FullTang Tactical: American-Made Gear with Backbone

August 7, 2025

Founding and Inspiration

FullTang Tactical (FTT) is a small, family-owned outdoor gear company rooted in the backwoods of Tennessee. The brand’s name reflects its origin: born from the founder’s boyhood obsession with “full-tang” knives and hatchets, where the steel runs through the handle for unmatched strength. Growing up traversing the mountains of North Carolina, the pine forests of Maine, and the backwoods of Tennessee, the founder, known simply as “JT”, developed a deep respect for rugged tools and self-reliance. That mindset became the foundation of the company: build gear where quality runs to the core.

After a successful career as a business executive, JT launched FullTang Tactical to fill a void he’d personally experienced...he couldn’t find gear tough enough to meet his expectations. His mission was simple: create hybrid equipment that blurs the lines between bushcraft and tactical, capable of performing in both rugged wilderness and operational environments. His business experience gave him the tools; his backcountry roots gave him the vision.

JT and His Mission

JT is more than a brand owner: he’s the designer, the builder, the customer service rep, and often the one stitching gear late into the night. He doesn’t market himself as a personality, but he’s undeniably the driving force behind FTT’s culture. His passion for gear shows through in every email he answers personally, every prototype he tests in the field, and every product made to order in his Tennessee shop.

He insists on using only top-tier, U.S.-sourced MIL-SPEC materials. That commitment goes beyond buzzwords: when two of the top domestic textile mills announced closures in 2025, JT was upfront with customers and immediately began sourcing replacements without compromising his American-made standard. His belief is simple: build it right, back it with a warranty, and stand behind every order.

American Craftsmanship and Quality

The gear itself reflects that ethos. Take the Modular Chest Rig–Kit Bag: a fully modular system crafted from 500D Cordura, Squadron™ laminate, and waterproof YKK AquaGuard® zippers. It works as a standalone pack, integrates with larger systems, or converts into a plate carrier placard. It includes a rear kangaroo pouch and triple-magazine insert that turns a hiking loadout into a combat rig in seconds. Everything is loop-lined and configurable with internal organizers, IFAKs, or holsters.

That kind of design isn’t made in a boardroom. JT field-tests everything by trekking the Tennessee hills, dragging rigs through thick brush, and tweaking strap angles until the load rides right. His Minuteman ruck has rigid frame support for heavy gear, but pairs it with padded hip belts to keep things comfortable over miles of travel. His harness systems are built with reinforced laminate and padded sleeves for cable routing and weight distribution.

The modularity is extreme, but never gimmicky. You can start with a basic chest rig and build it into a load-bearing system that replaces a backpack or serves as your primary loadout for a deployment. And it's not just theory: gear from FullTang Tactical has been used by servicemembers during Tactical Urban Sustainment Courses (TUSC) and tested under real-world conditions.

Reputation and Community Reception

Within the preparedness and bushcraft community, FTT’s gear has earned a reputation for exceeding expectations. Online reviews highlight both the build quality and customer experience. It’s not uncommon to hear buyers praise the personal service, fast response times, and lead times that are met despite heavy order volume.

Some assumed early on that FTT might be another white-labeled import. The opposite turned out to be true. Counterfeiters began imitating JT’s gear on Chinese marketplaces: an ironic testament to the originality and popularity of his designs. Those who buy the real thing know they’re getting gear handmade in Tennessee, not mass-produced in a factory overseas.

And it’s not just individual buyers taking note. Industry professionals - including tactical medics and defense contractors - have taken interest in the brand for its modular, field-adaptable design ethos.

Dealer Testimonial

From a dealer perspective, I have only just recently begun working with JT. During that short time, it became immediately apparent he is a man of integrity, honesty, and relentless work ethic. The man just doesn't stop.

Every time I’m on the phone with him discussing project ideas and kit development, I can tell he has a hundred irons in the fire...and he’s genuinely excited about all of them. His enthusiasm is real. His confidence in his gear isn’t showmanship, it comes from deep investment and firsthand knowledge.

After our first hour-long conversation, I left knowing with absolute certainty that I wanted to work with FullTang Tactical. Since then, we’ve been collaborating on new survival kit offerings that pair my system-based builds with his no-compromise designs. Expect to see some badass solutions in the field soon, built from the ground up with FullTang gear at the core.

Community Engagement and Growth

JT doesn’t just run a business; he lives in the world his gear is built for. He attends gatherings like the Georgia Bushcraft Fall Gathering, where he meets customers face-to-face, explains product features firsthand, and gathers field feedback. His social media accounts are raw, honest, and transparent: whether he's sharing the frustrations of textile shortages or unveiling new camouflage patterns.

Behind-the-scenes footage shows him running industrial machines, prototyping new rigs, and refining designs in real time. The FullTang YouTube channel provides deep dives into configurations, use cases, and development stories...not marketing fluff, but real shop-floor content. That authenticity is what customers connect with.

Word-of-mouth continues to grow, not because of influencer campaigns or paid placements, but because users trust the gear - and the man who makes it. In an industry filled with drop-shipped gear and flashy branding, FullTang Tactical remains exactly what it claims to be: hard-use American equipment, built to serve in the field.

Looking Ahead

FullTang Tactical has grown rapidly, but hasn’t lost its soul. Lead times may be a few weeks, but that’s because every piece is made with care, not pulled from a shelf. JT’s relentless focus on quality, customer service, and innovation is rare, and it’s what makes FTT gear stand out.

In a world of outsourced shortcuts, FullTang Tactical is a reminder that there are still people making things the right way: with hands, heart, and heritage. Every stitch is deliberate. Every order matters. And every customer becomes part of the growing tribe that stands behind the name.