Tang

Walt2

Walt2

Joined
Mar 13, 2001
Messages
1,157
I am interested in knowing how most makers finish the exposed area of the tang when scales are used. Do most finish the metal before putting the scales on? I have finished several before putting the scales on and will usually wind up scratching the finished metal while grinding the scales to size. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Walt, this is one area that there are as many different ways to do it as there are makers. I try, depending on the scales, knife, etc, to drill all my pin holes in both the scales and frame. I then do all the grinding and sanding on the scales that need to be done. I remove the scales and finish them and very carefully replace them, Since I don't peen the pins much if at all, it's just a matter of epoxy and clamping.
 
I fit and finish my scales to the perimeter of tang (at least so far). I almost always finish the tang spine and belly to 220 grit before affixing scales. I round my scales to the tang edges (there are no scale flats at tang edges). I finish work the scales by hand filing and hand sanding with progressively finer grits. By the time I am finished and ready for the buffer the tang perimeter is smooth enough for the buffer. It sounds more time consuming than it really is. Many times I do have to give the tang spine and belly alittle extra elbow grease.

RL
 
:) I always finish the flats to whatever grit for the knife I'm working on, then attach the handle scales (the front of the scales will already be shaped and finished). Then shape the handle with the belt grinder and hand sanding. I always use masking tape to protect the finished flats.
 
Well, I never finish the spine or the edge of the tang until final shaping. I polish the ricasso and apply the bolsters, which are usually about 1/16" oversized top and bottom, then apply the scales, similarly oversized. Then I grind the scales and bolsters to the tang and work the metal through progressive grits along with shaping the handle.

I've tried semi-finishing the tang before hand but that just ends up being double work for me since I do all rough shaping of the scales at at least 60 grit. FWIW
 
I do mine the same as Dave. This for me at least has been the best way to grind the handle and bolster and reduce wasted time.

Good luck.

Sean
 
Dave, its all about the same for me. I do the 220 grit on the horizontal edge grinder before affixing bolsters/guard and scales. It makes little difference since the filing will mare it past 220 anyhow.

The only major difference I can tell from your post, and I think you probably do the same as I, is that I shape the bolsters/guard before affixing the scales since the scales are softer and are prone to cutting too deeply as the bolsters are shaped close to the mating of scales.

RL
 
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