The term “tanto” refers to a blade style. For instance, the Toor Knives Mullet T has a tanto-style blade, so it’s accurate to call the Mullet T a tanto. But did you know Toor Knives also created a model explicitly named “Tanto”? One could say Toor’s Tanto isn’t just a tanto, but it’s the Tanto. Honestly, I think it works, and I bet many who’ve seen it would agree.

How I ended up with a Tanto is a story that’s interesting, at least to me. It was late June 2023, and I was already a fan of Toor Knives, which remains one of my favorite production knife makers. I received one of their marketing emails with the subject line: The Tanto is RETURNING! Wondering which tanto they were promoting, I opened the email and discovered the Tanto—a limited release that hadn’t returned to Toor’s lineup since 2020. It was my first time seeing it, and I found it to be one of the most wicked, aesthetically pleasing tanto blades I’d ever encountered. I had to have it, so I clicked a link in the email for more details.

Initially curious, I was hooked once I saw the specs: a 9.5″ knife with a 5.5″ blade and a 4″ handle, crafted from CPM S35VN—one of my favorite steels. The handle scales were made from G10, a durable, reliable material, and it came with a Kydex sheath. These are all solid choices you’d expect from Toor, but the steel stood out. At the time, I recalled Toor primarily using CPM 154, not CPM S35VN, which I preferred. Needless to say, I was sold.

Instead of impulsively buying it immediately, I decided to message Toor on X (possibly still Twitter then) to ask if they’d send me one to review. As expected, they declined, but their reasoning surprised me. They explained that, as a limited release, the Tanto wasn’t available for review. However, they expressed interest in having me review something from their standard lineup. The conversation evolved, eventually leading to an affiliate relationship and a review of their Field 3.0 knife.

Of course, a declined review request didn’t stop me from getting a Tanto. I ordered one anyway because, as I said, I had to have it. And so, I got it.

As some longtime readers know, I have a complicated relationship with tantos. I’m drawn to their aesthetics but find bellied blades better suited for most tasks I use knives for. So, I buy tantos but rarely use them beyond occasionally wielding one as a steak knife, which used to amuse my kids when they were younger. The Tanto is no exception. It looks badass, but I seldom put it to work.

What always catches my eye first is the Tanto’s exaggerated secondary edge, extending from the tip to the primary edge, which continues to the choil. On most tantos, the secondary edge is typically 1″ to 1.5″ long, making the primary edge significantly longer. Not so with Toor’s Tanto. With a notably more obtuse angle joining the primary and secondary edges, it boasts a 2.5″ primary edge and a 2.75″ secondary edge—a balance that avoids looking comical only because it’s so menacing.

A few stylistic touches enhance its appeal. The stepped spine, raised toward the tip, adds to the secondary edge’s length and gives the Tanto a unique profile I haven’t seen on other tanto blades. Below the step are quarter-spherical cuts alternating side to side from the step to the handle. You could call them jimping, as they provide a slight grip where you’d apply thumb pressure, but they’re not jimping in the traditional sense. Either way, these features elevate the Tanto’s appearance.

Toor’s handle scales often feel too thin for me, leading to hot spots during prolonged use. This is hand-size and morphology-dependent, so it won’t apply to everyone, but it’s a recurring issue for me with many Toor knives. Fortunately, the Tanto’s G10 scales are an exception. I’d prefer them slightly thicker, but they fit well enough. The contouring and scalloped texture are comfortable, showing no signs of potential hot spots.

As much as I love the Tanto, I think Toor Knives made the right call keeping it a limited release. Aesthetically, it’s badass, with fantastic fit and finish. Functionally, however, the exaggerated design limits its utility. For a well-built, general-purpose tanto, I’d recommend the Mullet T from Toor’s standard lineup. But if you’re all about looking the part, the Tanto is perfect. Unfortunately, you’ll likely need to check the secondary market, as I’m unaware of the Tanto returning since its second limited release in the summer of 2023.