Putting a handle on a partial tang knife?

[sph3ric pyramid]

Could someone point me to a site that describes (preferably with pictures) how to put a handle on a blade with a partial tang?

I've decided to try my hand at making a few knives out of files. The best thing is, I have "creativity" hour requirements to fulfill for graduating, and I can file my hours at knifemaking toward them. And if I sell them, I can file more hours toward my "service" hours (raising funds for the class fund).

 

[Mike Hull]

Here's a real good one.
http://www.primosknives.com/articles/mortised_tangs/mortised_tangs_1.htm

 

[sph3ric pyramid]

Thanks, that's a great guide. Looks I'll have to improvise some.

 

[sph3ric pyramid]

How are the handles on puukkos and similar knives held on? Are they epoxied into place? It may be simpler for me to do so, instead of trying to pin them into place, which would require some rather accurate drilling.

 

[Mike Hull]

Most Puuko's I've seen have a small pommel they're threaded into.
But a blind tang is no problem if you just notch the tang on the edges, so the epoxy has more to grip.
The hardest thing with that, is notching a solid block of wood for the tang.

 

[Guy Thomas]

Some are just epoxied in as you said. Many makers will file grooves or teeth into the tang to give the epoxy something to grab. You can also drill a pin hole after you glue the handle up if you want.

Traditional puukkos have a tang that goes all the way through the handle and the tip of the tang is then peened down onto a washer on the butt of the handle to hold everything together.

 

[sph3ric pyramid]

Thanks, I see. Another question, how does one go about bolting a handle together? I've seen how to pin a handle together with epoxy, but what components are used in bolting? Also, do the pins have to be an exact fit where they enter and leave the scales, or are the spaces secured with epoxy?