Best way to reduce weight in the tang?

Daniel L

Daniel L

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 2, 1998
Messages
1,981
I got myself a TOPS Prather War Bowie for Xmas... really love the lines. It's a 1/4" 1095 stock and it handles like a boat anchor compared to other knives in my collection.

prather-war-bowie-0m.jpg


The handle shape is great but all the mass acts like a counter balance and I'd really like it to be more weight forward.

What's the best way to reduce the weight? Drill it out? Find someone with a mill?
Ideally I'd like to get it like a Becker skeletonized tang but that could be complex.

I've asked TOPS how hard the tang is... they're meant to be differentially HT so I'm expecting the tang to be <50 RC. Is this a problem?

My biggest issue is that I live in Singapore so finding someone locally is challenging (and I don't have a drill press) ... so any advice / tips / watch outs will be appreciated.
 
This is one of those ideas that might get you in trouble with the knife. I fear reducing the strength of the tang and creating problems with the fit of the handle slabs. As I also don't own a grinder, belt sander, or drill press, the only tools I could take to it would be a Dremel and an angle grinder. With an angle grinder you could begin to plane off each side of the tang so as to thin it and reduce weight, but again, my fear would be the unevenness of the work making the slabs fit badly.

What tools do you have?

Zieg
 
I think your best bet self mod would be to use a dremel with a cut off wheel and cut out the section between the two large holes. This should not comprimise the strength too much because those micarta slabs will reinforce the tang once its all back together.

If you could you should find a machine shop and have them taper the tang. That is probably the best way to remove weight without comprimising the structural integrity of the tang
 
what is your reason for wanting it more weight forward? Im just curious? Better chopping? 7 inch blades dont make the best choppers.
 
Unfortunately I don't have ANY power tools, except for a heat gun...

I did think finding a knifemaker who can taper the tang would also work.

The ultimate goal is to get weight out of the habdle, which will move the point of balance a little more forward as a result. It's not really a chopper but I want it to feel more lively and the weight in the handle is more than my personal preference currently.

In an ideal world, I'd find a custom maker who can make one in 3/16" stock and tapered tang. That's the expensive answer but I might seriously consider it.
 
Ironically... i have asked multiple makers to make me an exact copy in 3/16 3V steel. Nobody will do it, because its someone elses design.

Now if you drew your own design, which was inspired by the Tops knife, but different, I am sure you could find someone to make it
 
Ha we think alike - a thinner one in 3V would be a great fighter, and imagine it with a tapered tang :)

I'm still thinking of the Winkler Belt Knife too...
 
If you taper the tang the handles will not fit back on. The barrels will not sit properly in the holes because they will be at an angle relative to the surface of the tang. Taking a dremel to this will reduce all resale value. If you ever want to sell this i recommend against any modification. If you must reduce weight i would get a small carbide drill and add extra holes. If you want it more blade heavy you could always do a paracord wrap handle. Best of luck.
 
not2sharp said:
Why remanufacture a knife? Sell it and find something that better fits your needs.

n2s
Click to expand...

Yeah I know... I bought it online and had it shipped to me... if I had known the feel I wouldn't have bought it. But it's not that far off and this is the Modification forum after all :)

I may have found someone local (Singapore) who can do the drilling so it sounds like my problem will be solved.

Stang Bladeworks said:
If you taper the tang the handles will not fit back on. The barrels will not sit properly in the holes because they will be at an angle relative to the surface of the tang. Taking a dremel to this will reduce all resale value. If you ever want to sell this i recommend against any modification. If you must reduce weight i would get a small carbide drill and add extra holes. If you want it more blade heavy you could always do a paracord wrap handle. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yes I just realised that when I was thinking that the scales/barrels won't fit.
In the worst case, I'll keep the knife as a template for a custom maker.
With the scales removed (2.5oz) it actually handles close to what I want, so I think if I can find close that amount in the tang I will be happy.
 
If you did the tapered tang you would have to counter taper the handles to realign the holes
 
I found a local guy in Singapore (not a knifemaker) and asked him to have a go:
rYGOEdT.jpg


The end result was good... except for a major boo boo near the lanyard hole.
Mwrqo6K.jpg


Which I did a quick hack job with some epoxy putty and spray painted:
AJrS920.jpg
 
End result - looks not too bad for a user

Weight before was 15oz.
After the tang lightening it lost 1.7oz = 13.3 oz

Doesn't sound like much but it's night and day difference for me.
ZFX9AIU.jpg


Balance where I like it!
pgVzqnE.jpg
 
Glad you got it figured out! I concur with that balance point, much better!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top