Tang question

tidefan

tidefan

Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
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I've used the search feature but I can't find what I need. How many of you would trust a hidden tang knife such as a Randall, Blackjack, or Buck, as your only fixed blade on an extended outing. Thw question has always bugged me as to how strong a hidden tang knife would be under heavy use. Now I have never had a need to baton wood or pry anything in the field and a wetterlings wildlife hatchet, Randall 8-4, and a case xx stockman have always served me well, but the question was posed to me about the strength of the Randall. What are your thoughts and opinions...Jim
 
stick tang'll do ya.... they are plenty tough.
here's some pics of me batoning a stick tang mora
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I mostly use stick tang knives, alot of which arent even peened at the tang. The have held up fine for me. If you think about it in physics terms, A stick tange, peened or not, is protected in more dimensions if that makes any sense.
 
I wouldn't have any trouble heading out with just a good stick tang knife. I have done it many times with the Mora Knives. Given the choice and all else equal, I would opt for a full tang.
 
I have only recently gotten into full tangs...and I do like them a lot and I think I have come to prefer them. However I have done a lot of wilderness travels with stick tangs that held up just fine. I explored the wilds of the Tampa Bay and Hillsborough River area for three years with a Buck 119 some eons ago. I have explored the forests from S.E. Tennessee through Southern Georgia and Alabama carrying an Ontario issue pilots knife, and later a traditional Ka-Bar. I have, until just recently anyway (and still do at times), carried a SOG S1 Bowie for about the last decade and have never had one problem with the knife and I do baton when necessary, just pay attention to what you are batoning even a full tang has it's limitations. The only one of the above that ever broke was the Buck and it was my fault. It was winter here in Tennessee, I had been outside with it on my side all day, and I was throwing it at a tree. It didn't break at the guard but in the middle of the blade. Hope that helps some.
 
In fact, I'd go so far as to say in the winter, I'd prefer a stick tang, though I'd likely be wearing gloves for most work.

No issues - a good knife is a good knife.

If you're iffy, carve down some wedges and baton those.

That Randall looks nice. Whoever questioned you about it's strength needs to push away from the intraweb. :)
 
My only stick tang knife is a Helle, which I bent slightly during some rather light batonning. I don't know if this was due to the tang or to a flaw/weakness in that individual knife. I still use it but only for light duty cutting; I don't trust it for harder work.
 
I don't recommend using small stick-tang knives for more demanding tasks, such as batoning or prying, but a properly made medium to larger sized knife should easily handle heavier tasks. Pounding on the end of the handle isn't something I would recommend doing with any stick tang knife, however.

Andy
 
The tangs on the Bucks such as their Nighthawks are very strong, check out knifetests.com !
 
I would trust stick tangs anyday. I have a bunch of very heavy Khukuri's with them that have taken BEATINGS. If they werent't less fun for me to make, I'd do more.
 
For perspective the KaBar fighting knives that were issued to me when I was in the USMC were all stick tang knives.

Also (and for me this is the ultimate testament to durability) if you get a good look at old swords, that were actually used for fighting, 99% of them were stick tang.

I think both of those facts should serve to put your mind at ease about carrying a stick tang knife.

David
 
kgd said:
At least he stayed away from the using the word poon....
Click to expand...

You just used the word though, so did we really stay away from it?


As far as stick tang goes, just look at what Riley did with his Mora, and I am sure you will be all settled with if you trust one or not.:thumbup:
 
It's not difficult to make a very strong hidden-tang knife. I've come to the brilliant conclusion that, much like stainless vs. carbon, it's a matter of preference.
 
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