Hidden Tangs and Thin Steel

[Augus7us]

Hey Guys,

I am working on some paring knives and using .110" steel for them. I had them ground and ready for handles and bolsters when I realized I've never attempted a hidden tang with steel this thin before.

I have drill bits that will work but it dawned on me that they are too short for the length of the tang and I don't have a mill. I've seen hidden tang knives here with really thin steel so I'm wondering what folks use to bore out the hole for the tang when the steel is this thin?

I've never looked but I am guessing something like a 3"+ drill bit or end mill in 3/32 is not too common or rigid. I've thought about burning the handle on but I've only done that with regular wood and am not sure how much success one would have with stabilized wood.

Thanks

-Clint

 

[daizee]

Hey Guys,

I am working on some paring knives and using .110" steel for them. I had them ground and ready for handles and bolsters when I realized I've never attempted a hidden tang with steel this thin before.

I have drill bits that will work but it dawned on me that they are too short for the length of the tang and I don't have a mill. I've seen hidden tang knives here with really thin steel so I'm wondering what folks use to bore out the hole for the tang when the steel is this thin?

I've never looked but I am guessing something like a 3"+ drill bit or end mill in 3/32 is not too common or rigid. I've thought about burning the handle on but I've only done that with regular wood and am not sure how much success one would have with stabilized wood.

Thanks

-Clint

Hi Clint,

I drill a hole the diameter of the height of the tang (say 1/4"), rather than slim the tang to the thickness of the steel.
Use a small pin and fill the hole with epoxy during assembly. It will hold very nicely when it cures to a solid block.

 

[jdm61]

Or do a mortised handle.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The hole an be wider than the tang. Get a long drill bit and use it. 3/16" and 1/4" bits come in 6" lengths.