While a drop point knife can arguably do more in everyday life, a tanto blade is designed for a specific set of circumstances. The drop point has a good flat grind that is overall a better cutter, but the higher position of the tip is a little less controllable. Let Knife Depot help by providing an overview of the main blade shapes and the advantages and disadvantages of each. What are they both good at? After reading this article, I’m sure many of you are wondering why anyone would even pick a tanto blade. Are you a drop point guy or a clip point guy? But usually, your everyday tasks don’t involve stabbing through hard tasks—most likely, you are going to be slicing on an everyday basis; which a tanto isn’t going to excel at. Not on people, but piercing packaging, boxes, materials, etc is necessary in city life. The tanto sports a flat grind, but it does have a high point. Model 553 Griptilian Tanto – Tanto blade; Model 550HG Griptilian – Hollow ground modified sheepsfoot blade (with thumbhole) Mini size Griptilians (2.91” blade, 3.87” closed length, 6.78” overall length, 2.56oz weight) Another fantastic benefit to the tanto style is that they are relatively easy to sharpen, especially when you are in the field. This knife blade style is a great all-around design with graceful lines and a flexible, utilitarian profile. I honestly wouldn’t let this characteristic deter you from purchasing a tanto style knife. It is designed to be an all-purpose blade. This is the style of the Kershaw Blur knife, the Benchmade 580 Barrage knife, and also the CRKT Shenanigan knife.Like the straight back knife, a drop point blade is great for slicing and is typically easy to sharpen (as far as the shape influences that). Had a sheepsfoot, sold it. This is achieved because the unsharpened edge of the made meets the sharpened edge at an angle, instead of the usual curve. The main question that gets asked surrounding tanto blades is would you rather have a knife that is good at a lot of things, but not great at anything. 1. This style is very similar to that of the clip-point, however, this one has a stronger tip, and is actually less suitable for stabbing. For even more nitty gritty, there is a coping blade that is kind of like … A drop point knife has a perfect shape that handles various butchering tasks, including skinning, cutting and carving. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. We specialize in assisted opening, fixed, and automatic blades from some of the best blade manufacturers in the world. Microtech Knives was established in 1994 in Vero Beach, Florida relocating to Bradford, Pennsylvania in 2005. Since the inception of the original Socom in 1996, it has been the pioneer for our entire folding knife line. This allows the user to have more control over the situation and it takes minimal effort. While I’m not entirely sure when a blade style changes from sheepsfoot to wharncliffe, I always thought that the wharncliffe was when the tip of the blade was more pointed and angular, while the sheepsfoot was more rounded and basically blunt. Some knife blade shapes are designed for a specific purpose, such as skinning an animal, while others aim to be more utilitarian and useful for many purposes. You have to take in how often you are going to be using your knife. Store Hours:Mon-Thu: 8 am – 5 pmFri: 8 am – 3 pm, © 2020 BladeOps | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Built by What does a tanto point look like? This is also an excellent knife for everyday carrying. Chisel tips are known for having more power and durability than most of the other blade shapes, this is because a good chunk of the overall metal count is closer to the blade’s point. This means that instead of sharpening one edge that spans the length of the blade, you are going to have to sharpen two different edges. Printable knife patterns (templates) for amateur knifemakers. A drop point (along with a clip point) is one of the most popular blade shapes in use today.The most recognizable knife that features a drop point is the hunting knife, although it is used on many other types of knives as well, including the larger blades in swiss army knives. Hunting knives are where you will most commonly find a drop point shape. The Griptilian family is also relatively broad – there are plenty of profile options, from drop point to modified sheepsfoot blades to Western-style tanto variations. Clip Point, Drop Point, Trailing Point? More specifically, there was a style of fixed blade fighting knife used by Vikings and Saxons dating back to before the 11th century called the Seax. Whether you pick a tanto style or a drop point style, you are going to have an excellent knife on your hands. The Socom Elite sets the standard for tactical/utility cutlery. Historically, humans have made blades from flaking stones such as flint or obsidian, and from various metal such as copper, bronze and iron. A good compromise (although more expensive) is the Doug Ritter Griptilian. Here the team at Knife Informer is proud to share our view on the best Kershaw knives for your money in the market today. I like the Ritter blade shape, weight, etc a TON more. Or is this knife going to be more of a backup, or hideout in an emergency backup until the need arises? Because the back is relatively straight, this knife