Full Tang Katana: Everything you need to know

Table of Content

• What is a full tang Katana
  
• The Dangerous Rat Tail Tang
  
• Should Katana be full tang?
  
• How to tell if a katana is full tang

You’ve probably heard the term "full tang katana" before, but what exactly does it mean? What are benefits of a full tang katana blade, and how can you tell the difference? This article will give you an in-depth look into the topic.

What is a full tang Katana

Full tang katana means that the tang (nakago) of the sword extends all the way through the handle (tsuka). To be more precise, the nakago should be about the same width as the blade itself. A narrow tang is not considered a true full tang, as it does not follow the traditional method of katana making and is significantly weaker in terms of functionality.

Those very narrow tangs are usually referred to as "rat tails" because their shape resembles a rat’s tail. A rat tail tang, in basically any sword, means it’s not designed for real cutting — it’s intended for decoration only. Here’s a photo we made, with just a quick glance, you’ll be able to tell what a proper full tang should look like.

The Dangerous Rat Tail Tang

You might wonder, why do they even make rat tail tangs? Is steel really that expensive that makers need to save even that tiny bit? Well, the answer is yes — every rat tail sword exists purely to cut costs. But it’s not just about saving a bit of steel from the tang. When a sword is built with a rat tail tang, almost every other part of the sword is compromised too.

By using a rat tail, makers can also cut costs on the tsuka (handle). They don't have to follow traditional methods like properly drilling a hole for the mekugi (peg); instead, they just glue the handle in place. And once you're gluing the handle, you don't care about the quality of the ito (handle wrapping) either. You’ll usually see cheap, loosely wrapped ito, often paired with fake samegawa (ray skin), which can fall apart after just a few swings.

Since they've already cut corners on the tsuka, they’ll also use low-quality fittings (koshirae) and slap them together carelessly to save on labor costs. And to top it all off — most of the time, the blade itself isn’t even properly heat-treated.

So, a rat tail tang isn’t just one part being compromised to save money — it’s a sign that the entire sword is low-quality.

To be fair, most swords from reputable sellers nowadays (as of 2025) are full tang and decent in quality. However, if you think you can buy a "real hamon, traditionally made, battle-ready katana" for $50, you're far more likely to end up with a rat tail katana. We strongly suggest you don't use swords like that at all.

There are another type of compromised full tang, that although the tang is wide, but at the end they use a screw, that's because the traditional way wrapping and tie the end cap (kashira) is labour intense and naturally cost more, they use a screw to attached the kashira, not only this is not traditional, this method is actually not as secure as the knot. 

The worst case is when you spend over $200 and still receive a rat tail katana — in that situation, you should absolutely expose the seller and demand a refund. That’s not just bad practice; it’s straight-up false advertising.

Should Katana be full tang?

Yes, whether it’s traditionally made or not, a real katana should always be full tang. Full tang construction is essential for true functionality — it gives the sword the strength to withstand the impact of cutting and striking, helps balance the sword, and absorbs vibration during use.

The problem with rat tail tangs is that they are often welded onto the blade. The connection point between the tang and the blade is usually welded, and this welded joint is sensitive to stress, making it very likely to break under heavy use. Some extremely poor-quality rat tail tangs are even as thin as a chopstick — you can imagine how little strength that offers. If you're lucky, it might just bend, but if it suddenly snaps while you're cutting, the blade could fly off and seriously injure someone. That’s extremely dangerous.

* All romanceofmen katana are full tang and battle ready. No such thing as rat tail tang here. In our custom katana section you can see our full blade photos showing the tang as well.

How to tell if a katana is full tang

The easiest way to check is by looking for the menuki (the decorative ornaments under the wrapping). On a rat tail sword, there’s usually no need for real mekugi — if anything, it might have cheap, fake ones purely for decoration.

A full tang katana, made in the traditional way, can be disassembled. However, a rat tail katana usually has its handle glued in place, and the kashira (pommel) is often screwed on, making it very difficult — if not impossible — to take apart properly.

Because the rat tail tang is much lighter than a true full tang, you'll also notice that the sword feels a bit tip-heavy. Plus, due to the loose fit inside the handle, rat tail swords are more likely to develop a rattling noise from inside the tsuka over time.