Com / Fashion Accessories / Belt Accessories / Tanto Blade Knives - Advantages & Disadvantages Statistics. This particular blade shape actually has very little in common with the American style tanto blades we all know and love, and honestly, its operation in the field is a lot closer to that of a drop point or clip point blade shape than it is to the American or Japanese version of the tanto. Initially, the tanto was created as a weapon but with time it has evolved into a versatile knife. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-medrectangle-3-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'knifepulse_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knifepulse_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Whenever you get a beautiful blade like this, youre going to