When I think about an EDC system, I think of a system that is simple and practical. The knife is probably the most common and obvious piece of gear in an EDC system. For me, the Tanto blade is the ruling knife design for most possible uses. There are so many other knife designs to choose from, but I think that the Tanto is the best design for general utility and defense.
The Tanto was as a dagger commonly used by Japanese Samurai warriors. The dagger was either double or single-edged and was between 6-12 inches long. It was designed specifically for penetrating armor but also acted as an effective slashing weapon as well. Today, the Tanto design has been resurrected and modernized for use in the tactical community. As you see above, the designs vary a bit, but the general concept of the modern Tanto is the same. Generally, you will find them to have a straight edge following the thickest part of the spine, and then a direct turn to the edge. All the edges on the blade are straight with no significant curvature.
The modern Tanto is typically one-sided and utilizes an angle no more than 45 degrees for the tip, which is supposed to give the blade a stabbing edge over other designs. This provides additional support for the tip of the blade by forming it into a triangle, which is the strongest shape.
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