A bladed tool includes a handle and a blade with a surface-engaging edge and a blade-retaining shank. The handle includes an elongated handle body having longitudinally opposed body front and rear ends, and at least one side wall extending between the body front and rear ends. The side wall defines an outer surface configured for gripping by a user and an inner surface that defines an interior access channel extending from an access opening in the body rear end toward a forward channel wall located to the rear of the body front end. Situated between the body front end and the forward channel wall is a handle core that defines a shank-retaining slot extending between a forward slot-opening in the body front end and a rearward slot-opening in the forward channel wall. The shank extends rearwardly through the shank-retaining slot such that a protruding shank portion extends to the rear of the forward channel wall. Forward movement of the shank relative to the handle body is prevented by bending the shank rearward of the forward channel wall.