What's the purpose of a tanto knife?

[newknife]

I've never understood the design and it's function on a pocket knife. Can someone tell me the purpose of a tanto blade? Thanks!

 

[Tsujigiri]

It's for seppuku.

The commonly cited methodology behind the American tanto is that with a more forward cutting edge, the knife will sever material it is stabbed into rather than just push it to the side. I don't know how valid this is, though, and it's not the most practical blade shape for most uses. I do like them on balisongs, though, since it makes it easier to tape up the blade when practicing.

 

[frenchmade]

The general advantage in a tanto blade is a stronger tip. If you look closely at the way it's designed, the blade can maintain its spine thickness almost all the way to tip of the knife, therefor making thrust cuts and piercing much easier. You also lose some of the risk of breaking off the tip of your knife.

The downside is you have to have a butt ugly knife.

 

[benny90]

'Stabbing' is the idea, supposedly with a tanto you usually get pretty good penetrating geometry, as well as a very robust tip. Not a fan myself, much prefer a clip-point style blade, but that is just personal preference.

 

[Planterz]

I'll assume you mean the Americanized tanto, as popularized by Cold Steel. The answer is that there never really was a purpose for its design. Cold Steel took Bob Lum's interpretation of a traditional tanto and gave it straight edges and angles. Then they marketed it as being tough and good for penetrating, but it's really no better than a curved edge blade can be. The Americanized tanto was an answer looking for a question.

That said, like any other sharpened piece of metal, it's a useful cutting tool. The straight main edge works great for draw cuts, and the straight tip works great for scraping. The angle between the edge and the tip acts as a second point and provides good control when cutting certain things, like a box (without damaging the contents). Its straight edges are also very easy to sharpen. Some like the tanto, many don't. Personally, I'm not a fan, since I carry a couple different knives that excel various things, while the tanto is only mediocre at most tasks.

 

[RevDevil]

Start with this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantō
Then read this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanto

 

[newknife]

The downside is you have to have a butt ugly knife.

Haha. Yea, I can't say the design is too appealing. That's why I wondering if there was a reason for it

 

[Hadji Flip Me Over]

Mostly for looks, I think. I only have one American tanto blade and I can't really find a use for it. =/

The real Japanese tanto shape, though, that is sexy and useful.

 

[RevDevil]

Haha. Yea, I can't say the design is too appealing. That's why I wondering if there was a reason for it

Jut like any other design, clip point, drop point, bowie, persian. They cut stuff, there is no mystery.

 

[powernoodle]

Can someone tell me the purpose of a tanto blade?

A tanto is best suited for stabbing car hoods, and looking cool when you show your buddies what you are carrying.

 

[frenchmade]

best for stabbing car hoods. That's awesome.

But I have to admit that I really do like the Tanto/drop point style of The Hinderer xm-18 3rd gen. That seems like a useful hybrid.

I've never heard that Cold Steel invented the "American tanto" but I'll buy that. Seems to make sense. That company has some of the ugliest knives of all time! imho....

 

[powernoodle]

best for stabbing car hoods.

Best, yes. But in a pinch, you can use other configurations too.

[youtube]j26tWNDWOUE[/youtube]

 

[Pristerognathus]

My layman's guess would be stronger tip as some say. Assuming the point angle is the same a tanto has more metal than standard curved tip. A recurve angle would of course have the most most metal but I don't see many such shapes.

Click pic for bigger size.

 

[BePrepared]

why does that guy look so angry at that car hood?

 

[me2]

The original purpose of the geometric tanto profile/silhouette is for cutting eel.

http://www.zknives.com/knives/knimg...zknives.com/knives/jpnkktype/unagisaki180.jpg

That one is chisel ground/single side ground.

 

[unit]

Considering that so many cheap "tactical" knives these days are tantos, I would say the purpose is to sell knives

I realize that there are nice tanto blades, but I see a lot of guys that know very little about knives gravitating toward this blade shape because it seems a little more "tactical" to a novice.

 

[Brian Sargent]

.....

 

[Big Barn]

Mall ninja's luv em. However, in my opinion - not very practical for general pocket carry. (although I have two)

 

[festerfromnzed]

why does that guy look so angry at that car hood?

...obviously locked his keys in car........................

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Depends on how the blade is ground. I find the greatest advantage is that you can have a thinly ground primary edge for slicing and a much thicker secondary edge for push cuts, scraping and cutting things like wire that might damage the primary edge. The secondary point also acts a bit like a serattion in that it grabs material a little more aggressively than some other blade shapes.