what does the tang mean when refering to sword making?

Answer 1

it's the bit inside the handle (hilt?)

Answer 2

Hi there

In a nut shell it means that the metal blade runs all the way down through the sword handle so that when you grip the handle you are actually holding onto the metal as well. This is an important factor and you should never ever swing a sword or use a sword for cutting that isn't full tang. Cheap swords are made for gathering dust on the mantle. Nothing more.

If you swing a cheap sword around what will happen is the blade will snap where the blade meets the handle because there isn't enough strength in the blade to take the force of the swing or impact. I nearly lost a nice set of patio doors due to a cheap sword! lol.

One way of telling if a sword is full tang or not is to feel and check the balance of the sword when you hold it. If it feels cheap then it probably is.

Best wishes

idai

Answer 3

Tang - The un-edged hidden portion or ("tongue") of a blade running through the handle and to which the pommel is attached. The place where the tang connects to the blade is called the "shoulder". A sword's tang is sometimes of a different temper than the blade itself. A full tang is preferred in European swords, while a partial tang is best for Japanese swords.

Check out the link below....

Answer 4

It's the secret juice refreshment that great swordsmiths drink while they're making a good sword : P Just kidding! It's the part of the sword that's sandwiched by the handles. The part where a hole usually is so you can screw the two separate sides of a handle together. In Japanese Katanas, the tang is also usually where the swordsmith engraves his signature.

Answer 5

its the part of the sword's metal embedded in the hilt. it keeps the sword from snapping at the hilt and makes it more balanced. what you want in a sword is full tang, which means the metal goes all the way through the hilt.

Answer 6

here you go
http://people.howstuffworks.com/sword-making1.htm