Full Tang Knives - What are the Benefits? Knowing your knife's tang is critical in making a significant impact on its strength and functionality. The tang is the unexposed part of the knife. It is hidden under its handle and holds the blade and the handle together. 

 

 

Full Tang Knives - What are the Benefits?

Different knives come in different sizes and forms, and tangs are classified accordingly as well. There are two main tangs, with specific variations in each: a full tang and a partial tang. 

FULL TANG: 

• Full
• Hidden
• Skeletonised
• Encapsulated
• Extended

 

PARTIAL TANG:

• Rat-tailed
• Push
• Partial
• Tapered

 

This article will focus on the full tang knives, their types, and their benefits for outdoor camping and survival adventure trips.

What is a Full Tang?

A full tang stretches from the blade to the bottom of the handle. If you were to remove the handle, the knife would be the same length. One can find a regular full tang in many survival knives. You can utilise them with little force in full strength, perfect for even the most extreme conditions and the roughest treatments.

The longer the tang, the better support you get and the better balance it provides. In addition, the excess hidden steel helps prevent the blade or the entire knife from bending or snapping. And because heavy-duty knives generally have a full tang, they're long-lasting and durable.

What are the types of Full Tang knives?

You would imagine a full tang to be one solid portion of steel hidden under the handle, but full tangs surprisingly come in various shapes and sizes.

Let's explore the different full tang shapes and how they provide overall functionality to a knife.

1. Full tang - This is the most basic type of full tang knife. A "full" full tang knife extends from the blade’s tip to the bottom of the handle—no holes, no bends, just a solid heavy knife overall. The handle is fastened on each side of the tang with metallic rivets.

2. Hidden tang - Instead of being a thick steel portion, the hidden tang is thinner in size. Survival knives with this type of tang have a lighter weight but lesser strength than a full tang knife.

3. Skeletonized Tang - Knives with this kind of tang are even lighter than hidden tang knives, as skeletonised tang knives have large holes in the centre of the tang. It's surprisingly strong even with most of the steel removed.

4. Encapsulated tang - As defined, the knife’s handle encapsulates the tang, making the tang invisible. They don't have much of a difference with a complete full tang knife in strength and durability; the handle just covers up the full tang.

5. Extended tang - Another type of full tang knife that extends out the end of the handle, creating a pommel. The extended part of the knife usually has a hole for lanyard purposes.

 

 

If you're keen to find out what type of knife you have or what kind of knife you want to purchase, the manufacturer or seller usually states whether the knife is a full tang or a partial tang. Make sure to check the full description of the item before deciding to purchase a full tang knife.

The Benefits of a Full Tang

Here are some benefits of getting a full tang knife: A full tang knife stays completely intact even after it’s put under a lot of pressure. Full tang knives are a better option for outdoor activities and survival adventure trips. You can quickly chop or baton wood and other materials -  animals included. Compared to a partial tang knife, the chances of the handle breaking apart is minor since force is more focused on the blade than the handle.

It prevents the risk of having carpal tunnel syndrome due to its balanced weight. Full tang knives are heavier than partial tang knives, but the weight is perfect for heavy-duty work.

If you want to invest in a sturdy, long-lasting survival knife, the full tang knife is the best choice.

 

Choosing Your Survival Knife

The Full Force Hunting website has a vast range of full tang knives perfect for the outdoors. Check out our shop at https://www.fullforcehunting.com.au/knives/, contact us at 0409 486 837, or message us on Facebook.