Definition of "full tang"?

[Mrknot]

I am sure this has probably covered ad nauseum on this forum, but a search for "full tang" ended up generating alot of results, but not the one I am looking for.

Another user and I on a different forum got into a debate not too long ago about the definition of "full tang".
His contention is that unless the tang is visible around the edges of the handle, (think Becker, ESEE), then a knife cannot be considered full tang.
I say that if the tang runs the length of the handle, (Gerber LMF, KaBar, AF PSK), it can be called full tang.
So, I call on your collective expertise...who's right?

 

[stvpourciau]

Kabar = Full length, hidden tang; Been drilled to death by the company themselves. Not a rat tail

Becker, full width tang

 

[JungleJim65]

From Wikipedia: A full tang extends the full length and width of the grip-portion of a handle, versus a partial tang which does not.

There is a wide variety of full and partial tang designs. In perhaps the most common design in full tang knives, the handle is cut in the shape of the tang and handle "slabs" are then fastened to the tang by means of pins, screws, bolts, metal tubing, epoxy, etc. The tang is left exposed along the belly, butt, and spine of the handle, extending both the full length and width of the handle. It is a misconception that a tang running the length of the grip can be called full tang. Such claims are a typical marketing scam used by low quality weapons makers and sellers.

 

[Knivery]

I've always felt 'full tang' meant the handles were filled with tang, usually visible all around the handle. Not sure if it still qualifies if it's still a full tang but 'covered' by handle all around or in places. That may be down to semantics.

Anything else, where the tang is lesser or modified down, hidden in the handle and not visible is not full tang. Rat-tail or rat tang for example, where it's kind of like a capped tooth--just a stub of tang in the handle compared to the blade size and width.