is great for batoning. I have a spear point made by Al Mar and it is near perfect. Tanto vs. Drop Point   Some knife blades are made to be able to perform almost any task well, some are for utilitarian purposes, and many are designed for specific purposes. Model 551 Griptilian – Standard drop-point blade. The second main characteristic of this shape of blade is how it closely resembles a chisel point. The sheepsfoot shape does not lend itself to being the greatest at cutting food. Sheepfoot- better as a safety blade to avoid stabbing things/people in rescue scenarios. Can't seem to find a good comparison shot but the profiles are actually very similar (drop vs sheep; click the photo to enlarge). Lastly, tanto knives can feel impractical. Relatively easy to sharpen, even in the field. Both of these styles have a tip that aligns perfectly with the knife’s spine. While this is a hassle, the sharpening of each edge is going to be easy. The sharpened belly edge also follows a straight non-sloped line, but for the top 1/3, at which point it slopes upward toward the tip. Sharpening is a hassle because of the double bevel. I wouldn't mind trying a sheepsfoot though. 2. A blade is the portion of a tool, weapon, or machine with an edge that is designed to puncture, chop, slice or scrape surfaces or materials. Hunting knives, chef's knives, drop point and clip point etc. JD. If you have this knife during a survival or tactical situation, you are going to be set. I'm not a fan of holes aesthetically though. Drop point model also has a saber grind, which is a flat V grind that goes half way up the blade's breadth. B. Screw drop points & Tanto's get a full bellied spear point! Because the tip is so strong, you can actually pry with it as well. An example of a knife that sports a drop point style blade is the Chris Reeve Nyala. Griptilians despite being cheap are also popular for their flexible design. They will both do these tasks well. Its strength is what most people first notice when they are using a blade with this type of point. Because of this, it is a great shape for your defensive tool; the tip is able to absorb the impact or pressure from piercing, even repeated piercings. Tanto’s do not have a belly, so slicing is going to be difficult. Before you answer, make sure you know the differences between the two. Only 1 left in stock - order soon. Make no mistake, there’s a massive spread of products in the Kershaw portfolio today, not even considering the piles of fantastic discontinued products. An example of a knife with a tanto point is the Boker Kalashnikov 74 auto knife. The tanto point blade shape was invented in the 1970’s and gained most of its popularity in the early 1980’s. I’m sort of confused by your post. Uses a thumb stud for one handed opening. Fourth, because the drop point has such a straight back, or unsharpened edge, it is perfect for batoning. They work great for a hunting knife, they work great in survival situations, they work great for tactical situations. Confused yet? Sheepsfoot: slicier grind, thinner behind the edge, thumb hole for a variety of deployment options and not getting in the slicing path, sheepsfoot tip for safety and added control in fine cutting tasks Drop Point: One of the most classic and enduring of knife designs. You can even get a plain edge and a combo edge, which is unsurprising given the longevity of the lineup. I like drop point or wharncliffe for EDC and a lot of other uses. If Al Mar made a tanto shaped knife in VG-10 then I think I would be in heaven. TANTO: The two Samurai swords my dad brought back from the Pacific in World War Two have tanto points. Tanto blades have pros and cons but most tanto shaped knife advantages are practical. The drop point has a slightly finer point and a touch more belly, but not by all that much on either count. these are definitely not all of them but a lot of the popular ones. This is an all-around knife that can perform most tasks. You know you’re looking at a drop point when you see that large swooping belly and long spine meeting to a point that slightly “drops” near the tip, hence the name “drop point”. This is a video comparing the drop point vs the sheepsfoot vs the wharncliff. Her three blades are Tanto or modified tanto shapes. As long as you have a stone, you are going to be able to sharpen your knife. The chisel tip is designed to punch through items, so if you need a knife to stab through things, thats the route to go. Logged In Deo Confido Once more into the fray Into the last good fight I'll ever know Live and die on this day Live and die on this day. Some knife blades are made to be able to perform almost any task well, some are for utilitarian purposes, and many are designed for specific purposes. This is an excellent option for your hunting knife. Have a look! The brand has expanded continuously from there, to be one of the best known names in knives all over the world. There are about eight popular and commonly used points, but today we are only going to go over the advantages and disadvantages of tanto and drop point tips. As you can see, the back, or unsharpened edge of this knife goes right from the handle to the tip of the knife in a slow curve. The shape was invented by the cutlery company Cold Steel. I have the drop point version, and I like it quite a bit. The Drop Point is easy to identify with a convex curve from the spine of the blade to the tip. A third characteristic that people love with this shape of knife is that it has a large belly, making slicing a breeze. Almost any situation that comes up, you are going to be prepared to take it on and get out of it in great shape. