Double bolsters and fitup

[Jason Fry]

I am fixing to build a couple of double bolstered hunters. Trying to decide whether to taper the tang or not, and to dovetail the bolsters or not. Un-tapered makes for the easiest fitup, whether dovetailed or not, but I'm having a hard time figuring out the compensations for the angles if I both dovetail and taper. Any suggestions? I'm on 3/16 stock, so I'd really rather taper if I can figure the dovetail thing out. Putting stag on one and mammoth on the other, so there's not much wiggle room for fitup mistakes.

 

[Hankins]

Think you could make it a bit more difficult for yourself
The tang should taper at the end of the bolster IMO but have only done it once for a reason!
Dovetail and tapered tang will be a definite challenge. I say do a practice piece before commiting to the expensive stuff. Should save a bit of grief...

 

[Jason Fry]

Lol, that's why I'm doing two. One for practice, the other for ivory. I hope to have at least one of these, maybe both, at the ICCE show in September when I'm up for voting membership. I do dovetailed bolsters and tapered tangs all the time, but have never tried the double bolstered dovetailed.

 

[LARRYZ10]

Jason, What is a "double bolster"? Do you have a photo of one? Thanks, Larry PS here is my dovetailed bolster on a tapered tang blade. I taper to the front of the bolsters, LL

 

[Jason Fry]

I mean both front and back bolsters like this one.

I realized after I asked the question that one of these will need to be square fit, not dovetailed. I want to get the ivory one scrimshawed, and would prefer the straight bolster joint vs. the curved one like you get with dovetails.

I went ahead and tapered both tangs, will be a while before I get to the bolsters.

 

[LARRYZ10]

Jason, Thanks for the photo and the explanation. When you have finished please share some photos. Thank you, Larry