Should a tapered tang begin under the bolsters or behind them to be professional?

[LARRYZ10]

Let me say first that I am not a fan of tapered tang knives. I know a lot of you love them. I am going to make a few to have to show to customers who ask for them. I have made and sold more than 200 knives and once in a while I hear a customer say something like "You don't have any tapered tang knives do you...the best knife makers do them that way you know..." That being said I wonder how many of you start the taper under the bolsters which would make fitting the scales simple although it makes no difference to me because I can easily fit scales that aren't 90 degrees to the bolsters. I want to know if there is any right way to do it or if one method looks best. I will start to grind some blanks tommorrow anyway but I would love some opinions from the fine craftsmen on this forum. Thank you, Larry Lehman, Bakersfield, CA

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Larry,
I usually start the taper right where the bolsters or handle start.
On some larger knives, with a pronounced plunge line, I start it at the plunge.

 

[chris609]

It is alot easier to taper so it starts in front of the bolster if you taper behind the bolsters drill holes for the bolsters after you taper. Rob Brown has a tutorial on his web site that is very informative on tapering tangs and explains both methods. I always have tapered the tang to go foward of the bolsters.