The full tang blade is a true atlante of the knife world. This type of knife design is incredibly strong, robust and durable for a reason.

Introduction: Understanding Knife Anatomy 

But before we break down everything about full tang meaning, let’s first talk about the anatomy of the knife in general. As we all know, a knife consists of a blade, a hilt and a guard (if the knife is tactical, to protect your fingers from slipping on the blade). The methods of attaching the knife to the handle vary:

  • Rat-tail tang. In this case, the blade shank tapers and ends at the base of the hilt. Such a shank is glued or screwed into the hilt.
  • Hidden tang. The blade has a shank that does not extend all the way through the hilt, but only part of it. The handle is slipped onto the tang and can be attached with glue or pins.
  • Rivet construction. This method is often used in traditional knives and kitchen knives. The blade and handle are attached using rivets or rivets that are routed through the blade and handle.
  • The encapsulated tang. This is a type of knife construction where the tang (the portion of the blade that extends into the handle) is fully encapsulated or surrounded by the handle material. This construction method typically involves molding or forming the handle material around the tang, providing a secure and often seamless connection between the blade and the handle.
  • And finally, Full tang. This method involves the blade extending through the full length of the knife handle all the way or nearly all the way through, meaning that the blade is an extension of the shank. The handle is slipped over the blade and secured with bolts, screws or pins that pass through holes in the handle and blade. 

What Exactly is Full Tang? 

In addition to what has already been said, this knife also has a nice bonus! Hilt can be wound, meaning you can simply wrap rope, strips of leather and the like around the grip. This looks cool and is a great replacement for a damaged handle when you are knee-deep in mud in the jungle and the nearest workshop is 200 kilometers away on all four.

Benefits of Full Tang Knives 

The benefits of this design are plentiful:

Increased Strength and Durability 

When the blade and shank are one and the same, it gives the construction outstanding durability. This knife can be used for chopping branches, bones, as a lever for rock climbing and even as a crowbar (in case of great emergency, of course).

Balance and Handling 

Full tang knife is designed in such a way that the shank and blade are one and the same, which contributes to the excellent balance of the knife.

Reliability and Stability 

A full tang knife is known for its superior reliability and stability compared to other types of knives, primarily due to its construction. As said above, it’s made from a single piece of metal that extends from the blade through the handle, this means excellent structural durability.

Full Tang knives from BPS Knives 

And WHAT A MIRACLE, we have awesome full tang knives in our shop! Check it out:

Beta 

If you need a reliable knife for hiking and daily work, we present you with our Beta knife.

Its blade is made of D2 steel, so the blade stays sharp for a long time, which makes it an ideal choice for camping or hunting. The knife is extremely strong and well-balanced, it is perfect for cutting ropes, cords and even chopping firewood.

 

Beta from BPS Knives

 

Nighthawk Adventurer 

And here is our knife called Nighthawk Adventurer. It is named so not accidentally, as it will be more than perfect company for you in hiking conditions. It comes with a sheath with a flint, which means that you will be able to light a fire in any conditions, which is very important when you are in the middle of nowhere.

This knife is versatile. You want to cut a rope? No problem! Need to clean fresh animal skin? Without any questions! Need to cut through tough cloth? A simple matter.

 

Nighthawk Adventurer from BPS Knives

 

BS1FT CSH 

It is not always possible or desirable to carry a massive and heavy cleaver everywhere! Just for such cases we have made a BS1FT CSH knife.

This knife is the embodiment of the phrase “ready for anything”, a universal and compact tool that can be used for almost any task.

 

BS1FT CSH from BPS Knives

 

Rosemary

We finish the list with our beautiful full tang chef knife. Great at cutting meat and bones, the blade is made from 5Cr14MoV stainless steel and is 56-57 HRC for overall strength and durability. Ultimate choice for cooking in your hiking camp.

 

Rosemary from BPS Knives

 

Maintenance and Care for Full Tang Knives 

These knives are the most durable and long-lasting, but even they need decent care or they will turn into scrap metal. You can avoid this in the following ways:

  • Clean it after use! Always clean your knife after each use. Use warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid harsh abrasives or steel wool, which can scratch the blade.
  • Dry it. Immediately after washing, dry the knife thoroughly with a soft cloth to prevent water spots and rust.
  • Lubricate it with specialised oil. Regularly apply a thin layer of food-safe mineral oil or knife oil to the blade to protect it from corrosion, especially if the knife is made of carbon steel.
  • Ensure proper knife storage. Store your knife in a case, sheath or magnetic strip to protect the edge and prevent damage. Don’t store knives in drawers where they can hit other utensils.
  • Sharpen the knife regularly. Keep your knife sharp to maintain its cutting properties. Use a sharpening stone or sharpener designed for your type of knife. Full tang knives usually keep their edge well, so regular maintenance with sharpening and occasional sharpening is enough.
  • Don’t use them to cut metal wire or stab rocks. Avoid cutting on hard surfaces such as glass, stone or ceramic slabs as they can dull or damage the knife blade. Give preference to cutting boards made of wood, bamboo or plastic. Avoid twisting or pushing motions that can cause stress at the blade/hilt joint.
  • Handle care. If the handle is made of wood or other natural materials, treat it periodically with wood conditioner or mineral oil to prevent drying and cracking.
  • Check regularly. Check your knife regularly for any signs of wear, such as chips or cracks in the blade or handle. Repair any problems immediately to prevent further damage.

Conclusion

That’s it folks, buying a full tang knife is always a great idea, such a knife will serve you well for many years, being a very useful tool for tourism, hunting and survival as well as for house work.

So go ahead, choose and buy a knife you like, such a blade should be in every home and family.