American Tanto vs Double Edge Dagger

wittlescwappy

wittlescwappy

Joined
Apr 21, 2016
Messages
61
Currently looking at two ring blades.
One is an american tanto ring blade (3.75" chisel ground - D2 - Black Nitride) and the other is a double edged dagger style ring blade (3.5" double saber grind- S35VN - PVD).

Main purpose is as a inner-cumberbund backup weapon for a Plate Carrier. Secondary purpose is as a survival blade if worst comes to worst.

I personally believe the two blades are equal as weapons (for various reasons) - so what's left to me is deciding which one would outperform the other as a last-ditch survival blade. I realize that neither of these weapons is a desirable bushcraft blade... but I am wondering which one you would pick if you had to pick one.

ALL feedback is appreciated.

fhlOW7qm.jpg

ibGZRH2m.jpg
 
I was thinking the same thing. Just wondering if the downsides of the chisel edge outweighed the downsides of a double saber edge. I have never been forced to use a chisel edge american tanto for anything...Would not normally be interested in it at all.

Unfortunately my choices, when it comes to well-made American ring blades, are slim. They are mostly a military fad - with some practical application for urban CQC I guess. But I love the grip I get with the ring. The feel is always superb.
 
Not really answering your question, but I'd suggest looking at more options. Ronin knives seem a bit pricey for what you get. Look up the thread "Straight Ringed Knife" in the prac-Tac forum. The topic is pretty well fleshed-out.
 
W. Anderson said:
Not really answering your question, but I'd suggest looking at more options. Ronin knives seem a bit pricey for what you get. Look up the thread "Straight Ringed Knife" in the prac-Tac forum. The topic is pretty well fleshed-out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the direction - looks like a good read. I have an attachment to Ronin Tactics because I know the owner is a good/experienced guy and uses everything he puts his name on. But I do agree that, not accounting for his name, all the Ronin gear may be slightly overpriced. I myself am not a big fan of the way that "Ronin" is branded on all the knives...Nevertheless the style is very there - and the gear has been VERY good in my experience.

I know that Spartan blades makes the Sakura...not really sure who makes the Tanto.
 
wittlescwappy said:
Currently looking at two ring blades.
One is an american tanto ring blade (3.75" chisel ground - D2 - Black Nitride) and the other is a double edged dagger style ring blade (3.5" double saber grind- S35VN - PVD).

Main purpose is as a inner-cumberbund backup weapon for a Plate Carrier. Secondary purpose is as a survival blade if worst comes to worst.

I personally believe the two blades are equal as weapons (for various reasons) - so what's left to me is deciding which one would outperform the other as a last-ditch survival blade. I realize that neither of these weapons is a desirable bushcraft blade... but I am wondering which one you would pick if you had to pick one.

ALL feedback is appreciated.

fhlOW7qm.jpg

ibGZRH2m.jpg
Click to expand...

Of those two I personally would prefer the double edged one. The primary role will be a self defense knife and a double edged grind will allow the knife to cut both forwards and backwards. Also the back edge is not fully ground so you can still put your thumb on the spine and do utility tasks with it. Spartan also makes outstanding knives.

I wouldn’t want to do batonning with little knives like this anyway which is the major concern with a double edged knife in survival scenarios. If you do need to baton you could look up how to make a wood wedge which can be used to baton.

You could also check out the Kabar Snake Charmer but it has abit of a weird sheath.
KA-5103.jpg
 
The Ronin appears to have a much more comfortable handle, so that would be my choice.

For poking bad guys, chisel vs double ground doesn't matter a whole lot.
 
Lapedog said:
Of those two I personally would prefer the double edged one. The primary role will be a self defense knife and a double edged grind will allow the knife to cut both forwards and backwards. Also the back edge is not fully ground so you can still put your thumb on the spine and do utility tasks with it. Spartan also makes outstanding knives.

I wouldn’t want to do batonning with little knives like this anyway which is the major concern with a double edged knife in survival scenarios. If you do need to baton you could look up how to make a wood wedge which can be used to baton.

