some haphazard hacking on a 2X4

hardheart

hardheart

Joined
Sep 19, 2001
Messages
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I did this because I had a Dan Koster langseax in the exchange, and received a few emails asking if it was full tang or had a pin through the tang. The knife was made from a Nicholson file, so it naturally has a stick tang. Dan advertises his 'stickers' as users, and I didn't want to doubt him without reason. The man loves his kukris, so I'd say he knows how to make a workhorse. I went ahead and hacked away at this board just to see if there was any issue. After sending many chips flying and cutting through the 2X4 twice, the convex-edged W2 blade still shaved arm hair without trouble. No handle loosening or cracking. It's a nice knife, I just have a golok that would be easier to rehandle in case of an issue in use, and a paratrooper with plenty of belly.
http://www.kosterknives.com/langseax.jpg


This was the first go, just whacking away in a less than efficient manner to see if any glances and bad hits would cause a problem. The second cut was much better (I calmed down :p) Only thing I noticed is that once I hit the knots, the effectiveness fell off a bit. Really just requires an adjustment on my part, this blade doesn't have a lot of mass at the tip, so more velocity is needed.
 
That is a really nice looking knife :

langseax.jpg


Any details on the construction? Cutting through knots is generally an effort, many times more work than clear wood, even if it was much denser.

-Cliff
 
I'd say it's good, but my frame of reference is different than many. I'm used to trying to hold onto chrome plated wrenches with grease covered hands while lying on cold concrete under a vehicle, or trying to turn a screwclamp with diesel running down my arms on the back of a work boat in light seas. The fact that the handle has any shape to it at all makes it pretty secure, plus it actually feels very nice to me. None of my blades have lanyards, though I rig one when there's a chance it could fall in the bayou.

There was no vibration through the handle on any of the swings, but I was hitting at a pretty good spot on the blade for most all attempts.
 
If I get this right, a sticker is a knife that has a tang that is much smaller than the blade and it is then "stuck" into the handle.

If that is correct, what is the benefit of that?
To me it would seem like a weak way to secure that blade to the handle.
 
I wouldn't say there is a benefit to the tang being stuck into a handle. However, he doesn't really have a lot of opitions since these knives are made from files that already have a thin tang. The shortie sticker looks like a steal to me. Nice working blade shape, and nice looking handle shape. Great price. I've made a knife out of these files so I know how it is to grind at 60RC and try to keep the temper from burning out of them. Think I softened mine in my oven come to think of it. To bring it down a couple points. Anyhow, his prices are very good. And attractive blade shapes.
 
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