Tanto Blade

Fighting Knives: Knife Basics

Fighting knives are a type of knife that are designed to be used for fighting – self defense, military, law enforcement, etc. If you are planning on purchasing a fighting knife, there are a few characteristics that you will want to consider:

Blade Length

Most fighting knives have a blade between 5” and 8″ long. This length is short enough to be easily controlled and handles with one hand, while long enough to be effective and deadly.

Blade Shape

The two primary blade shapes used for fighting knives are Tanto and Clip. The tanto blade has an angled point (instead of a curved one) and is primarily designed for stabbing and piercing. A good clip blade can be used for slashing/cutting or stabbing/piercing.

Blade Material

Usually, you want a knife made of a quality high carbon steel. Choose a steel that is strong and holds an edge well. Usually, you will not need to the blade to be stainless steel. Just keep it oiled.

Handle Construction

Fighting knives usually need to have a quillon, or other guard to keep your hand from accidentally sliding up onto the blade of the knife. The handle should be easy to grip firmly and use in a variety of positions.

Price

You don’t need to go broke to buy a good fighting knife. Most good knives run anywhere from about $40 to $150. You can find a few for less than this, and there are quite a few more expensive ones, but you certainly don’t need to spend over $100 or so to get a good knife. A good example of a popular, quality fighting knife is the US Marine Corp Fighting Knife, which is made by Kabar. You can this knife for well under $100.

Laws

You should be aware that laws regarding knives vary from area to area. You should check your state and local laws before your purchase a fighting knife.

About the Author

Check out our selection of fighting knives by Ka-Bar, Cold Steel, Kershaw, and others. All knives we sell are priced well below retail. Every knife we sell is backed by our 100% money back guarantee. Click here to view our fighting knife selection.

BENCHMADE 553 GRIPTILIAN-BLACK TANTO BLADE…

Maxam® Fixed Blade Knife $22.90 Features stainless steel honed Tanto blade with black non-glare finish, G-10 handle and leather sheath. Measures 13-7/8 inches overall, with a 7-3/4 inch blade. Limited lifetime warranty. Gift boxed.Stainless Steel Honed Tanto BladeBlack Non-Glare FinishG-10 HandleLeather SheathMeasures 13-7/8 inches Overall, with a 7-3/4 inch bladeLimited Lifetime Warranty…

Entrek USA Knives Jag 440C Stainless Tanto Blade Entrek Knives New Knives that are made in the USA Materials from US companies Heat treating done at Blanchard Metals Processing in Salt Lake City, Utah Ground blanks are heated in a vacuum furnace then air quenched, tempered, subzero stabalized and redrawn to 57-58 RC which gives the best all round performance Entrek Jag 9″ overall 4 3/8″ 440C stainless tanto blade Bead blast finish…

Benchmade 480 Shoki – Nakamura Design Folder G10/Winewood Handle Plain Edge 2.9 in. Blade & Leather Sheath & Famed Pocket Pal Sharpener for Plain & Serrated Edge Blades $170.00 The 480 Shoki is the embodiment of a gentleman’s carry. No details were overlooked in the production of this elegant tool, including the brand new Nak-Lok, beautifully contoured G10 and stabilized wine wood handle scales, radiant blue anodized titanium liners, and rich black nickle hardware. The stainless steel backspacer utilizes cutting edge MIM technology to emulate custom hand file work, the h…

Japanese Silk Wrapped Handles with Don Polzien (2 DVDs) $45.00 Don Polzien has been making all types of knives for over 15 years. He specializes in traditional Japanese pieces, especially Tanto Knives (short blades 12 inches and shorter). These consist of many blade styles, as well as endless varieties of Saya (Scabbards) and fittings. In this DVD Don will take you step-by-step from material selection to tools required as well as give you his insight on how t…

Blade Taking: Bokken/tanto Tori & Sannin Waza: Takeshin Aiki-ju-jutsu Sandan Henka $129.00 In Takeshin Aiki, third black belt requirements contain weapon defenses (specifically, mock-blade disarms) as well as escapes from three attackers. This video also gives a sampling of freestyle vs. three people. ? Bokken (Wooden Sword) Basics ? Entries ? Basic Rank Requirements ? vs. Bokken Shomen-uchi (Wooden Sword Direct Head Strike) ? A Note on Terms ? vs. Shomen-uchi (Direct Head Strike) Conti…

Kissaki Pro Hair Tanto 5 Hair Cutting Shears & Mune-Yaki 23 tooth Thinning Scissors Combo $209.99 Tanto 5.0″ Hair Cutting Shears & Mune-Yaki 5.0″ 23 tooth Thinning shears featuring a straight grip with the easy click spring tension adjustment knob. Also featuring the Kissaki ultra sharp Convex edge, triple hand honed and hollow ground for durability and Razor sharpness. Made from the Highest Quality Japanese 440C Stainless Steel (Rockwell Hardness of 60 – 61) and polished to a brilliant Mirror…

M16-13 Special Forces – Black Tanto Blade, AutoLAWKS, Combo Edge …

Bandai Year 2011 Power Rangers Samurai Series 4-1/2 Inch Tall Action Figure – Gold Light Samurai Ranger with Barracuda Blade Tanto and Sheath Plus Phone (31512) Bandai Year 2011 Power Rangers Samurai Series 4-1/2 Inch Tall Action Figure – Gold Light Samurai Ranger with Barracuda Blade Tanto and Sheath Plus “Phone” (31512)…

Tops Knives 107D Steel Eagle Tanto Fixed Blade Knife with Sawback Spine Black Linen Micarta Handles & Nylon Sheath $182.82 Tops Steel Eagle Tanto Fixed Blade Knife with Sawback: Model TP-107D. 12 3/4″ overall. 6 5/8″ black coated 1095 carbon steel tanto blade with sawback. Full tang construction. Black linen micarta handles. Lanyard hole. Black ballistic nylon sheath included. Made in the USA….

Tributo a La Salsa Colombiana 3 CD+DVD $15.99 CD + DVD: 1. Medley Salsa Colombiana 3: – Tributo A La Salsa 3 – Ana Mile – Amor Traicionero – Nuestro Sueno – Yamule Mau – Perfume De Paris – Buscandote 2. Ana Mile 3. Perfume De Paris 4. Por Ti Morire 5. Vete Ya 6. Nuestro Sueno 7. Buscandote 8. Se Parecio Tanto A Ti 9. Aposte Por Ti 10. Y Tu No Estas 11. Que Nunca Me Falte 12. El Amor Todo Lo P…

Hogue Green Camo G10 Frame 4-inch Tumble Finish Tanto Blade $172.99 This Hogue 4-inch tanto blade with a tumble finish is a perfect accessory for any occasion. The G10 frame is strong and will last for years to come.

Hogue Black G10 Fram 4-inch Tumble Finish Tanto Blade $161.99 Brand: HogueModel: 34149G10 Frame

Smith & Wesson Border Guard 2 Tanto Rescue Knife $24.53 A multi-function knife designed for first responders, the Smith & Wesson Border Guard 2 Tanto Rescue Knife features an integrated seat-belt cutter. This knife also offers a glass breaker, and a high carbon stainless steel Tanto blade.