Requesting a mentor to help me handle to a stick tang Mora type blade.

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
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I have picked up the recommended books and checked out quite a few web sites - but I would like someone who has handled a few stick tang Mora's as a resource to ask questions to.

Would anyone be willing to help me out in this regard?
 
I think the next thing we need to know is what you plan on using for handle material. I don't think there is a lot of difference between methods for the different materials, but someone here could point you towards a WIP using a similar handle material on a different knife.

Like this Bruce Bump hidden tang WIP

And the links that the count provides in this thread shows some Bruce Bump WIPs on a W pattern Stag handled Bowie. Different knife styles but they may be useful to you.
 
I have experience with stacked leather handles. I'd be happy to provide what limited knowledge I have.
 
As have many on this forum, I have done a lot of Saami style (Nordic) handles. The best plan is to do it as a WIP. Post your plan, materials, and equipment you will use. Then you will get a lot of advise - some from those who have done it, and some from those who have only read about the process. You can get a lot from both groups, but those who have done it will give you clearer advise ,usually.

Bo Bergman's book " KNIFEMAKING" is the book to have if you want to make stunning Nordic knives. It is the best step-by-step book on the subject.

There are also several good tutorials online for making a Nordic handle.

So tell us a bit about what you have planned.



I also will state the obvious:
You have been here for four and a half years, posted nearly three times a day on average, are a Gold member,and still haven't filled out your profile????? I assume you are a knife aficionado, and not a maker, as you are working at a starter kit level. Nothing wrong with that, but filling out your profile should have been done 5300 posts ago.
 
For me, for many years, Bladeforums only had ONE forum - The Wilderness and Survival forum. I got into knives only as a means to make things I had always wanted to make since I was a kid who saved up his money to buy the worst knife ever made (the Ubiquitous Chinese Rambo Survival Knife) that didn't cut and could not be sharpened.

I have hung out on WSS pretty much from my first post on this forum. I posted a LOT at the beginning - getting every scrap of information I could to learn how to make friction fire, my own cordage, and build my own traps.

Then after about two years I decided to try my hand at making leather sheaths - so I made a bunch and started even selling them. I made friends with some of the makers on this forum, including Rick Marchand (Even though we all know he is really an ass ;) ) Andy Roy and some others. I have slowed down on my sheath making and really do not make them on consignment any more as my hobby was quickly turning into a job and I started really hating that. Here is my most recent sheath:

HowtoMakeaPouchSheath081.jpg


This sheath making was actually turned into a 6 post 'how to' in Andy Roy's section (Fiddleback Forge) as a gift back to Andy for all his help with me. In fact, due to a collaboration with Andy - he produces one of my designs called the Arete. I am proud of that design - but there is no way in hades I could make - nor do I really truly have the love it would take to do it right. I love knives, but I don't think I would love making them. I respect the great makers here, and own quite a few of their blades (Koster, Fiddleback, Laconico, and others) but I don't think I would do making a knife from scratch justice.

However, I do have a dream of using a knife that I did more than just make the sheath for it. Who knows, maybe I will fall in love and decide to make my own.

So - here is my plan. I have three or four Stick Tang sub 4" blades from Ragweed Forge (Frosts, Mora, and the like) that I would like to make a handle for. I own Bo Bergman's book on the topic and have found it to be very informative. I have even read 20 to 30 'how to's' on the subject on various places on the web. I picked up a bunch of wood a while back from 'Burl Source' (it was one of his grab bag sales) and found that I had about 8 blocks of Tiger Maple that would do well for these projects. That is what I plan to use to start.

I will need to make a press for gluing the tang in place (it is not long enough to peen over as I want a handle at 4.5 inches) but I think that should be little problem. I will need to get some special rasps, drill bits, and files before starting - and am a little unsure what to get in that department.

As you can see, I have done a lot of research, and didn't (in the vein of the respect thread on this forum) simply post up a 'How do you make a stick tang handle?' post and waste peoples time. I was hoping someone would pop up and say 'Yeah man, I have built quite a few - what do you need to know' - and I could take it to PM's and not clutter the forum.

I think that Blade Forum's is large enough that we can isolate ourselves in our pockets of interest and not venture too much out of it. I have read dozens of posts by Stacy over the years and have never looked at his profile. He could delete it, post in this forum and people wouldn't wonder who he is. I posted so regularly in the WSS forums over the years that many people simply know my posts by my avatar (which is old and needs to be changed). - but I rarely ventured out of that forum. I meant no disrespect - I just never really thought about my profile - but I have updated it.

So that is my story - does that help?

