Question about lightened tang for the experts.

[Andersonbushcraft]

Ahhhhh I wasn't paying attention to the finish. Gotcha.
I like the top handle palm swell. I find that helps with a good grip

Thanks! I sent a lot of time playing with this handle to get it just right. I wanted something that was large at the front to hang onto with a more open relaxed grip, but narrower to tighten around the pinky for more or a wrist flicking chop motion. I also dipped the fronts to have a spot for my thumb to sit and to be comfortable when fist gripping.

 

[David Mary]

A Andersonbushcraft just saw your post now and even at a glance I thought your hole placement in the tang was quite well done.

 

[David Mary]

If that's going to cause it to break

Which it probably won't

But if it does, it's probably going to break here

Agreed. That far back on the handle is not likely experience significant enough force or torque from regular, or even (reasonable) hard use to stress the tang to the breaking point, especially with scales attached. Abuse could still cause enough force, however. And even in cases where that might be anticipated, a similar handle without the top and bottom hole at that section would probably be fine, unless someone set out to break it.

 

[Andersonbushcraft]

Agreed. That far back on the handle is not likely experience significant enough force or torque from regular, or even (reasonable) hard use to stress the tang to the breaking point, especially with scales attached. Abuse could still cause enough force, however. And even in cases where that might be anticipated, a similar handle without the top and bottom hole at that section would probably be fine, unless someone set out to break it.

David, thanks! I normally don't drill that many extra holes, usually just the 3/8 holes, but the .280 steel and the wide handle took a lot to get the balance where I wanted it. I plan to primarily use this for chopping dead wood for fire wood at the camp site, cleaning fallen branches and small trees off the trail, general chopper tasks. Likely will only baton in an emergency. Would that fall under your regular or hard use description?

 

[David Mary]

I think batoning should be considered regular use, at least for the size of knife you are making. Perhaps a bit on the hard side, but not abusive by any stretch of the imagination. Anything that torques a knife is what I'd call full on hard use, and could cross over into abuse, depending on the cirumstances.

 

[David Mary]

I'm not shy about weight reduction in handles. These are 1/4" stock.

 

[David Mary]

And some thin stock hunters:

 

[Andersonbushcraft]

And some thin stock hunters:

Good looking patterns, thanks for sharing! If I make another one, I'll probably try to borrow some time on a milling machine and make a pocket to leave the outer "frame" thicker.