The Tungsten Carbide that makes up the core of a dull knife is what gives the knife a sharp, beautiful edge. It also allows the knife maker to produce a much more durable and resilient knife than he could with regular steel. The more aggressive the edge on a Tungsten Carbide knife, the less it will corrode after being used repeatedly in wet environments. This means that the more aggressive the edge, the more abuse a Tungsten Carbide knife can take before becoming blunt.
On a Tungsten Carbide knife the tang (or groove) is the portion of the blade that is located near the tip of the blade. On Makers of Carbide Knives these tangs are often created by drilling a small hole through the carbon layer and then tapping it out with an hammer. When this is done it creates a void in the carbon which the Tungsten Carbide must fill before its useful life is restored. The more void there is, the longer the Tungsten Carbide can be used before the knife begins to break down. Since Tungsten Carbide is very wear resistant and because it doesn’t form cracks as easily as other metals the Tungsten Carbide tang can last a lifetime.
Since the Tungsten Carbide is so difficult to obtain and make into knives, you don’t find many people advertising what is a tang on a knife. This is unfortunate because making Tungsten Carbide is hard work and its durability is unmatched. The beauty of a Tungsten knife is the fact that no matter what the configuration or use for the knife, its strength and durability make it an ideal material for a great knife. It’s the perfect addition to any kitchen cutlery.