Half Tang Knives

Knives built with a partial tang, where the steel extends part way into the handle rather than the full length. This makes for a lighter knife and allows handle shapes that a full tang cannot, which is why the construction persists in traditional and decorative patterns. It is not as strong as full tang under prying loads, so these suit light cutting and display rather than heavy field work. If you need a hard-use blade, look at our full tang fixed blades instead.

Where the strength actually goes

In a full tang knife the steel runs the whole length of the handle and the scales are bolted to either side of it. In a half tang the steel stops part way in and the handle carries the rest. Under normal cutting neither one notices the difference, because cutting loads run along the edge. The difference shows up in prying and lateral force, where a full tang has steel to resist with and a half tang has a joint. That is the honest limit, and it is why we say these suit light cutting, kitchen work and display rather than batoning or survival use.

What you get in return

Weight, mostly. Taking steel out of the handle moves the balance forward into the blade, which is what people mean when they say a knife feels lively rather than dead in the hand. It also frees the handle shape. Tapered handles, horn that keeps its natural curve, pearl and bone fittings, all of these are possible because the maker is not working around a slab of steel. Traditional patterns kept this construction for exactly that reason.

Materials on these

Blades are Damascus forged from 1095 and 15N20, or stainless where a brighter finish suits the pattern. Handles run through rosewood, olive wood, walnut, buffalo horn and camel bone. Fittings are brass or steel. Each knife ships with a fitted leather sheath.

Questions people ask

Will the handle come loose? Not in normal use. The tang is set and pinned. What loosens a half tang is prying, so do not use one as a lever.

Is it good for hunting? For skinning and light field work, yes. For anything that involves joints and bone, take a full tang.

Can it be engraved? Yes, in house before it ships.

Related: all hand forged knives, knife anatomy explained.