Can't Shouldn't You Do With Partial Tang?

[Cameron Duck]

Hi everyone,
I know the general rule of thumb is to always go with full tang but there is a knife I'm looking at that isn't too large 25cm (9.8 inches) with a blade of 13.5cm (5.3 inches). I'm not fully convinced it is full tang but it looks great. I would like to get it and use it for your typical camp chores so feathering, chopping small wood and possibly battoning but mostly I want it so I can give it to my children when they're old enough and so fourth.

So basically, for what I plan to do with it, is partial tang worth it? Will it be reliable?

 

[evilgreg]

IMO, the "anything less than a full tang is useless" common wisdom is worth about what people pay for it.

I've done criminally stupid things to a Mora without it spontaneously imploding due to its lack of a full tang.

 

[jbmonkey]

partial and stick or rat tail type tangs can be very strong. I wouldnt avoid it just due to just that. depends also on other things such as radiused where the guard, if it has one, and partial begins and what steel and how its heat treated etc.

 

[pinnah]

90% of this is knowing when to back off with knots.

I batton with partial tang knives and haven't busted one yet.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think a well made knife with a partial tang should work well. I wouldn't abuse it like you might a BK-2 or ESEE 5. I have a couple blackjack classics that have reduced tangs and I wouldn't be afraid to use any of them in the way you describe.

 

[gadgetgeek]

As has been said, there are other factors that will make a bigger difference in the quality of the knife than if it is just a partial tang. It could be a well made knife, or it could be junk, disclosing the maker/seller would give a better indicator of the quality of the knife.