Proud tang. Why or why not?

Do you like proud tangs?

  • Yes

    Votes: 3 5.0%

  • No

    Votes: 42 70.0%

  • Depends (please explain)

    Votes: 15 25.0%
  • Total voters
    60
I have a couple with proud tangs and I dont hate them, but I definitely prefer flush.
 
I voted ‘it depends. I would think if you soften the edges of the tang enough, and it doesn’t extend too far beyond the handles, it could be made to be comfortable enough that it’s not much different from other textured handles. I have a couple of flippers with CF or G10 on-sets over the steel or titanium frame that I think would be similar in feel to a proud tang if the edges are rounded out enough.
 
I voted no, basically for the same reasons as Killgar:

killgar said:
I HATE them. More specifically, my fingers HATE them.

I've owned two knives where the full-tang extended beyond the handle scales, and with both knives the meat of my fingers got uncomfortably pinched between the tang and handles when gripping the knives. So I ground the tangs flush with the handles on the finger side on both knives.

Without such modifications the knives would have been worthless to me. After modification, they felt great.
Click to expand...

I am very fond of one knife with a proud tang: a Dawson Pocketknife (i think they call it something else now). I give it a pass since all the edges have been smoothed and it doesn't irritate my pinky finger. Plus it's beveled and serves as a pry bar and screw driver on occasion.

20230309_140945.jpg

Otherwise I actively avoid knives with this feature, especially on choppers.
 
I agree with Killgar. I don't find a proud tang comfortable with bare hands. Probably with gloves I wouldn't mind. But I'm not wearing gloves all the time. I really don't see the benefit to the user.But I guess there must be a following or market because Fallkniven chose to do this to their tried and proven survival knives.
QteCKP.jpg
 
A proud tang on the butt end can work, something along the lines of an exposed lanyard hole. When the handle material simply doesn't cover the whole width of the tang? Not for me. Defeats the purpose of having a comfortable handle, gets cold in winter, gets slippery, just looks bad. Ergos are the single biggest factor in knives that stick around, in my world.
 
This is among my most comfortable knives. The jimping is rounded and soft to the touch. The angle between the pearwood scales and the tang is just right, no pinching or discomfort. This is a 1980s version of the Gerber Freeman Guide. Love this knife. My turkey hunting knife throughout the 80s. I re-finished the scales two years ago. I suppose the comfort of proud scales depends. This one is just right for my hands. Excuse the scratches. but this knife has been a user over the course of its life to date. I should probably polish out the scratches.

53nmbmF.jpg
 
I only want it proud out the back, so I can hammer with it without messing up the scales.

Matter of fact, I would like the proud part of the back to be hammer-shaped, covering the scales.
 
Depends. I like them on my Meaner Street. Nice for crushing or pounding stuff or popping can lids/prying. They would seem odd to me on a smaller “thin” knife like a Perrin Street Beat. Some designs just aren’t suited to them, IMHO.
 
In general, no. There have been a few exceptions where the tang was rounded and did not create a hot spot versus the scales. I'm not sure if that counts.
 
oldmanwilly said:
I voted no, basically for the same reasons as Killgar:



I am very fond of one knife with a proud tang: a Dawson Pocketknife (i think they call it something else now). I give it a pass since all the edges have been smoothed and it doesn't irritate my pinky finger. Plus it's beveled and serves as a pry bar and screw driver on occasion.

View attachment 2327613

Otherwise I actively avoid knives with this feature, especially on choppers.
Click to expand...

Thats more an extended pomel than a proud tang. I believe the OP was talking about the outline of the whole tang protruding from the scales.

I preffer flush all arround, but could tolerate some extended pomels. Although I must admite some of my favourite knives don't have any metal showing in the handle area (overmolded handles) such as the F1 and S1. They are very comfortable to use and even in cold weather you can skip the gloves.

Mikel
 
Yes, I like the feel of my Lionsteel M4. It is rather minor in the world of proud tangs though...
 
I generally Hate exposed tangs/butts/pommels.

However, like this I find them acceptable.
It's ground down on the handle scales to soften that edge in your palm, making it more comfortable. A nice way for it to be Barely exposed, and still offering your scales some protection...






Joseph Bandeko Joseph Bandeko
Did you come up with this, I don't think I've seen this before....?
 
Crag the Brewer said:
I generally Hate exposed tangs/butts/pommels.

However, like this I find them acceptable.
It's ground down on the handle scales to soften that edge in your palm, making it more comfortable. A nice way for it to be Barely exposed, and still offering your scales some protection...






Joseph Bandeko Joseph Bandeko
Did you come up with this, I don't think I've seen this before....?
Click to expand...
One of the most comfortable handles I have held.
 
IMNSHO, this proud tang look came along with CNC tech.
Tight tolerances or not, there’s always going to be some variance in mass production.
A mismatch of scales and tang that can be felt comes off as a mistake.
More so one you can see.
The answer is to make that mismatch so large, so deliberate that the tiny variations disappear.
 
Ebbtide said:
... Tight tolerances or not, there’s always going to be some variance in mass production.
A mismatch of scales and tang that can be felt comes off as a mistake.
More so one you can see.
The answer is to make that mismatch so large, so deliberate that the tiny variations disappear.
Click to expand...

This is a good general point on manufacturing. While careful fitting can generally avoid mismatch, even a small mismatch can look or feel bad. I don't make things but I do modify them and I can tell you, proud tangs make for much quicker and easier scale-rounding.

Another thing that comes to mind is the transition to a crowned spine. While it can be done well, it can also be a spot for potential issues. A slightly proud tang can help guarantee a flat interface for scales and I already mentioned that the rounding of that proud tang can make it comfortable.
 
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