hso said:
Many of those companies offering something new called a "tanto" have modified the original Lum design heavily.
Hmmm. Okay. Parts of that I reluctantly support.
My problem is trying to espouse a debate (within a few paragraghs) on 13th century Japanese cutlery and a modern American folder.
(Oh, and you have to allow the idea of "refinements." No matter where you begin your debate on the cutler and natal year of the American Tanto, you'll slice yourself into a coma foolishly handling a Strider Nightmare blade.)
And that's the real problem for me. On one hand, there is no, absolutely zero, zilch, nada, lineage from Japanese feudal history to Ernie's workbench.
And on the other hand, without a bent little guy and a bucket of red mud we wouldn't have Bob Lum--or much of the early 1990's innovation. In fact, didn't Lum use a Japanese character as a logo for business at one time?
And if you argue that Lum, Terzuola and Emerson are, in fact, applying modern craftsmanship based on any facet of eastern culture--and I mean even the faintest sliver--then where do Strider and MercWorx fit in the span of history? Legitmate offshoots, or knock-offs?
And what about me? My whole approach to sharpening is based on polishing derived from Japanese sword making. However, I did not know that fact when I started my career.
I will say this. Many debates are never won and much enjoyed. For example, we have the 9mm vs. .45 ACP and the Ford vs. Chevy argument.
If I had to pick a side, I'd say that someone had a history book. They looked at successful designs over a long span of time. They considered an American market and modern manufacturing techniques. Hence, the American Tanto.
HSO, I must add a disclaimer. I do not know a lot about Bob Lum, I have never carried his products. Other than through museum glass, I have never seen a truly authentic samurai katana. I have never touched or seen a MercWorx knife--I do not carry that brand. I have considered buying a CS tanto with the traditional Japanese rounded tip simply for research, but I'm not sure 300 bucks is worth it. I feel that if I'm going to shoot my mouth off I should be equally honest about my limited areas, as well.