Modernized Tanto

This is really a traditional style tanto. The abomination many US companies call a tanto is not.

I like the size of this knife, but I think something like the Ontario RTAK-II would be better for wandering around in the wilds- and the RTAK has a guard. Even better, though, would be a good 4' stick. Or both.

John

Yep, that's not a "modernized" anything (well, perhaps the blade material).

As John points out most people have been sold a bill of goods and lead to believe that the broken tip looking thing called a "tango" isn't a traditional tanto at all, but is a clever marketing campaign by Cold Steel. Sadly it is also a rip off of one of the great custom knife makers, Bob Lum, that CS didn't attribute (no surprise there in their early days).

As to the knife in question, it is the Hissatsu's big brother and it is an effective defensive knife design that would work. OTOH, you need a knife in the woods and adding another that won't work for general camp choirs is adding weight you don't need. I advise you pick a good 3-4" fixed blade camp knife that you know how to keep sharp and carry it instead. You'll use it a lot more and will be much more familiar with it.

That depends upon what you consider loosing?

Predators want to avoid injury because it hurts their long term survival chances. A strong enough resistance will cause the predator to break off and look for easier prey. If survival is the goal a vicious enough defense will have a better chance of success. If your goal is to avoid any injury you're less likely to succeed.

Want vs. need

As I said, not sure of what you need, but as for what you said you want...

prototype only

Even better, though, would be a good 4' stick. Or both.

Click to expand...

With a sharp point. 3' to 4' would be my choice. Easy to control (faster re-strike) and hard for the animal to get "inside" of, unlike longer weapons. It's an animal, we do not have to keep a sword carrying person at bay here. Shorter is just fine.