Attaching a stick tang!

[Terry McMaster]

Hand forged a ball bearing courtesy of Mr. Bump and ended up with a blank 1"X5". Decided to attach a stick tang to take advantage of the good steel and provide a longer blade. I notched the stick (3/8 mild) and over,lapped it about 1/4" over the blade and welded it. Thinking that would provide the most strength. The problem now is how to cover up the weld area which runs 3/4" onto the blade area or ricasso. Thought about a fairly elaborate finger guard. Just wondered if you fellows have fingured some miraculous way of dealing with the stick tang scenario. Thanks in advance for any answers. T

 

[Crayola]

I think a lot of folks forge a "stub tang" or "Snub tang", whatever it is called! Just a little stubby tang to which you affix the rod.

 

[L6steel]

Exactamundo Karl!
Terry, you might try adding some furniture in front of the guard to cover the spot. I don't know what it's called but it's similar to a bolster. It can be as simple as a flat section of material, this brass or nickel silver, or as elegant as a fully carved piece such as eagle's wings. Might even consider adding some pins in the area in some pattern as a decoration that would cover the weld or at least make it not be so obvious.

 

[jhiggins]

Yeah the stub is the way to go imo. it gets hidden bby the handle material that way. I did do one the way you did, Terry. I engine-turned the whole ricasso to cover it up. It worked fairly well, but I wasn't really happy with it. I think that knife is stuck in a tree out in the back woods right now... another one that never passed muster to be sold.

 

[Daniel Koster]

Originally posted by Michael A. Cooper
you might try adding some furniture in front of the guard to cover the spot. I don't know what it's called but it's similar to a bolster.

habaki bolster?

That would do it.

 

[Terry McMaster]

Thanks guys. You know, you do a hundred of these, then all at once one day, it's like you never touched the problem before. I guess this is what alzhiemers is like. A new world every day. I think there will be a new fancy bolster in my future. I pounded too long and hard to just let the too short thing stop me now. I guess I just have to get bigger bearings from Mr. Bump. Thanks again guys. T