stick tang durability?

crossada

crossada

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May 16, 2004
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i've been looking at a couple of knives recently that have stick tangs. it seems there is some very high quality knives made like this but how will they hold up to a baton?

it seems to me in ages past all knives and swords were of the stick tang type which imo makes for a better overall feel and balance. i have a randall 23 gamemaster but i have never subjected it to anything some might consider abuse out of fear of breakage. i have been looking at some hidden tang bark rivers and a kellam tommi which have this kind of tang so how will they hold up to rough work like batoning?
 
ok, 2dogs, I dont know if you're ready for this one, I dont think I am, but here comes my $.02

I've batoned my buck 192, and its fine. :D
 
I have a Karesuando Rävan Special and a #2 Mora (both in carbon steel) that have split CORDS of kindling. Both these are stick tangs that I would, and have, staked my life on.

todd
 
From what I've read of Wayne Goddard's book, The $50 Knife Shop, he swears by them.

Wayne Goddard said:
"Over the years I've had less trouble with narrow-tang handles than with full-tang versions. That's why it's my opinion, when properly constructed, the narrow tang is the strongest and most fool-proof handle. It must be done right or it might not be any better than a full-tang model. My opinion is also based on the most severe test of tang strength that I have been able to devise. I drove the point of a knife through a 2 X 4 by pounding on the pommel cap with a 4-pound hammer. the knife had a wire-damascus blade, Micarta handle, and a steel guard and pommel cap. The properly constructed narrow tang will withstand this kind of abuse. I'd never try it with a slab-handled full tang knife."
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Mors Kochanski uses and swears by a puukko style Mora that has a full length, stick tang. He does all sorts of wild stuff with it. He's even tested it by driving it into a tree and standing on it.
 
If your batoning technique is correct, it shouldn't really matter what kind of tang the knife has. You hold the blade steady against the wood and thump on the spine, not near the guard. So you're not putting a lot of pressure on the tang. That's why guys can split cords of kindling with small knives and not break them.
 
I've beaten the hell out of a damascus sgian dubh that I put a handle on. It's really taken a beating and it has a stick tang. So does my KA-BAR and I've done things with it that would make Cliff cry! :D
 
Stick tangs can take battoning fine if you do it correctly.

Moot point though. Not like battoning is ever actualy needed.
 
If the knife is properly made, with a soft tang, and if you use good batoning technique, it should be fine.

I've done this and more with Bark River stick tang knives without any problems.

Most knives and swords throughout history have been stick tang knives.

You can break anything if you try hard enough, and you can work hard with "cheap" tools if you use them wisely.
 
Let me ask you guys a question, just to keep things in perspective...If you guys knew you were going to be "in the sh*t" (a survival situation), which sort of tang would you prefer that your knife had?
You don't need to answer anyone but yourself, but, you know as well as I do,
that you'd want the "full" tang. You just might have to really pound on that knife, handle and all. I wouldn't take a chance on a stick tang in that type of situation...would you?
 
I trust my knives and don't feel a full tang is a necessity for me. I have nothing against it and even own some. I don't ever expect "to really pound on" a knife.
 
Troop, that's a fair question/point. However the op's question was specifically about batoning, and I don't think it makes much difference there.

Not to blaspheme, but I question Mr. Goddard's comment that he would trust a hidden tang more than a full tang for pounding on. I guess he means the slabs would be likely to pop off or split. But wouldn't the exposed steel act like a buttcap and take most of the stress? Have any of you guys ever had the scales come loose/off your knife?
 
GibsonFan said:
Have any of you guys ever had the scales come loose/off your knife?
Click to expand...

I know I haven't, I also know it would take quite a bit for the scales to come off my #4, heck even my BK7.

I mean, ugh, I dont want this whole thing to start up again, I think if you are comfy with a stick tang fine, if you like a full tang, then thats fine too, use what works for ya.

I like a mix of both, my master hunter has a middle of the road tang, which I like, I can baton with it, but I wouldn't feel any less prepared with a buck 192, You just need to know the limits of your knife, and know when to push those limits.
 
Well the Gurkhas have being using stick tang handles on their kukri for at least 100yrs, without any problems, infact in Nepal along with the hidden tang its the preferred mothod;)

bushyday009.jpg
 
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