| As ancient as mankind itself, the knife is the | | | | created purely as a weapon. Later, it developed |
| earliest form of weaponry for which there has | | | | into an aesthetically pleasing weapon. Yoshimitsu |
| been no substitute. Essential for survival, the knife | | | | was the greatest tanto maker in Japanese history |
| was developed out of necessity and has evolved | | | | and during his lifetime the tanto achieved a place |
| through the ages. From knives made of flint, to | | | | of artful design. A smaller version of the katana, |
| copper, to iron, humans have a unique relationship | | | | the tanto differs from others as it was designed |
| to this tool, creating it out of the strongest | | | | primarily as a stabbing instrument but possesses |
| material available and adorning them with patterns | | | | an edge that can slash as well. Unlike the katana, |
| and decoration. A knife is a personal possession | | | | tanto are forged in hira-zukuri, meaning they have |
| that is valued for its craftsmanship and usefulness. | | | | no ridge-line, unlike the shinogi-zukuri shape of the |
| Perhaps the most recognized knife in the world, | | | | katana. The classic Japanese tanto shape has the |
| the Bowie Knife has an intriguing history. The | | | | point of the knife in line with the spine of the |
| story begins in 1831 when Jim Bowie brought a | | | | blade and a graceful belly curve. With a blade |
| whittled wooden model of his ideal knife to | | | | length of only 6 to 12 inches, the tanto cuts soft |
| blacksmith James Black. Several weeks later, | | | | targets very well. The tanto were most often |
| Black had produced two knives. The second was | | | | carried by samurai, the military nobility of |
| a modified version of Bowie's design. Bowie chose | | | | pre-industrial Japan. Although commoners rarely |
| Black's version as it had a double edge. Soon, | | | | carried a tanto, women sometimes possessed a |
| Black was inundated with requests from | | | | small tanto in their obi, or shash, for self defense. |
| customers who wanted a knife like Bowie's. The | | | | A 12-inch fighting and utility knife, the Ka-Bar was |
| knife's unique shape and hallmark large blade | | | | first used by the U.S. Marines in World War II and |
| became popular for its use as both a weapon and | | | | has been carried into battle by Marines since. |
| as a tool for fishing and hunting. The knife also | | | | Originally designed as a hunting knife in the 1800s, |
| gained popularity as a result of a fight Bowie was | | | | the Ka-Bar reached popularity with soldiers who |
| involved in Texas with three men hired to hill him. | | | | needed a knife suited to trench warfare. Its final |
| Bowie killed his would-be assailants and the | | | | shape was decided by the Marine Corps, who |
| reputation of the Bowie knife was established. | | | | introduced a slightly longer blade, a smaller fuller, |
| After Bowie's death five years later at the Battle | | | | or beveled groove, on the flat side of the blade, |
| of the Alamo, both he and his knife became | | | | and the stacked leather handle. From box cutter |
| immensely famous. Over the years, many knives | | | | to can opener to hand-to-hand combat, the |
| have been referred to as Bowie knives. The term | | | | Ka-Bar is the preferred piece of equipment with |
| has become a generic one for any large sheath | | | | the U.S. Marine Corps and has become a symbol |
| knife. Despite all the variations, it is said that for a | | | | of the Marines. |
| knife to be considered a Bowie knife, it must be | | | | Safecutters Inc., provides an online store of utility |
| long enough to use as a sword, sharp enough to | | | | knife box cutters for opening shipping boxes and |
| use as a razor, wide enough to use as a paddle, | | | | shipping packages, as well as safety knives to |
| and heavy enough to use as a hatchet. Forged in | | | | open moving boxes and packages. For more |
| Japan during the Heian Period when Confucianism | | | | information about Klever Kutter and other |
| and other Chinese influences were at their height, | | | | Safecutters products contact us! |
| the tanto knife lacked any artistic value and was | | | | |