Sunken Joints

[ddml]

I've got inexpensive Imperials with sunk joints.

I've read that sunk joints have less strength than common or semi sunk joints. And common joints are the strongest. Always a compromise I guess.

 

[okbohn]

These are some great pictures!

 

[flatblackcapo]

Thank y'all who took time to explain what the term sunk joint means. I learned something new today

 

[biglmbass]

Dug a few out for comparison, Derrick!

The top two have common joints, and are straightforward working knives.
The next two have half sunk (sometimes called semi-sunk, in older literature) joints, often seen in equal end and sleeveboard jacks and whittlers like these.
The fifth knife has two sunk joints at the top of the serpentine curve, and one semi-sunk joint in the trough of the other part of the serpentine curve.
It's a nicely designed knife by Bill Ruple!
The last knife is a nice little I*XL Pearl pen with sunk joints.

What make is the heavy jack up top, Charlie? It's a jewel.

 

[coyotebc]

I am getting to hate you guys
Every time I turn around you are posting pictures of some very beautiful knives that I have to add to my want list

Keep it up please

 

[Pipeman]

The Garland whittler on the bottom has sunk joints. Great thread.

Best regards

Robin

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[waynorth]

What make is the heavy jack up top, Charlie? It's a jewel.

It's an older Ulster, Bass. Heavy gauge main blade.

 

[KrisNZ]

I too, am a fan of sunk joints. To help newer people understand them, I have copied a page from Bernie Levine's book.
Apparently the proper "old cutler speak" term is "sunk" not "sunken".

Ahhhh, now I know what a sunk joint is! Thanks!!!

Kris,.

 

[Humppa]

Thanks for the information, fellows! I it seems, I know what sunk joints means.



I need to take better pics ot my knives

 

[Clem Kadiddlehopper]

I've got inexpensive Imperials with sunk joints.

I've read that sunk joints have less strength than common or semi sunk joints. And common joints are the strongest. Always a compromise I guess.

Why are they stronger?

Well lets take a look at some knives and see......

The photo below is a photo I took years ago of Todd Davison's knife #210, it has a semi sunk joint. Todd made ALL his knives with a sunk joint or close to it. Now he makes them ALL with a common joint. Why did he change?

1. - The strength thing.
2. - The look of the knife.

You see on a sunk joint the blade tang does NOT go clear across the bolster like on a common joint knife. (Photo A) Todd wanted his to go clear across for the look of the knife.
And when it doesn't - that is were the strength is compromised. He tried to get both but you can't - believe me he tried.....

I have seen some knives made on the forums here that were shy going clear across, but still had the blade "Run Up". That is a design flaw in the knife. I will not posted photos of those, you will just have to look for them your selves.

And like it says in the Levine page Charlie posted - Over size bolsters are NOT sunk joint knives.

I used a couple of Jason's photos for examples here - Thanks Jason.:thumbup:

So now you should really know?