Tanto Blades: What Are They Good For?

The notorious (Americanized) tanto blade has made quite the impact in the knife world in the last few decades. But what is their purpose, exactly? What advantages do they have over the more classic style blades? Let's discuss it!

[lancewalker]

We can thank the founder of Cold Steel, Lynn Thompson for reinventing the modern tanto we all so much enjoy today.

[gas_station_evangelization]

I find the Americanized/chisel tip useful for scraping/slicing things on a flat surface.

The traditional Japanese one is an optimized weapon, though. I have an HZ6 and a blacksmith-forged Osoraku Tanto. Both pierce things with scary ease.

[wellingtonblackwell]

Tanto Point knives are my favorites! I own several Cold Steel variations in folding knives, fixed blades, and machetes.

[LyleSmith-qe]

I bought an el cheapo and it went through a 55 gallon steel drum and thru a quarter with no damage. I love the hollow grind and 23 degree up sweep which makes it a good slicer. The handle makes it easy to switch grips. It’s like have your cake and eating it to.

[davida.gorton]

Well done. I like the history lesson. As an afterthought Cold Steel has scaled down history of the Tanto in the Kyoto 1 & 2. Great little front pocket carry. But it's the sweep of the blade on Kyoto 2 that speaks to what you're saying about the 'original' Tanto. The Samurai warriors worth in battle was gauged by how many heads they took. We see that in Thompsons renditions of Japanese main battle armaments: sword, short sword & knife for up close & personal.

[nafis]

Tanto is the easy to sharpen with my Hapstone T1, so damn sharp I accidently sliced of chuck of my finger without pain. Overall, it is like a half of a Roman Gladius.

[tomlevasseur]

I carry a Cold Steel Master Tanto. It is not my edc knife; it is razor sharp and is for self defense only

[TimMiller-ew]

Took some time to get used to but now that a drop point feels unfamiliar. Durable I feel like they potentially can be sharper, depending on skill sharpening & quality of the steal

[DrJuan-evlu]

The only good thing about a tanto blade is that if you foolishly break the tip off you drop point, you can grind it into a tanto and when you use it you don't look like a fool.

[merci]

I'm not a big fan of the tanto style blades just aesthetically but I've never actually used one before. I really like my Ontario Rat 2 and my Civivi ortis though.

[Night_keen]

My main criticism is biased in favor of James William’s take, that American tanto’s are not designed as efficiently for martial use as traditional tantos. Which as you covered by way of design. The point needs to be more acute for better efficient piercing. Any of them can pierce, but a stout and wider point does not aid in it.

[feedthesnake]

tantos are great for people that like to spend more time sharpening.

[nathanfidler]

I like the American Tanto because when I use it it just looks like some kinda fancy utility knife; not a self defense tactical knife for people in the know.

[psshakes]

I don't like the fact that Tonto means"dumb" in spanish...other than that I really like these blades.

[EireHammer]

Stabbing, it's a stabbing blade.
It can cut but it's meant for doing the job.

[RugerRedhawk]

Just scored a Buck 653 Nighthawk. The thing I like about it is that the 653 is not a hollow grind like the 650.