Have you ever wondered about what “full tang” means while searching for a survival or self-defense knife?
What is a Full Tang Knife?
In weaponry, the tang is also known as a shank. According to Wikipedia, it is the back portion of a tool which extends down to the handle. In the case of a knife, it is the opposite part of its metal’s sharp edge. The two main designs used by self-defense weapon manufacturers are the full and partial tang.
When you say “full tang knife,” it means that the metal or the blade of the knife goes all the way down to the butt of its handle.
On the other hand, a partial tang knife has a blade that does not go all the way down to the opposite tip of the handle.
The Benefits of a Full Tang Knife
The benefit of a full tang knife against a partial tang knife mainly lies on its durability and ability to absorb force. A partial tang knife’s handle has the tendency to break or wiggle when struck against a very hard object or when its blade absorbs too much force from an impact. However, a full tang knife is more resilient because its metal that extends up to the end of the handle is capable of absorbing more pressure.
