Unsolicited Praise: Ken Brock Knives
 

Or shameless plug..... :)
Just received this customized tanto...wow, can't wait to have to rescue a patient trapped in a car that I get to use that knife to go through the car door or roof to open like a sardine can. This is a knife built for work!
Sorry Ken, had to share here too.......

ss

Nice work Ken.
I like those blades you can use to pry a railroad engine off the tracks with. :lifter

Although I agree that Ken's knives are amazing, I can't help but think that this self titled "shameless plug" is nothing more than an attempt at jumping the line for a Brock/George Folder. I say nice try, but back of the line for you!:D

Good buy. That thing's built like a wrecking bar. Nice work Mr. Brock.

DDD,
Not sure if you saw my question to Les about being able to change the pocket clip for either right or left side deployment...that would make it a really desirable folder to own.

Ok., how can you blame a guy for trying?

You can't:D I'm pretty sure I'm out of the running due to a couple comments I made on another forum.....Damn Brock gets so thin skinned sometimes:p

That's a beautiful blade there.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between a traditional tanto tip and an "Americanized tanto tip"?

In the pictures it appears the tip is thicker, more of a chisel-type tip, on the Americanized blade but I've not had a chance to view this style blade in person.

Nice looking knife Ken!

thanks for the kind words guys!

I'm sure Mr. Harsey can answer the traditional vs. Amercianized tanto question but here's my stab at it

the traditional Japanese tanto had a grind more like the top knife in the picture attached here.

The Americanized version is angular and had a secondary grind on the tip, like the knife that Swatsurgeon posted or like the bottom knife in the picture I attached

To follow up on PedOncoDoc's question, can you please explain the theory behind the change? Tip strength seems the most obvious but, since I'm not knife-wise, I'm not sure of the "mission" on the tanto blade.

Pat

to be quite honest, I'm not sure who came up with the Americanized version or why

the first time I remember seeing it was in the late 80's on the Cold Steal knives

IIRC, Cold Steal claimed that Dan Maragni (spelling?) had designed it

but I seem to remember that Bob Lum was doing them also

I'm sure Bill has more knowledge about it


after all, I was just a kid back in the 80's and Bill was............................not a kid

:D

Ken,
Bob Lum was the first designer and maker of the American tanto.

The word Tanto in Japan refers to a specific length of edged weapon of about between 6 and 12 inches.

In that blade length I have seen examples of many types of blade shapes and types including full double edges and triangular in cross section armor piercing spikes.

Many traditional tantos have very simple clean blade designs.
Here is one by the bladesmith and friend of mine Michael Bell of http://dragonflyforge.com/ who lives here in Oregon.
I'll call Michael later and ask If I can post this here.
The Tanto is for sale.