A sword is a long-bladed weapon intended for slashing or stabbing and should not be confused with knives. The term comes from the Old English word sword which primarily meant "dirk," but came to mean "sword" towards the end of the middle ages. 

Full tang swords are swords that have blades with no guard, pommel, or crosspiece housing (no crossguard). In most cases, a sword is forged with only a single blade, but there are some exceptions where two blades are forged side-by-side. These types of swords do not have a back because their handles make up the entirety of the sword's length from point to pommel. 

In the Western world, these real swords have been in use since the late Middle Ages (approximately 1200 AD). The earliest surviving examples are from around 1400. The modern Renaissance period saw the use of these swords become much more widespread; from their rise until the 16th century, they saw use throughout Europe and many other parts of the world. Even though they were not used by everybody, they were still very common and widely available on trade routes.

Types of Full Tang Swords

Different swords have different levels of tangs. A full tang sword is a blade that extends the entire length of the handle, providing a sturdy grip and feel. However, the term "full tang" doesn't necessarily mean that the handle and blade are one piece. There are a few variations:

  • If the metal from which it is made goes all around in a circle at either end to form two pieces riveted together or screwed together — this is called a rat tail tang. This type provides excellent grip as it has no place for splinters to form like in some other types of full-handle swords.
  • If the metal is attached to a piece of wood that is then attached to the handle, this design is called a full tang, although it doesn't go down the entire length. It does provide great grip because it has no place for splinters to form like in other types of swords.
  • If the metal extends only part way into the handle, these are also called "full tang" weapons, although they're not as sturdy as other types of swords and they don't offer as much grip.
  • The "rat tail" claw is a type of half-tang sword. The blade extends through the handle but not the entire length of the handle.
  • In a spear, the blade and handle are joined in such a way that if you were to remove the blade, there would be no place for splinters to form.

Most swords have full tang handles but the ones with rat tail tangs have a great grip because they have no place for splinters to form. Now take a look at  a few best full-tang swords:

1. Full Tang Fantasy Medieval Battle Sword

This detailed battle fantasy sword has a blade that is made of 420J2 stainless steel. The long, curved blade has high carbon content for superior durability. The blade is 24 inches long and the handle measures 20 inches. When the medieval sword is in full swing, the tip of the blade can reach up to 35 inches, making it a great weapon for anyone who's into battles both real and imaginary. It has two sharp edges for dealing greater damage to enemies or foes. 


It also comes with a rather fancy-looking leather-wrapped handle that measures 5 ½ inches from pommel to end. The blade has an unusual design that has a design from which the weapon gets its name, the fantasy dragon. The sword looks like a combat weapon used by knights and other warriors of medieval times. It's made of 420J2 stainless steel that has been heat-treated to increase its toughness and durability. The handle is wrapped in white leather that comes with elegant engravings.

2. Darksword Viking Sword

This Viking sword is a two-handed sword made of 1060 carbon steel. It measures 28 inches long with a 4 ½ inch width at the hilt while the blade measures 27 ½ inches in length and 5 ½ inches in width at the tip. The pommel is 1½ inches in diameter at the end, while the guard measures 3 ½ inches. The hilt is made out of molded resin and protected by a handguard. 

The pommel has an ornamental shape that resembles that of a dragon's head and neck; it measures just under ¾ inch in diameter. The guard also has decoration, while the crossguard has a shape that looks like a dragon's tail. The blade has an uneven edge pattern with a full cross-section made from 1060 carbon steel that is high-carbon and low-alloyed, giving it exceptional toughness and resistance to wear. This is a highly-stylized Viking sword that looks like it's from the Viking era.

3. The Gladius Sword

This short sword is a replica of the Spanish sword that was used by the Roman legions in the first century A.D. It's made of spring-tempered 1050 carbon steel and measures 27 ½ inches long. The blade is 23 inches long with a 4 ½ inch width at its widest point. The hilt is made out of wood and wrapped in leather that has been treated with linseed oil, giving it an antique silver look. 

The pommel has been given an ornamental shape and even has a gemstone embedded in it for added appeal. The leather was made in Italy, while the hilt is made from steel that has been forged in England. This is a short sword with an ornamental shape that looks like a Roman gladius.

4. Samurai Katana Sword

The Samurai Katana Sword features an 8 ½ inch curved blade that also works as an excellent display piece because of its exquisite features like wide, flowing lines, elegant curves, eye-catching surface treatment, and bright finish. These full-tang swords come in two grades: blackened steel and stainless steel. 


The blackened steel has been treated with a high-carbon content to give it an antique look. It's strong enough for heavy-duty use, while the stainless steel is a decorative piece that's been made of high-quality Damascus steel. The blade is double-edged and may be sharpened on both sides. The edges are flat ground and are full in width for cutting power and handling convenience.

The handle is the traditional wood covered in brass inlay at the pommel end of the handle. It also has a hand guard that wraps around the two sides of the blade just above the grip portion that features an intricate decorative design with gold brass inlay giving it elegance but at the same time certain strength and balance of form.

Advantages of Full Tang Swords

If you have ever been wondering about the difference and strength between a sword with a full tang and one without, this blog post is for you! While both types of swords are made of steel, there are advantages to owning a sword with a full tang. The blade has more rigidity which lends strength when compared to its counterpart. Furthermore, since the metal is continuous from tip to pommel; it has increased durability and does not wear as quickly as other swords. 

For these reasons alone, investing in a sword with an uninterrupted blade will save you money in the long run. One of the advantages of a partial tang blade is that it allows the sword to be flimsy to meet regulation standards. Full tang swords are more challenging to sell in most locations because they do not adhere to local laws. Luckily, online retailers have made it possible for sword collectors around the world to purchase high-end swords with a Tang!

Another advantage of this sword is that it tends to be more durable than its counterpart with a partial tang. This is because partially drilled blades tend to wear on the hilt over time. A sword with a full tang will tend to hold its edge better and be more durable overall. One of the most important parts of owning any weapon or tool is having proper maintenance; this includes your sword! 

When you purchase Samurai swords, Katanas, Ninja swords, or other traditional oriental swords, you must give them regular maintenance. Opting for a sword with a partial tang will likely mean that you're not going to be able to have your blade sharpened as often as necessary. This could potentially lead to the blade becoming dull over time and being rendered useless.