Tanto vs. Drop point vs. Spear point

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I just want to clear up my comments about sharpening.

I have a Lansky, and a Smith's sharpening set, and I hate them both. I don't like the way the edge isn't consistent across it's length, as the stone pivots, it's effective "radius" changes, and you end up with different bevel angles from tip to toe. I can see however, how using one of these on a Tanto blade would be even worse...

But having those straight edges, and treating them as four seperate edges, allows me to work them back and fourth in a straight line on the stone (a big flat waterstone.) This is far easier for me than trying to sharpen a drop-point free hand, or using a lansky style set, and getting poor results...
 
sidheshooter, i love the straightedge! best knife i ever carried, i picked up in the UK... a little UK-legal folder (non-locking, but stiff) with a sheep's foot blade... straight as a razor a literally razor sharp. In any knife too short to make an effective stabbing weapon, the ability to make shearing cuts 2 inches deep and a foot long is a plus.

also, if you shoot a hawthorne sidhe, you deserve whatever the folk in the cloots do to you.
 
Like many I was introduced to the “Tanto” type blade by owning Cold Steel Voyagers.

I do believe the point is stronger and it is very easy to cut yourself with a tanto point. I would not consider that a recommendation, maybe it is a comment on my own stupidity.

Anyway I found the Tanto slanted point useful in cutting leather or cardboard, it is very easy to figure out where the edge is and where it is going.

I never found it difficult to sharpen, in fact I think it is easier to sharpen a Tanto point. Mine are simply a straight edge, as simple as sharpening a chisel free hand. It is just off an an angle.

I use India or diamond stones, never got into those crock sticks and fixtures.

Even so, as a utility knife, I have used the clip point blades more often.
 
There really is no best point design. If you study knife fighting styles you will see all different types of points. It depends on the material that you primarily expect to penetrate to reach vital organs. I carried and trained with an AFCK in the 90s ( a saber grind) I like drop points, spear points and Warnclif. The geometry of the handle to point is more important to me. For a strictly self defense blade I prefer a clip point with a sharpened clip. On most folders you can sharpen at least the top 1/8 of the clip for a back slash. As far as sharpening the blade, it is a learning curve. There are so many different commercial sharpeners out there you just have to pick one and practice with it.
I treat my American style tantos like two different straight edges and sharpen them separately.

Cheers,

ts
 
I do like wharncliffes, too. As very happy as I am with the Manix 2 XL and Manix 2 TB, I'm still looking forward to getting a Yojimbo 2 after I get home. :)
 
The image in Post 17 looks like it'd do just dandy digging out splinters, cuting, pushing, or even stripping wire.

It also liiks like it would occupy a lot of pocket.

salty
 
saltydog452 said:
It also liiks like it would occupy a lot of pocket.
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Not really, the blade is only 3" long and about a inch deep...to give you a sense of proportion.

It is designed to maximize the transmission of cutting energy (it doesn't drop off as the direction of the cut comes parallel with the edge) following the direction of the thumb and to allow more penetration than a box cutter
 
rcmodel said:
If you are breaking the tips off your blades that often, you should probably carry a $1.98 plastic box cutter, a screwdriver, and a pry bar.

The last point I broke off a knife blade was in 1950 something, and I was 10 years old and throwing it at a tree in my dads back yard.

Against his sage advice I might add.

rc
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My knife is used everyday as a tool. I don't just use them to clean my fingernails and whittle balsa wood. If I need to pry something, unscrew a screw or puncture something that tanto does it well. I don't always have the luxury of having multiple tools with me so my pocket knife gets abused often. It's a tool not a collectible and I treat it as such.
 
JShirley said:
I do like wharncliffes, too. As very happy as I am with the Manix 2 XL and Manix 2 TB, I'm still looking forward to getting a Yojimbo 2 after I get home. :)
Click to expand...

Maybe they will be shipping again by that time! Don't hold your breath on that, though... unless you have the lungs of a record free diver...


:banghead:



Texan Scott said:
also, if you shoot a hawthorne sidhe, you deserve whatever the folk in the cloots do to you.
Click to expand...

Clever little things, but you can usually get 'em with a Ruger 10-22 with an Eotech sight, and some sweet cakes for bait, if you're quick...


;)
 
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hi i was wondering what you guys think would be better for a purely defensive folding knife.
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Personally, I don't care for the "modern" or "american" style tanto blade, with the squared off, chisile like contours. They are very popular but I think they are not the most effective blade shape. Now, if you are talking a more traditional tanto profile, like the CRKT Hissatsu, that's different. I've never actually handled one, but if the quality is there it looks to be a nice cutting/slashing blade, with a decent stabbing point on it.

