That’s because we have a ton of them to choose from, and your intended use will also define what is best for your needs. Picking out the best drop point knives is no easy task. For most people I don’t think it will be a discernible difference, but it’s another point to consider. With the curved edge of a drop point, the pressure will vary depending on where you are at in the cut. That’s because the pressure is applied uniformly along the edge. In some cases tantos can be slightly better at slicing. Generally speaking, a tanto blade is going to have a stronger tip, so if you are looking for the blade shape with better tip strength, generally speaking a tanto will be better. This will make a task like mincing garlic much harder with a tanto. On the flip side, you will never be able to “rock” the blade back and forth on a tanto like you will with a drop point. Tanto blades can be great for things like cutting out coupons, and other thin objects on flat surfaces. Both feature strong and capable tips, but the tanto blade has little to no belly, while the drop point features a good amount of belly.īoth are good blade shapes, and your choice will depend on your preference. Tanto Point BladesĪs I alluded to in the earlier section, tanto and drop point knives are very different.

Also, the tip is not as prominent, which makes it ideal for skinning, and for disemboweling quarry without puncturing their organs. It doesn’t provide as much belly as a clip point, but it’s pretty good. Generally you want a knife with a good amount of belly for a hunting knife, and the drop point delivers that. They are great for wood work, chopping, and general utility work.įinally, drop point knives can be a good choice for a hunting knife. Once again, that’s because they are such a versatile blade shape, with a good tip, belly, and plenty of edge. The fine tip of a drop point is excellent for thrust cuts, and if you get one with an adequately sized blade, it can be a great “martial blade”.ĭrop point knives are also popular in camp and survival knives. Most good tactical knives double as utility blades, so no surprises there. It’s a traditional knife shape that many people associate with utility.ĭrop point knives are also popular for tactical knives. Drop point knives come with a good tip for detail work, some belly for tasks that benefit from a knife with belly (mostly food preparation and crunching cuts), and a good amount of straight cutting edge, which is ideal for slicing.ĭrop points are also a little less aggressive looking than something like a clip point, wharncliffe, or tanto blade. It’s a popular choice because it’s simple and visually pleasing, but also highly functional. Many great daily carry blades come in a drop point configuration. What is a Drop Point Knife Used For?ĭrop point knives are versatile, and are used for a variety of tasks.įirst of all, they are great for Every Day Carry (EDC) knives. The knife on the bottom is the SOG Terminus XR with a classic drop point blade. The knife on the top is the Cold Steel Medium Voyager with a clip point blade. Are we confused yet? Better to illustrate this with a photo: Another way to look at it is the spine of a clip point is concave, while the spine of a drop point is convex. The spine of the drop point always drops down. The spine of a clip point, or trailing point knife, curves back away from the handle.

Here’s my ESEE Zancudo with a slowly sloping drop point, that drops to the point where it’s almost a spear point:Ĭontrast the drop point with a clip point. There are many variations on the drop point. It drops down from the handle to the point, or tip of the blade, hence “drop point”. It features a classic drop point blade:Ī drop point blade features a spine that slopes from the handle of the knife to the tip of the blade. Here is a picture of the Benchmade Bugout. You will be hard pressed to find a more useful all round blade shape. The drop point is simple, visually pleasing, and practical. The drop point is the most common blade shape, and for good reason.

Droppoint knives