You could also check out the Kabar Snake Charmer but it has abit of a weird sheath.
Click to expand...



Good point. I have to admit I am preferential to the tanto. I like the aesthetics of it alot more and I like the ring notch that lets you flip it around and stab with longer reach.


The Sakura has the double edge..but not the ring notch. Definitely a better panic weapon with 2 edges - but you lose that long reach surprise attack the tanto has.
 
wittlescwappy said:
Good point. I have to admit I am preferential to the tanto. I like the aesthetics of it alot more and I like the ring notch that lets you flip it around and stab with longer reach.


The Sakura has the double edge..but not the ring notch. Definitely a better panic weapon with 2 edges - but you lose that long reach surprise attack the tanto has.
Click to expand...

I think you should get whichever one appeals to you the most. I just think double edged is good because if you go to do a downward stab in reverse grip and your opponent blocks your arm with his then you can just pull your arm back which will draw your spine side edge along his arm compromising his ability to block again.

Also you do not want to be fighting with the knife flipped around on your finger where your grip is only your forefinger through the ring. This puts your index finger in a position where it is extremely likely to get broken.
 
I should go to jail for what I've done with the ol' American tanto blades I've owned.

BM 970, Cold Steel Recon Tanto and mini tanto, some H&K thing, can't remember the name...

Sure can take some punishment and shrug it off. I like this blade profile a lot.

It hates me though probably.

Personally, I'd call Charlie Mike and have him brew me something special.
 
Yeah Charlie Mike will make you a custom fixed blade to your specifications for cheaper than either of those knives.
 
Lapedog said:
I think you should get whichever one appeals to you the most. I just think double edged is good because if you go to do a downward stab in reverse grip and your opponent blocks your arm with his then you can just pull your arm back which will draw your spine side edge along his arm compromising his ability to block again.

Also you do not want to be fighting with the knife flipped around on your finger where your grip is only your forefinger through the ring. This puts your index finger in a position where it is extremely likely to get broken.
Click to expand...

Fair point. But I feel like a lot people think the same thing about karambits. However, when you ask Silat artists why they like the karambits - they always mention how the ring can be used to extend an attack. I have seen children break cement blocks with hands that are 1/2 the size of mine. I imagine, with training and physical strength, any weapon can be used to the extent of its potential.
 
Last edited:
wittlescwappy said:
Fair point. But I feel like a lot people think the same thing about karambits. However, when you ask Silat artists why they like the karambits - they always mention how the ring can be used to extend an attack. I have seen children break cement blocks with hands that are 1/3 the size of mine. I imagine, with training and physical strength, any weapon can be used to the extent of its potential.
Click to expand...

If you ask anyone involved in those wood / cement breaking demonstrations the blocks are made so they are easy to break. The wood boards are cut across the grain rather than with the grain and held in a way that means, as you noted, even a child could break them. The cement I believe is made with too much sand in the mix.

Even though some martial arts have tecniques where they extend the knife on the ring these attacks are only supposed to be used by very experienced trained fighters during openings. Even then there are plenty of experienced martial artists who would say a one finger through a ring is an injury waiting to happen.
 
Last edited:
Lapedog said:
If you ask anyone involved in those wood / cement breaking demonstrations the blocks are made so they are easy to break. The wood boards are cut across the grain rather than with the grain and held in a way that means, as you noted, even a child could break them. The cement I believe is made with too much sand in the mix.

Even though some martial arts have tecniques where they extend th @e knife on the ring these attacks are only supposed to be used by very experienced in training fighters durinsg openings. Even then there are plenty of experienced martial artists who would say a one finger through a ring is an injury waiting to happen.
Click to expand...


Yea...I'm not talking about those "demonstrations". I have seen the blocks and held them. I would not want to try to break them with MY fist or palm. .

It's easy to discount a lot of martial arts "myth's as just myths until you see them up close. Our hyper-negative society teaches us that anything mildly mystical has to be a joke or a trick...

I absolutely agree that a lot of experienced martial artists would probably argue against even using ring blades at all. They are absolutely entitled to that opinion. That's what's great about all the different styles.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top