Hidden tang slot in handle?

scottickes

scottickes

Joined
Oct 27, 2005
Messages
2,527
I have a question about slotting the handle material for a hidden tang knife. I'll begin with how I'm currently doing it, but it is a PITA the way I'm doing it. There must be a better way.

Currently, I make the guard first, and slot it with drills and files until I get a nice fit up to the ricasso. I use a file guide and hand file the slot in the guard and the tang of the knife, including the back of the ricasso.

I then use stick glue to glue my guard onto the partially shaped handle material. Once the stick glue is set up, I use the guard as a template and drill the handle material. My problem is that the sides of a drill bit don't cut, so it's a pain to get a uniform slot all the way down.

I usually use a single pin through the handle and tang to secure everything.

Can I get a long shafted end mill that I can put in my drill press to clean out this slot? If I can get one, where would I find one at?

How do those of you who slot handles and guards perform this procedure?

Ickie
 
I use spiral cut drills made for cutting wood.They are drills that also cut sidways.I get mine at Orchard Supply hardware.
 
I lay out the end of the wood block to determing the width needed to accept the tang and ut a center line on. I then drill a hole on either side to establish the width. I then use a spiral cut drill to cut the center between the two holes out as deep as I can. I then put the block into a vise and use an oxy/acet torch to heat the end of the tang to cherry red. I then burn the hole into the block using the tang for that. It makes for a tight fitting hole and is the easiest method I have used. All my hidden tangs are done this way. Take a look at www.billsblades.com
 
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