Extended Tangs...what's ya thoughts ?

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Messages
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I have two blades with extended tangs, I have used one of them maybe a couple of times, so hardly worth having it !

What's your thoughts, is it better to have one and not need it than need it and not have it ?
 
I've never needed an extended tang for anything. Others may use them, but I don't. They also look silly to me. Don't even really like the "glassbreaker" pommel on my RC-3. Doesn't really hinder use any, but it's just not my thing.
 
I'm with rocketbomb on this. Never had to use an extended tang/pommel. I tend to use my knives solely as knives... cutting, slicing, etc. Don't really pry, hammer, baton with knives. To each their own, though...

AJ
 
I have one knife with a partially extended tang - a Delta 5 kit knife. I have never used the extended tang for anything, BUT I do find it handy for keeping the lanyard profile from extending beyond the scale profile (as the lanyard hole is in the extended section). I would certainly consider adding a similar feature to some of my future knives.

Best,

- Mike
 
Well, I just made one.................... It looks really cool. That is about all I can say right now. It does allow me to strike a firesteel off of the tang though. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697716


I don't see it getting in the way of anything, but some like em and some don't. It would be a hinderance if you wanted to grab the knife and do like a stabbing motion with your thumb on the butt of the knife. That could be a bit damaging to ones thumb indeed. I do like it on there though.

Nick:)
 
love em. Wish all my blades had em. great for window breaching, marking on wood, cracking bones for marrow.

my favorite is my handley bladesmith TAC EDC, with a pointy-ish extended tang.
 
I kinda got used to having them on my Busses..if you need to crack a hickory nut or black walnut (both very hard) or tap in a nail for securing a fishing line its more accurate with the butt than to try and do it with the side or spine of the blade..the old "survival standby" that I cut my teeth on (K-Bar) had the hammer pommel..just different strokes for different folks I guess.
 
I like an extended tang on a knife if it is of useful shape, like the Siegle SAR4. Works great for pounding on with a log if it needs to be driven into something.
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I have never had much use for a "skull crusher" but I can see a glass breaker being useful in the right situation.
 
I like em, but I don't mind if they are missing too. They do give a knife some appeal. I'll use em' to pry nails out of trees.
 
I like the tang on my BK-2. It's not really extended, but it does extend to the back of the butt, and I've used it often for smacking things.
 
I'm neutral on em. My RC4 and RC5 have em but I don't really use em ofr anything.

I used the pommell end on the pilots survival knife as a striking area when using the knife as a wood chisel and that cameout well. But that isn't really an extended tang.

The RC4's extended tang does make a good striking area as does the tang on the RC6 without allowing harm to the handle material. That glass breaker tang on the RC5 eats batons but still works ok. I just don't find much application for this feature.
 
Depends on the knife. I like them on bigger knives, but smaller ones I don't really care if they are or aren't there. It is one of those personal preference things on a blade.
 
Assuming the extended tang isn't monstrous, I like them. They can serve a multitude of purposes if they're not obtrusive.
 
I like them, but have never really needed to use one for anything -yet!
 
It also depends on the knife and use for me to. I've used the exposed tang of a knife to pry, light tapping/hammering, as a screwdriver, etc. The RAT HEST knife is a good example...it does get in the way a little for me, but I would surmise they are better suited for more urban-related tasks vice a woods knife.

ROCK6
 
I love the extended tang and I like the lanyard hole located in the extended tang. I like the ability to pound with it.
 
Never found much use for them. I prefer the scales all the way back.
Scott
 
Gossman Knives said:
Never found much use for them. I prefer the scales all the way back.
Scott
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I'm kinda with ya Scott, I do strike the handle of my SWKW Chopweiler with a batton but that's always on the top or bottom of the handle when I'm battoning through wood and it get's stuck. Man I treat that knife badly but it always comes through for me !!!!:D
 
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