Personally, my own choice would probably be a clip-point blade like the Spyderco Streat Beat. I think these generally have enough belly for good cutting/slashing, strong points with enough strenght for stabbing and are good all-around blade shapes adaptable to a number of different techniques.

In the end though, there is no "best" blade style and a lot depends on your training (and to get the most out of a defensive knife you need training). Most knife training will focus on a particular style of knife. If your training is with a karambit, you don't want to carry a bowie knife. ;)
 
For a defensive only knife, why not a fixed blade. Aren't they stronger because they don't have the joint?

I'm not too smart on the different points - seems all with do the job as intented. But the spear point seems like it'll penetrate the best and be easiest to sharpen.
 
I gotta agree with leadcounsel:
consider fixed blades if SD is in your top 2 uses.
Way faster (for 98%) than a folder.

I'm about to purchase a drop point: a Kabar Eskabar.

I also appreciate Wharncliffe even though I've not owned one yet.
(Closest is my Spyderco Manix 2, my EDC for 2 years that
may be replaced by the Eskabar because I'm ready to EDC a fixed blade.)

Can't say anything about spear points or tantos.
 
That 710 is a beautiful knife. I have carried a Benchmade for a very long time. Seems they keep getting better. Thanks for the reference.

Jim
 
Why not a fixed blade?

I have enough stuff on my belt and in my pockets as it is. A SAK 'Electrician's Model' in the pocket and an assisted opening LW Kershaw cliped onto another seems to suit me.

There is also a Spiderco 'Co Pilot' that is used as a money clip. It has a stout looking short blade that could offer a surprise. The only thing that the Co Pilot has ever done is contribute to my mental warm and fuzzies and collect pocket lint.

salty
 
For a defensive only knife, why not a fixed blade. Aren't they stronger because they don't have the joint?
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One reason is that it may be illegal. In my state they are fairly lenient regarding folding knives, basically as long as it actually fits in your pocket your good. Fixed blades, however, are treated differently and any fixed blade is likely to get you in trouble for carrying a "deadly weapon". :uhoh:

Its a shame, too, as I have a couple of very nice fixed blades that I would consider for EDC otherwise. :eek:
 
Wait a second mdauben, here we can carry fixed (from what I can gather), as long as it is OPEN carry, just like a pistol. As long as your 18+ you do not need a permit to open carry.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I've been using a 4" fixed for a bit now, openly of course.
 
Yea, wish I could find an accurate open cary statement, I only see concealed carry stuff.

Anyways, sorry for the thread drift, personally, I prefer a spear-point style with a mid to flat belly.
 
Wait a second mdauben, here we can carry fixed (from what I can gather), as long as it is OPEN carry, just like a pistol. As long as your 18+ you do not need a permit to open carry.
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I was actually speaking to concelled carry of fixed blades, based on this quote from the AL criminal code. It does only address concealed carry of knives. Technically there is nothing there about open carry, and I have seen some handouts at my FLGS about open carry of firearms being legal in AL, but I would hesitate to state so catagorically.

I have read about too many people being arrested or at least hassled on chargers other than simply carrying (I have read of LEO citing such things as "brandishing," "going armed to the terror of the public," and "disorderly conduct" when dealing with people who are open carrying in states without laws that specifically allow such). Given that, I am hesitant to recomend that people follow that course of action. I have a feeling reactions might vary depending on where you were doing the OC (Beaverton vs Birmingham, for example).

YMMV, of course.
 
In my cursory research, there's typically a distinction on blade length, not fixed vs. folder.

However, some states do consider a fixed blade a "dirk or dagger."

But if legal, a fixed blade is an option.
 
I live in IN but spend a lot of time fishing in MI. Just learned today that all fixed blade knives are illegal unless you are going hunting.
Hey officer, I am hunting for fish........

Jim
 
Where I'm at currently allows fixed blades of "any length" (i.e., hunting knives, etc) in open carry - but open firearm carry is legal here, also - and fixed blades concealed if blade is < 3.5".

I like it here.

Added by edit: I just double checked the blade length criterion I mentioned above in the laws for my state that I posted above, and find no length reference. It appears that exceptions are made for concealed carry of hunting, fishing and trapping knives without length restrictions. I'll double check that.

2. Exceptions. The provisions of this section concerning the carrying of concealed weapons do not apply to...
C. Knives used to hunt, fish or trap as defined in Title 12, section 10001;
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Nem,
Only thing illegal In IN are throwing stars and autos, the latter of which I carry daily and have for a LONG time. Marion County (Indianapolis) is more restrictive but I don't live in that county nor do I go there often. My CCW works there...

Jim
 
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