If for some reason you were to find yourself in a knife fight, would you rather have a tanto knife or a bowie knife?
Any knife connoisseurs here?
Serious question though.
Discussion
Tanto 🫡
the preferred choice appears to be machete
a bowie generally has a guard on the handle, which can help protect your fingers. The tanto is more a slashing knife than anything else.
Tanto would also have enough weight behind it, when swung, to break bones. The bowie would require closer combat, which is risky, but you can puncture with it in a killing blow.
neither. persian dagger fight 
Thats nice.
That is terrifying.
Tanto
Also, depends on the opponent? Interesting question. Hope alls OK!
What are your opponent considerations for selecting? Like requiring armor penetration, and thus going with the tanto?
Along with size, reach, skill-level. This reminds me for some reason of the Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher. Read those? Fun magical realism with dash of gumshoe detective.
Tanto is a sword though, short sword, but a sword.
Any reason for the two options?
As an untrained person I would prefer something optimised for stabbing: straight, pointy, sturdy, handguard
serious answer
You would need to specify a length range for this question.
A real fighting knife needs to be fit fit purpose. Those criteria change. An example of this is the change in military bayonets.
If you are fighting an opponent with a knife, that changes things.
If you are trying to kill an unarmed opponent anything can work.
A large bowie is a more versatile knife than the same length knife with a tanto-style blade.
Ford ad-libbed that scene in Raiders using the S&W revolver, it was supposed to be a sword fight, but he didn't want to shoot a long scene because of, well, digestive issues from the local food.
Lesson: the best way to win a knife fight, bring a gun.
Tanto for combat
I read an article written by a guy that had to use a knife in a handful of one on one confrontations during the Congolese Army’s strife against M23. He was saying the most effective single knife strike was a fake to the eyes with an empty hand (jab) and a thrust to the chest. I’d have to say Tanto.
Good to know.
First i'd try to gtfo of there. If that's not an option, i'd rather use the one I trained more with, which is a tanto.
5 dollar harbor freight machete. I also love the advantage of no knife in hand to hand.
If John Wick has taught us anything... 
For me personally if I had to choose only one knife I’d wanna be able to punch, slash and stab (with some degree of finger protection)
It’s very compact and for some that may be a negative
I love how much engagement this got
Bowie
Bowie, but not an enormous one.
In #UK, we have much experience with this.
Frequent users know best!
According to #AI:
"According to the Metropolitan Police, the most commonly used knife in street crime in the UK is a folding lock-knife . These types of knives are popular among criminals due to their compact size and ease of concealment. However, it's essential to note that knife crime statistics can vary by region and type of offence, making it challenging to pinpoint a single most-used knife type across the entire country.
Sources:
Metropolitan Police: Knife Crime Statistics and Trends
"
Noteworthy that the Bowie knife was designed for wilderness activities...
Also relevant in #US legal context regarding real knife fighting was this case:
The #Quash: #2A is meaningless to Minn S.Ct. You must retreat from threat.
Episode webpage: https://the-quash.captivate.fm/episode/2a-is-meaningless-to-minn-s-ct-you-must-retreat-from-threat
My vote is for the Emissary, because it's beautiful, practical , quality and legal carry length in most parts of the world where knives are #legal to carry even here where carrying guns isn't allowed at all, except for gangsterment members.
In most territories worldwide, it's illegal to carry fixed blade fighting knives, such as proper Bowie or Tanto!
I have one, but they are discontinued.
So, I guess most don't agree with me.
My second choice would be Bailout tanto:
Bowie, this one. 
Given the same blade length, similar hand protection, I would say Bowie over Tanto.
The Bowie has a heavier blade for cutting, the Tanto is a stabbing blade.
With minimal or no training, cutting is instinctual, (can also incapacitate quickly)...stabbing takes a cool head and more training (but is more deadly).
Either blade can do both though.
I would call upon David Bowie to soothe the conflict back to chill.
The Thin White Duke approves 😎
realistically I'd be using both hands to control the opponents knife rather than grabbing my own though
What ever that one was from crocodile dundee
Id prefer a good pair of shoes.
None
One is a type of knife point, the other is a specific type of knife. But both are great people openers. Main question is how bad did things go wrong that you ran out of ammunition in the first place 🤣
Bowie, cuz of #Bowie
#Bowie4ever ⚡
Good running shoes are what I would like, then.
machete or kukuri for me thnx
(not a knife fighting professional, just have learned a lot and have combat training, and enjoy tactical gear and a good blade.)
vs bowie… Tanto for a close-combat fighting knife where piercing is important. Plus this is a beautiful blade that will offer aesthetic enjoyment while not fighting. (Learn grappling along with this, though. Controlling limbs is imperative in knife fighting.) With the anti-gang, switchblade bans from the 50’s relaxing, look at the automatic tanto blades by microtech and benchmade. Nothing sweeter than a high quality automatic open and close blade for one handed operation. As it threat, the blade slapping out on its own is effective. As a surprise, you can palm the knife and outcomes the blade only when needed. In a car crash with a broken arm, you can still open the knife with one hand and cut the seatbelt without fumbling. Many benefits to single hand operation.
To clarify, I am presuming that you are not doing a high noon knife fight, where you both have selected your blade and show up with it already wielded. Knife fights can sneak up on a person, so a shorter blade is what I was leaning toward. Nobody’s going to run around with a Bowie knife in a scabbard all day, waiting for a knife fight.
Best weapon for a knife fight is cardio and a good pair of running shoes.