[Special design characteristics of the Japanese "Tan-to" (knife) as criteria for dangerousness].

The great angle gauge of the blade top and the asymmetrical sharpening of the edge, the thickness of the blade (nearly 0.3 cm) and especially the short sharpened blade top give excellent stability of the cutting edge of this instrument and of its blade top. Flat bones can be perforated very easily without damaging the blade top. In recent times a newly developed Japanese tan-to is available in the FRG. The blade of this dagger can be fixed at right angles to the knife-handle, ready for use just as an "American San Francisco Push-Dagger" or an Indian "katar", obviously very dangerous weapons. The possession of this new generation of Japanese tan-to should be legally prohibited.