tang consisting of a separate thin bolt welded to a stub tang on the blade, the bolt is then inserted through the handle and fastened in place by a pommel-nut. In a stick and rat-tail tang the transition from blade to tang involves an abrupt decrease in the amount of stock metal such that the tang is narrower than the rest of the tool, more so when the transition resembles that between a rat's thick body and its thin tail. This style of tang is often used in decorative swords and blades, which are never intended for actual use and therefore do not require a strong, functional tang. In a tapered tang the width of the tang gradually decreases in one or more dimensions along its length. Tapered tangs may feature thinning along the spine from blade to pommel, thinning from spine to belly, or even hollowing from the edges toward the midsection of the tang-stock. This is an uncommon but sophisticated design used to reduce the amount of material (and thereby the weight) in the handle of the tool without significant sacrifice of strength. In a skeletonized tang large sections along the tang are cut away, reducing the amount of stock material to a basic framework while still providing structural support. This is another sophisticated, modern method of reducing the material weight of the tang without sacrificing significant material strength or support. Skeletonized tangs are also commonly utilized to provide storage space in the handle of the tool. In an extended tang the tang extends beyond the grip of the handle. In knives, the extended tang may function as a hammer-pommel. With a through tang the tang extends the full length of the handle, but does not extend the width enough to be exposed on its back, front, nor either of its sides. In a slab tang the tang extends the full width and length of the handle so that it is exposed on its bottom, back, and front. The handle scales are fastened to either side of the tang. See also Hafting References Blade weapons