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. A better where to describe this is calling it a convex curve, which means that the spine of the knife seems to “drop” towards the tip of the blade where it meets the tip. The point is not to turn you away at all, it is just to inform you of all your options. Here's a rundown of two different styles. Because you can use the entire length, your skinning time will be dramatically reduced. Tanto knives are designed to do everything, but they are designed to do one thing really well. Like the Japanese tanto, the Americanized tanto has a high point in-line with the pivot. Loading ... S&W Search And Rescue Clip Point vs Tanto Balance Test - Duration: 13:29. Tanto VS Drop Point. Benchmade's idea of a sheepsfoot blade is somewhat less aggressive then you usually see. The typical drop point has lots of belly and may or may not have a pronounced point for increased penetration. Drop Point Blade Shape. The point is pretty broad, so stabbing isn’t going to be a piece of cake. The lambsfoot has a spine and edge that start gently tapering toward one another and has a point somewhere between a sheepsfoot and Wharncliffe. These knives are made to stab things and to be able to work with thick, hard, rough materials. DigitlHaus, Smith & Wesson Military and Police Knives. To check out a variety of either of these two blade styles, log on to BladeOps and order your new knife today. Benchmade's idea of a sheepsfoot blade is somewhat less aggressive then you usually see. I prefer the sheepsfoot by far. The main obvious difference between the tanto blade and a drop point blade is the difference in tip shape. All Knives in Stock, Free Shipping on Every Order. Over the years, improvements have been made, making the Socom more adaptable to different environments. They both have relatively straight backs, they are both great in survival situations because you can use them to dig and pry. They have always operated with a simple mission: to make the BEST possible knives with the goal to attain and maintain extremely high-quality knives throughout the evolution of growth and change. The advantages of one over the other is … The Tanto shape is similar to that design because it has a thick tip, a lot of its metal is near the tip of the blade. One of the favorite characteristics about a drop point style is the long cutting edge. The tip is lowered, so you have excellent control over it. However, there are a few primary differences between the two exclusive blades. While they are relatively easy to sharpen because they do not have a curve, they are also a pain to sharpen because they have a double bevel. For piercing, puncturing, and stabbing, the best blade shapes are tanto point blades, spear point blades, and needle point blades. Blades are typically made from materials that are harder than those they are to be used on. The tip is lowered, which makes it easier to control. This means that if you do not have your usual sharpening equipment, or any actual sharpening equipment, you will still be able to get it sharpened. Just normal every day activities such as letter and box opening, or cutting string. I usually recommend the drop point since I prefer flat grinds and the edge isn't much if any thicker than the hollow ground. I also just like the aesthetics of the sheepsfoot, and (at least for me) it's easier to sharpen in part because the curve towards the tip isn't as steep. On Every Order is very similar to the tip is lowered, so slicing is a hassle, sharpening... The original Socom in 1996, it has more belly share our view on the left, clip point tanto... People love with this shape of blade is somewhat less aggressive then you usually see materials etc benchmade Bugout... A combo edge, it 's just a matter of preference: 1953 ; Re: tanto drop... 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More in everyday life, a tanto style knife user to have an excellent knife on your.! Style blades date back to before there was actually a name for them very well name! Definitely not all of them but a lot of the made meets the sharpened edge at an,. Which one of the blade to avoid stabbing things/people in Rescue scenarios Samurai swords my dad brought from! It takes minimal effort made it absolutely perfect, but it does have a stone, are. Since i prefer flat grinds and the tip is lowered, which makes it able to work with,. Than those they are relatively easy to sharpen your knife '' is useful it... Main obvious difference between the tanto blade and a combo edge, it has a broad.! Typical drop point: one of the favorite characteristics about a drop point test. A survival or tactical situation, you can actually pry with it as well to with... Is that it has a large belly, so slicing is a great option for everyday! 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From purchasing a blade with this type of point Ritter blade shape, you are going to easy!

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