Tantos

[Edgewise]

I always thought that the Tanto tip of the japanese sword was created by squaring off the point because the tip could not stand the pressure caused by the swipe due to the speed at which the point travelled during the downward stroke.
The thick spine of the blade was thus carried nearer to the tip of the sword, strengthening it.
Although this "squaring off" of the point strengthed it, the wide point also reduced its piercing ability and was better for the downward swipe.
The japanese short sword, commonly called Tanto, was used more for piercing and therefore did not need the Tanto point. Most of the Hanwei "tantos", and others, don't have the angled point of the long sword.
It seems to me then that the word "tanto" refers to the SIZE of the sword and not to the shape of the point.
For these reasons, I can find no reason for putting a "tanto" point on a knife.
Daggers cover the piercing duties of a knife and there are other ways of strengthening the point for piercing without squaring off its tip and thus reducing its piercing potential.

Having said all that blurb, I'm now taking a closer look at tantos and have selected my two favourites so far.
I just wondered what your thoughts are on Tantos in general and yours in particular.

[MITCH RAPP]

I have the Emerson SUPER CQC7 and think it is a Great Knife! I can even use the tip as a screwdriver in a pinch. Here is a little History of the Tanto to go along with yours.

http://indomaresa.tripod.com/weapon.htm

[Edgewise]

I have the Emerson SUPER CQC7 and think it is a Great Knife! I can even use the tip as a screwdriver in a pinch....

A very tempting comment, Mitch, especially with the picture to accompany.
However, I resisted and continued looking around until I came upon Benchmade's NRA Osborne Axis Lock 12800 Gaucho Folder with its long, elegant tanto drop-point and recurve edge in 154CM, and I was hooked. I never bypass anything called Gaucho.
I'm really impressed with Benchmade, their collaborations and innovations and the Gaucho is one more unique looking knife.
I'm glad it has an Axis lock and its aluminum handle looks very strong with those four well spaced bolts.