Frustration is...being almost done with a hidden tang knife, when... see pics...

scotchleaf

scotchleaf

Joined
Oct 23, 2006
Messages
2,232
I was really happy with this knife:

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dTIyTH2l.jpg

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UNTIL THIS HAPPENED...


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I sanded through the handle and into the epoxy holding the tang :(. My plan is just to fill the holes and live with it, since the knife is just for me anyway. Unless someone has a wonderful suggestion.
 
Ouch, that hurts. I would replace the handle, as the blade aka the hard part is done. Even if it's for you, you want it to look nice so you can show it off.
 
As JT said, replace the handle and do it now. Or throw it out! You will be forever sorry if you don't. It sure looks good otherwise.Don't you deserve the best that you can make and you will pick it up to show.
Frank.
 
I didn't make the blade...it's from Thompson knives, an Anssi blade. Böhler-Uddeholm carbon steel. The flaw doesn't really bother me, except I want to fill in the holes - I guess I'll just add more epoxy and sand.
 
Am I looking at it wrong, or is the entire tang exposed? If so, it's a structural issue and would not be safe to use. You should redo the handle. Take it as a learning experience.
 
I know the feeling. Done it about 4 times for sure, maybe more. Keep on keeping on friend.
 
It's a character building thing. I have messed up plenty of knives near finishing them :o .

Aside from that, I'm really curious as to how big of a hole did you drill in the wood for it to come that far out to the side?? I looks like the hole is three times wider than the tang/spine thickness for you to grind into it at the outer part of the handle. I may be looking at it the wrong way though.

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
... (It's been a few years since my last upload)
 
Its got a wide tapering tang - here is a photo:
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I had to drill a 1/8 hole the length of the tang, then a 1/4, etc, all the way up to a 9/16th's hole towards the blade side of the handle.

The tang goes at least 95% of the length of that long handle.
 
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What may help you is to scribe a center line on your handle. Hold a straight edge along the spine of the blade and mark the handle. That should help keep your grinds centered and away from the void in the handle.
 
Overwrap that area with hemp cord and epoxy it.
 
One funny thing about this post: when I put my photos on Imgur, lots of "civilians" say them. They were worried I was going to hurt Sadie, my dog - who I'd give my right hand for...
 
scotchleaf said:
One funny thing about this post: when I put my photos on Imgur, lots of "civilians" say them. They were worried I was going to hurt Sadie, my dog - who I'd give my right hand for...
Click to expand...

Right, because non of them ever used a kitchen knife with a pet in the room lol
 
AVigil said:
Right, because non of them ever used a kitchen knife with a pet in the room lol
Click to expand...

To be fair, that community makes Youtube commenters appear sophisticated, rational and intelligent in comparison.
 
That error is common. Most of us have done it a few times. You can remove the handle and cut it off past the bad spot and then add a new bolster block, or replace the handle. In some cases, you can grind the handle down a bit thinner and wrap as suggested by Adam.


I have a friend who puts a deep finger groove in every handle. I guess he is a slow learner, because he grinds into the epoxy on about half of them. He has taken to coloring the epoxy so it doesn't show much at all. If he sees the epoxy spot start, he quits grinding deeper. Not the best solution, but it works for him.

The real problem is holes in the block that you could park a small car in. The hole should be a little wider than the tang and as close to the tang width as possible. Making a hole broach from W2 or an old sawz-all blade makes getting a good fit simpler.
 
Kinda sucks !
It looks like you simply drill a hole large enough dia. to fit the tang, Filling the excess with epoxy ?
Aside from "do over", perhaps relief the entire area & cover it all up with a wrap of epoxy & fiber or twisted wire, etc.
 
I've filled in the holes with additional epoxy now, so I'll see if its acceptable once it hardens...
 
scotchleaf said:
I've filled in the holes with additional epoxy now, so I'll see if its acceptable once it hardens...
Click to expand...

I think this is a mistake. Just consider it "Practice" in removing and rehandling a knife. Once you've done it, you won't hesitate when it counts. IMO, you have an opportunity to increase your skill set... take it!
 
Rick: your photo looks like me when I saw the handle. you guys are probably right - I have another blade I can use with the (shorter) handle, or I can make it a two tone handle with another kind of wood. What kills me is that I've been saving that burl for years...
 
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