Stacked / Laminated handle

R

rscoffey

Joined
Sep 12, 2006
Messages
109
I am making a carving set as a gift. The knife and fork both have a fairly short tang (looks to be about 1 1/2" with a ferrule type bolster. I was just looking for some input from some more experienced hands as to whether the consensus is that such a short tang will be sturdy enough. Normally, when I make a hidden tang knife, the tang goes 1/2 - 2/3 of the length of the handle. And, it is not uncommon for me to do a stick tang all the way through, terminating in a pommel of some sort.

If the general thought is that such a short tang is asking for a failure, I suppose I could have a threaded rod welded onto the tang and terminate in a bolster. I was just hoping to keep the lines very clean.

Any thoughts or tutorials would be greatly appreciated.

Bob
 
A lot of knives that won't ever be asked to survive combat have been made with very short tangs and done OK. But extending the tang to at least 1/2-2/3 the handle length as you normally do couldn't hurt. Just because you asked, I can tell you'll sleep better knowing you took the extra effort :)
 
Especially with a stacked handle, the interior support is going to be needed. If not, it could easily shear at a joint. I would weld on a round extension and run it all the way through the handle. After glue-up, cut the excess off and place a copper washer on the end, then peen the rod.
 
I see Stacy's point that lammed materials will benefit very much by having steel inside. Here is one of many ways to do it, possibly the simplest way, courtesy of Mike Carter. It does not require welding, and is not intended to replace a full-length tang, but I bet it would work fine for kitchen tools.
 
What about boring a hole in the layers and inserting a steel tube that the tang can nest in?
 
C-9 said:
What about boring a hole in the layers and inserting a steel tube that the tang can nest in?
Click to expand...

That would indeed support the stacked handle material, but be more difficult to securely fasten to the tang, than using a welded or inset piece of flat stock or threaded rod.
 
That method linked to works well for attaching a butt cap, but might not be secure enough for a stacked handle. The short length and wide butt cap make for little chance of sideways movement. However, with that being several inches long, and a stacked handle, if there was lateral pressure applied, the rod might move out of the slot. Probably not a big worry, but maybe less secure than a welded tang extension.
 
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