The tang of a knife is the shank extending from the blade, to which the handle is attached in fixed blade knives.
According to the shape of the stem and the method of fixing the handle, we distinguish between these basic types
(1) The handle is formed by two grips fixed to the shank with rivets or screws. This type of shank is referred to as a full tang—the tang reaches all the way to the end of the handle. The full tang construction is considered the most reliable, strongest and most durable. It is recommended especially for demanding jobs. In addition, it contributes to a better distribution of weight and therefore to a better balance of the knife—it moves the center of gravity back towards the handle, which tends to be lighter than the blade. In most cases, such a tang exactly copies the shape of the grips and thus the resulting handle. The full tang knife can also be used as the head of an improvised spear after removing the grips. The full tang can sometimes be extended beyond the handle itself—then we are talking about the so-called extended tang, and the overhanging end is used for a hole for attaching a safety / fastening cord or as a hammer for breaking glass or delivering a blow to the enemy (glass breaking point / skull crusher).
(2) The handle is also formed by two grips fixed to the stem with rivets or screws. However, the tang only reaches a certain part of the total length of the handle. This type of shank is referred to as partial tang or half tang. This tang also contributes to a better balance of the knife. However, it is no longer considered as durable as a full tang. It can reach up to half the length of the handle (half), as well as three-quarters or only one-third or less (stub). Such a tang does not allow the user to exert as much force as a knife with a full tang design, and the knife cannot be safely used to cut or penetrate hard materials. This partial tang is a part of many cheaper knives (and swords) designed for decorative purposes—these knives are not designed for cutting or any other work. The designation tang can also be found on folding knives, this is the part of the blade that extends into the handle as far as the pivot and is therefore a kind of partial tang.
(3) Relatively large holes are formed in the handle and the shank copies this shape, we are talking about a skeletonized tang (skeleton = structure, frame). Large parts of the base material are therefore selected and it is therefore primarily a matter of weight reduction while maintaining the structural support and without losing the strength of the knife. This kind of shank is also commonly used to create storage space in the handle.
(4) The handle is complete and the tang is inserted inside the handle. This type of shank is referred to as a push tang. It may reach almost the end of the handle or it may be only partial. The shank is fixed in the handle, usually glued—in the case of high-quality knives with high-quality and reliable epoxy glue. Sometimes the shank, to increase the reliability and durability of the connection, is equipped with a safety pin - a protrusion that is constructed in one piece with the shank or is welded to it and which fits into a notch prepared in the handle.
(5) The handle is complete, the tang runs through it and gradually tapers towards the end. This type of shank is referred to as a rat tail tang (labeled according to the shape, which may resemble a rat's tail) or a tapered tang (narrowing pointed shank) or a narrowing tang (narrowing shank).
(6) The handle is in one piece and the tang passes through it in the form of a bar. This type of shank is referred to as a stick tang.
Types (5) and (6) and sometimes type (4) tend to be threaded (or the tang may be welded to a threaded rod). The tang is then fixed in the handle by screwing the nut onto the pommel. An indisputable advantage is the possibility of strengthening the connection by tightening it even in field conditions—if the entire pommel serves as a nut, however, one must be careful about the possible misalignment of the head, which would worsen the grip.
(7) The handle is in one piece, molded into a tang that is slightly narrower than the handle itself. This type of tang is called an encapsulated tang. The advantages of this design are almost identical to type (1).
For most of these 7 basic shank styles, the use of one does not preclude the use of another. For example—a sword can have a combination of encapsulated tang and rat tail tang.