Though some would argue that this is a fantastic self-defense knife (which I’m sure it is), I find it quite useful for punching holes in other things, and as a replacement for the standard razor blade laden utility knife. Other than looking at the family tree, the tanto is aggressively styled, with a punching point, and sharp trailing edge that makes for an intelligently angled cutting machine.
No, it’s not because I think I’m a samurai, but the tanto does have a rich Japanese lineage, with regard to its close resemblance to the Japanese short sword and it’s name deriving from the same object. Fine Points: My personal favorite blade type to kick around in the workshop is by far the tanto blade knife.