TF
 
I'll make you a deal. I'll answer any questions about stick tangs I possibly can, if you show me how to add a firesteel loop to a pouch sheath like the one you posted. We can do it here or in private, doesn't matter much to me :)
 
Unky,

Don't ask me how I missed it - but that tutorial by Bruce Bump answered about 15 of the questions I had!

To all:

Here is what I need to know now - if any of you can help - I would be MOST appreciative:

1) As I want to make an all wood handle first (no bolsters, guards, or spacers) - To drill out the wood from the front - I would need something like a 3/32nd drill bit that is about 4 inches long. Do they sell such a thing - and does it make sense to use it? (i.e. does it bend or warp in the wood due to it being so thin and long?)

2) What files and saws do you recommend for doing the work inside the wood once i have drilled it out. Bruce Bump uses a 'broach' but I don't even know what that is! ;) Bergman uses a small saw blade - does anyone have a source for such a small device?

3) What rasps and files would you recommend for finishing the handle once secured.

4) As the knife i am using does not have a tang long enough to peen - I will be epoxying the tang in place - or in this case adding a pin or two to the knife for security.

5) The tang I am starting with appears to have an annealed tang as it is easy to file. It also already has a hole in it. Can I simply use a brass rod that fits this hole - or would you recommend another type of material or device?

6) Is one pin enough - or should I add two if I can?

7) Once I have the pin in place - I am sure it will grind and sand at a different rate than the wood around it - any advice on making sure the pin doesn't stay 'proud' of the wood.

8) I know many people talk of using a slow curing epoxy for these applications - any brand names of places of purchase that can be recommended?

I think that is it for now. See what I mean? Now I am taking up all sorts of space! ;)

TF
 
James - YOU HAVE A DEAL!

It is SUPER easy - and it depends on how you want to do it. You have a few choices - add it to a dangler like this:

FiddlebackWoodsmanSheath001.jpg


Or you have to add it to the outside. What would you like to do?

TF
 
Hey there neighbor. You have quite a few makers around you in the Houston area. I am about an hour north of you (Lake Conroe). I have been making about 2 years and I learned from a JS named Mitch Wilkins (Anvilring here on BF). If you get in touch with Mitch he really is knowledgeable in hidden tangs and he even makes his own broaches. I have made a few as well but hardly an expert on Hidden tang. I don't like referencing you to another site but in this case it could help you. Take a look at Texas knifemakers and collectors site. It has the members listed and their location plus contact info. I know there are a couple in your area of Katy.
The moral of this is find a maker near you and ask to get together. Unlike many other fields I have found most makers are really friendly and enjoy teaching sincere people who want to learn. You are more than welcome to come up here and play in the shop and I can try to get Mitch as well. But you might find you have someone even closer. Good luck and have fun.
Dan
 
On the TKCA page,just click on Members and a list will come up showing most of us.
I'm in Waller about 30 min.from you.If you want to come by let me know.
Stan
 
Talfuchre,

If you want a simple wood handle without any kind of guard or bolster then you have 2 choices in the construction. 1) Keep your block whole and drill/rasp a cavity for the tang, or 2) do a mortised handle (similar to a full tang with 2 piece slabs, except the tang will be hidden when done).

A broach the way Bruce Bump used it was basically a saw with a wide kerf that cut on the pull stroke rather than the push. You can make one with a hack saw blade that is ground to fit the tang hole.

Here's some tutorials that might help on the first method I described: http://home.comcast.net/~bradjarvis3/knife_instructions.html

http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/cache/articles/gl1/knifemaking1.htm

And the mortised tang construction: http://www.americanbladesmith.com/i...nstalling-a-guard-and-mortised-handle-how-to/
 
I am thinking again about the bolster thing. I think if I do it right - I can get away with a lot more in the way of a hole wandering slightly off center - or a little over large. The epoxy will eat that up.

I am thinking a brass bolster would look cool and give me something to practice on for now.


TF
 
I always thought this was a great step by step example of what you’re looking for. Forgot who the maker was, but he did a great job....

Good luck Tal, and great work on those sheaths….:thumbup: - Larry


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Great photos Larry.

For the clamp, use a woodworkers two jaw hand screw clamp.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Category/2082689/Handscrews.aspx

Make a shallow depression, about 3/4" round in one jaw, about 1.5" in from the end . Set the butt in this and the tip on the other jaw. Position the tip so the clamping force is straight down the knife. Check before the epoxy cures that the handle in straight to the blade.You only need to clamp hard enough to hold things in place....don't over clamp.
Cutting a 1/4" wide slot about 1" deep down the other jaw can make it ,more versatile, as it can clamp against a guard, too.



Talfuchre, welcome to Shop Talk. Now that we know where you are, all sorts of possibilities open up.
 
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