To Full Tang or Not: Make the Right Decision

Posted by SwordsSwords on Dec 12th 2018

In the most simplistic term, the tang of the knife refers to the unsharpened, usually protected part of the blade. It reaches down the handle. While buying a knife, it is important to consider which tang suits your taste more; whether it is a full tang knife or a partial tang. The guide below will help you make the right decision. To first decide on the suitability, one has to know the difference between a Full Tang and Partial Tang.

Beginning with the full tang

A knife with a full tang indicates a solid piece of the metal extending down the handle from tip to grip. The handle part of the blade comprises two slabs of grip matter; attached by epoxy and pins to the sides of the tang.

As for the partial tang

In a partial tang, the blade generally extends partially through the handle and is very thin and narrow. An adhesive usually an epoxy and rivets are used to secure the grip. Such tang designs include stub, half and three-quarter tangs, depending on the extension of the tang into the handle of the tool.

Is a full tang knife the way forward?

When it comes to a Full Tang knife, its strength is the stand out advantage which allows for an increase in force and leverage. A full tang is a much wider handle construction. Hence, it can resist bending more promptly which makes it much more useful and efficient against hard materials and heavy tasks. Moreover, a full tang has a greater amount of stock metal in the handle. That is beneficial in altering the balancing points of the knife as the blade is often heavier than the handle. The added weight of the handle offsets the weight of the blade and moves the rotational balancing point back towards the hand which in turn makes it easier to manipulate the knife, hence, making it more nimble and agile. Another thing to consider is that a full tang knife is not very practical for regular use as the edges are exposed to corrosion. A stainless steel tang can also significantly corrode over time if exposed to oils, blood, and water continuously. However, knives like Urban Tiger Camo are not only made of Stainless Steel with a very sharp edge but also electroplated to protect and prolong the life of the blade. Otherwise, proper maintenance can counter the problem of corrosion generally and the knife can keep looking as it should. Overall, full tang handles are strong with a definite visual appeal when well constructed.

Or is a partial tang Knife more your thing?

A partial tang knife, as opposed to a full tang knife, does not leverage much force against the material being cut and its resistance. Such designs are more suitable for light-weight knives as the force is limited to the handle of the knife. Despite this shortcoming, there are advantages in using this style of the knife; the handle is light-weighted and the knife can have unique shaped and characteristic materials for the handle like a crown stag. Moreover, Partial tangs offer complete protection against moisture and thermal expansion in the tang.

The time for Decision

Looking at the limits of a partial tang knife and some awful knife constructions everywhere; the stronger full tang is the choice for me. However, knowing the purpose of the use of the knife will leave you better informed about choosing the most suitable option for you. If Full Tang is your ultimate choice, you can buy the best full tang bowie knives and full tang battle ready swords at swordsswords.com