Light weight "Half Tangs"

Tom Krein

Tom Krein

Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
1,628
I made up one of these half tang knives several years ago and really liked it. Never got around to doing anymore due to the time it takes to fit them up properly. Well I decided to make a few for blade. This makes the knives quiet a bit lighter.

The drop point hunter is my model TK-3 and it has black denim Fibermascus handle, the blade steel is S30V. This is some neat handle material.

The one in the middle is a TK-11. The handle material is black linen micarta and the blade steel is S30V also.

The last one (on top) is a new model called the "Hydra". The handle matterial is black/green G-10 and the blade is Stellite alloy 6K.

What do you think about the half tang concept? While probably not the way to go on a big chopper I think the blade will fail before the handle. Look forward to your response.

Tom Krein
 

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I think they look great and the top one would make an excellent necker.There is nothing worse in a neck knife for me than having a style I really like and having it way a ton.I don't see a problem with the concept in a smaller knife.
 
Sweet stuff there Tom. I will be putting in some extra OT the next few months so I can get some more toys, and you are on the list.
 
I've done a few that way as well. Works great, nice and light.
Those look really nice, but personally I would want more than one pin going through the tang. With just one, if the epoxy were to fail, the blade could rotate like a folding knife.

Those look great though, I really like the overall design. Should make a nice slim EDC :cool:
 
those look sweet Tom -- :eek:

I bet your table goes from full to empty in about 2 seconds at Blade!! (And I wish I got to be part of the feeding frenzy. ;) )
 
Thanks all!

Matt,
With the close tolerances on the fitting even without the glue during the trial run on putting them together the blade has no play. The handle material butts up against the back of the blade and locks it solid.

Jon,
It is lighter than a tappered tang. Hope to meet you at Blade and put one in your hand. :D

Tom
 
Burchtree said:
those look sweet Tom -- :eek:

I bet your table goes from full to empty in about 2 seconds at Blade!!
Click to expand...


I'm gonna give it until about an hour after the show opens up. ;) :)
 
Revolvergeek,
Overall length is 6 1/8" and the blade length is 2 1/4".

Burchtree and Danbo,
I can only hope....
 
Beautifully executed, Tom, as usual. I do this style as well, more because I've run out of steel, than anything else. Personally, I find it far too fiddly to fit up, and can do a nice tapered tang in 1/2 the time.

Nonetheless, it does help with a different sort of feel and balance that some people like. You're right - the handle is probably stronger than the blade under most use. Particularly G10. I wouldn't be doing this with natural handle materials. I tested 1 by placing the blade in a vise, and hammering on the back of the handle which had only 1 pin and it didn't come apart (until I used a bigger hammer... :D ). I can attest that that type of handle will put up with more crap than most of us mere mortals can throw at it.

I still put 2 pins through the tang portion and a 3rd pin through the rear handle portion, just for psychological reassurance. :rolleyes:

Good one again. Have a good show. Jason.
 
I got to check out Tom's knives at his table. Very nice stuff indeed. If you get a chance stop by his table at blade.

I have no doubt at all that his half tangs are as strong as he says they are. They are very precisely fit!

I had dinner with Tom too..a really nice and easy guy.
 
Thanks guys!

Dig-it,
I hope to have my website up and running soon. I will no longer be .com, but .biz, .net, etc. www.kreinknives.net Long story.

If you have any questions or would like to see some pics now, feel free to send an e-mail and will send you the info requested. Sorry for the problems.

Tom
 
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