integral hidden tang how?

butcher_block

butcher_block

Joined
Dec 6, 2004
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integral hidden tang
how does one do it to get a nice square shelf on the back of the bolster for good handle block fit up

to me the best way would be turn a part tang on a round bar then forge the blade out but i don't think that's how its done
 
try this Butch:

Make it without the tang, then drill and tap the "bolster"

Then you can use some threaded rod or a long screw to put it together

Then it will be a simple matter of making the back of the flat and true.

I am not sure if anyone is doing it like that, but it seems to make sense.

.
 
i had thought about that too but was unsure about how strong it might be (not that its a huge deal in a kitchen knife)
 
I'm pretty sure that when a customer orders an "integral" it is understood/expected
that the blade, bolster area, and tang will be one piece.

Two ways I'm aware of are to forge/grind the tang round and centered on the
back of the bolster area. then the piece can be either filed true in a file guide,
or turned (slowly) in a lathe.....After which the tang can be bent to accomodate
the grip angle.
 
I know of a couple of guys that tap the bolster. I personally use a file guide. If the bolster is round and smallish, shimming in front of the bolster will help keep the file guide lined up. I have not tried to turn the tang side out on the lathe yet but I have a small integral sitting by the lathe waiting for me to have some free time. I have only made about 7 stick tang integrals so far, but I think I can safely say cleaning up the shoulder is the easy part:)
 
I agree with Russ; the whole point of an integral is that it's made from a single, solid piece of steel.

Got a milling machine?
 
yep i have a mini mill

and i beat the hell out of it but short of a rotary table im not sure how i would index the piece
 
The blacksmith way would be to forge in the tang using a set hammer, spring fuller or guilotine to get a sharp corner at the start of the tenon. Then finish off with a monkey tool to get your square shelf.
the rest of the length of the tang can then be drawn out. Therte is an saying 5 minutes at the forge will save you 20 minutes at the bench...
 
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