Tanto vs Spearpoint

[jdj211]

Which blade shape is better in terms of piercing? From my own research, I have found tanto knives to be stronger in the tip than other shapes. But they are a pain in the ass to sharpen so I tend to stay away from them. What's your experience with these blade shapes?

 

[A.P.F.]

A Tanto blade is indeed normally stronger at the tip, however, I have found that fact does not translate into better piercing than a spear point. For all practical purposes, both styles will pierce just fine, imo.

 

[mkjellgren]

Spear point would be better for piercing. Tanto is likely going to be stronger, if that's what you're looking for.

 

[Smokinape]

They pierce about tue same for me BUT I know for a fact that I look cooler piercing with the tanto...

 

[9blades]

They pierce about tue same for me BUT I know for a fact that I look cooler piercing with the tanto...

The bolth are about the same but the tanto looks "cooler"

 

[Dorito Monk]

I would suggest that it depends very much on the specific knife you're looking at.

This tanto will not likely get spectacular penetration:

...Compared to this one:

I would imagine that the typical obtuse 'american' style tanto points (like on the Cold Steel, above) will not tend to penetrate as well as most spear points, as there tends to be more metal right behind the tip of the tanto point.

Then again, as with the tantos, I would suggest that a spear point's penetrating qualities can vary greatly. This spear point will likely get much better penetration:

...than this one:

 

[Swoop03]

It really depends on the knives your looking at and how that specific one is shaped. I also believe tanto is easier to sharpen, its just two straight edges the spearpoint has that belly to contend with. Tanto is easier for me at least. I don't quite like the looks of one though.

 

[res1cue]

What exactly do you plan on piercing?

If this is a SD question, the it doesnt matter in the slightest



BTW dorito monk, I really enjoy your dagger/spatula combination, is that what you EDC?

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

You can always go the way of Hinderer, and get a spanto.

 

[Thomas Linton]

For some millennia, spears - a piercing weapon - have had spear points. Japanese spear too, by the way. I think you go with universal human experience.

 

[Jastab]

From my understanding, the tanto was created to pierce armor way back when. Samurai would use it. It does have a more reinforced tip for stabbing. Id go with a tanto if stabbing is a big part of your use.

 

[Dorito Monk]

BTW dorito monk, I really enjoy your dagger/spatula combination, is that what you EDC?

Lol, the spatula doubles as the sheath for that fairbairn-sykes dagger. I never really understood the purpose behind it...

The second spear point is this spearhead thingy made by Blind Horse Knives.

 

[Dorito Monk]

From my understanding, the tanto was created to pierce armor way back when. Samurai would use it. It does have a more reinforced tip for stabbing. Id go with a tanto if stabbing is a big part of your use.

My understanding is that the angular tanto point (like what we think of as the 'american tanto') was used to alleviate the poor quality of available steel at the time. It allowed you to put a useable point on steel that would be too brittle to support a finer tip. Thus, you could compensate for having brittle steel by using a more robust tip.

My understanding is that when metallurgy advanced, the obtuse, angular tanto points like this:

were replaced by the finer, more delicate points, like this:

That's my understanding of the tanto point, anyway.

EDIT: Here's a neat resource on it. I don't know how accurate this is, but if I found it with google, it must be true, right?

http://new.uniquejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/japanese-swords-evolution.jpg

 

[9blades]

You can always go the way of Hinderer, and get a spanto.

Oh man you beat me to the spanto!

 

[Goosey]

American tantos don't pierce better, too thick behind the point. On the other hand a lot of spearpoints might not pierce as well as they could due to not being double-edged.

 

[jdj211]

I'm comparing the spear point and tanto Strider SMF. It will be my knife I take for hikes, camping, and yard work. It needs to be a decent slicer yet robust and sturdy. I have the spear point currently and I like the aesthetics and utility of it, I was just curious if tanto had an advantage. Thanks for the opinions!

 

[dkb45]

Japanese (or real) tantos do provide a major increase in penetrating power. American tantos are just easier to sharpen because of the two straight edges. Really if you want penetration power, look at a clip point. If you are looking at comparing an American tanto and a spear point, the real difference is looks.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

American style tantos have some advantages, but I don't think piercing is one of them. All things being equal a more acute point will pierce better.

 

[Thomas Linton]

From my understanding, the tanto was created to pierce armor way back when. Samurai would use it. It does have a more reinforced tip for stabbing. Id go with a tanto if stabbing is a big part of your use.

The "tanto" you are thinking of was invented by American maker Bob Lum (1943-2007) so Samurai, not even slightly.

 

[bdmicarta]

There seem to be 2 opposing issues here-
A tanto point can be stronger because the angled edge at the end can have a different angle from the remainder of the edge. You can see this on the ColdSteel knife photo in post #13 above. The steeper angle will make it harder for that point to go through material but the point is strong enough that if you put enough force into it, it will penetrate.

Now OTOH a spear point can have a really keen point that will cut through material easily, as long as the point doesn't break in the process. The grind angle of a spear point usually continues around to the point and can make the blade pretty thin right behind the point.

I like keen points, and I like spear points. One of my favorite EDC knives is my Benchmade 913 Stryker. It seems to have a relatively strong point for a spear point. I've seen a few tanto points that I liked, such as the Benchmade 760 and the CRKT M16. My favorite Tanto is the Spyderco Lum fixed blade, but it has more curve in it than the usual tanto.