OTF Blade Shapes Explained: Dagger, Tanto, Drop Point
Our OTF knives mostly come in one of three blade shapes: the dagger, the tanto and the drop point, each with or without serrations. A dagger has a sharp, centred point and a symmetrical look. A tanto has an angled, squared-off tip. A drop point has a spine that slopes down to a strong point. The right one depends on how you plan to use the knife, and this guide explains the trade-offs with real examples from our OTF Knives collection.
Why blade shape matters
The shape of the blade decides where the point sits, how strong that point is, and how much straight edge you have to cut with. On an OTF knife the blade travels straight out of the front of the handle, so the shape you see in the listing photos is exactly what you get at the business end. Our listings name the shape in the product title, so it is easy to filter by eye as you browse. If you are new to how OTFs work, start with What Is an OTF Knife?
Double-edge dagger
A dagger blade has a very sharp point and usually one or two sharpened edges, and it is designed for thrusting as well as cutting. Its symmetry is a big part of its appeal, which is why daggers are popular as display and "art" knives too.
- Good for: a fine, centred point and a balanced, symmetrical look.
- Keep in mind: on a double-edge blade both edges are sharp, so take extra care when handling and cleaning.
Not every dagger-shaped blade is sharpened on both sides, so read the listing. For example, our OTF Automatic Knife, 6.75" 440 Dagger Blade, Black (LE-291SBKCFDB) is listed with a "440 Stainless Steel Double-Edge Dagger" blade, 6.75" overall, 4" closed and a 2.75" blade.
Tanto
The Western-style tanto takes its name from the Japanese tantō, but its tip is squared off at an angle instead of curving to a point. That angled tip is said to help with stabbing and to make sharpening simpler. The style has become commercially popular.
- Good for: a tip with a lot of steel behind it, and straight edges that are simple to sharpen.
Drop point
On a drop point, the spine slopes down from the handle to the tip. Because the spine runs all the way to the point, the tip is stronger, and the point lines up with the centre of the knife. The drop point is a common design for hunting knives.
- Good for: general-purpose cutting and a sturdy, controllable point.
Half-serrated edges
A blade edge can be plain, serrated, or a combination of both. Serrations are better suited to tasks that need an aggressive sawing motion, while a plain edge is better for push-through cuts. A half-serrated blade combines a serrated section with a plain section on the same edge, so you get some of each; the listing photos show where the serrations sit. You will find half-serrated tanto, drop point and dagger OTFs in our range, and some models list a fully "serrated" dagger blade, so check the title and photos.
- Good for: mixing sawing cuts and clean push cuts on one knife.
- Keep in mind: less plain edge is left for push cuts, so if you rarely need to saw, a plain edge may suit you better.
Quick chooser
| If you mostly want… | Look at |
|---|---|
| A fine, centred point and a symmetrical look | Dagger |
| A tip with plenty of steel behind it and simple straight edges | Tanto |
| A strong, all-round point for general cutting | Drop point |
| Clean push cuts | Any plain-edge blade |
| Cuts that need a sawing motion | Half-serrated |
Browse by shape
One published example of each shape, with the facts as listed:
- Dagger: LE-291SBKCFDB, 440 stainless steel double-edge dagger, 6.75" overall, 4" closed, 2.75" blade, black zinc alloy frame with carbon fiber scales and pocket clip.
- Tanto: OTF Automatic Knife, 7" Black Tanto Blade, Green Zinc Alloy Handle (LE-1112SGNTP), 7" overall, 4.15" closed, pocket clip and nylon pouch.
- Drop point: OTF Automatic Knife, 7" Satin Drop Point Blade, Blue Zinc Alloy Handle (LE-112SBLCPS), satin stainless steel, 7" overall, 4.15" closed, pocket clip and nylon pouch.
- Half-serrated: OTF Automatic Knife, 7" Half-Serrated Tanto Blade, Black Handle (LE-501SBKTP), 440C stainless steel half-serrated tanto, 7" overall.
Where to go next
Pick the shape that matches how you will actually use the knife, then compare sizes and carry options on each listing. Every shape above is in the OTF Knives collection. Laws on automatic knives vary by location, so check yours before you buy.
