First time making a hidden tang Knife - How to install a pommel?

[lamontjb]

Hello,

I am working on a Knife for service member who is completing his command. I usually do full tang knives because I am still new and thats what I started with. However, the Knife I am working on resembles our Unit Patch and therefore it is making me steer away from what I am used to.

Here is the Unit Patch:

My current progress is attached.

My dilemma is the pommel. I bought a tap-and-die set and I am trying to figure out the best method for threading the knife end. One course of action is to grind a 1MM rod about 3/4" from the bottom of the knife. However, it would not be precise since the only tool I have to do this is a KMG grinder.

Are there any recommendations on how to do this part? I have looked for tutorials and I have gone through my books, but nothing I have found has gone into this type of issue.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

BTW, the block of wood next to the blade is an African Blackwood. I am really interested in seeing how this turns out.

-John

 

[RUJOCO]

I grind mine close on the grinder and finish with file. Just make a center line and measure each way off it. Or you could lay the tap on the blank and scribe each side. Leave enough on to run the dye down it. Depending on the stock thickness, use a thread pitch that is close to it. I use 10-24 very often but 1/4-20 works perfect for 1/4" stock.

 

[lamontjb]

Could WD-40 work as a cutting oil?

 

[RUJOCO]

Yeah, any oil will work. You're only threading about 3/4". I do it dry most times. It depends on how thick you left the tang. You want about 60%-70% thread. If it gets too hard to turn the dye, file a little more. You'll never get 100% thread in steel.

 

[lamontjb]

Thanks man... I just did it and it came out great. Only problem was that I had to use a .7 mm size which was smaller than I was expecting. In the pic, you can see that this is like 1/8" size. Thanks allot for your quick post, I really wanted this done tonight.

-John

 

[RUJOCO]

Nice job. I try to stick close to the blank size. Even if you don't get full thread on the flats it will work.