Tapered tang?

[akadave2]

I love the look and balance of a knife with a tapered tang. Does Busse every do tapered tangs?

Thanks

Dave

 

[knife hunter]

THis is a quote from Jerry from a thread not to long ago referring to tapered tangs...

and Heres the thread its from: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ed-tapered-tangs/page2?highlight=Tapered+tang

Tapered tangs can be very cool. I made quite a few in my earlier days. However, they really don't lend themselves to our designs since nearly all of our designs have an exposed butt and many have the rear drop down talons. Imagine that rear talon or exposed tang being only .060" thick!!! You'd chop one branch and your pinky would shear off like a mini gerken in a guillotine!!! Hammering the butt end of a large knife can also be interesting when the exposed butt is only .060" thick.

I also like the control that is provided when you want to regulate the balance as well as the rigidity that is maintained with a full thickness tang that has cut outs or mill outs. Tapered tangs primarily remove the weight from the butt end of the knife leaving you with few options when trying to achieve proper balance.

Let's Drink!!!! :thumbup:

Jerry
.

 

[akadave2]

THis is a quote from Jerry from a thread not to long ago referring to tapered tangs...

and Heres the thread its from: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ed-tapered-tangs/page2?highlight=Tapered+tang

I understand the rationale to a point. my FFBM would not be a good candidate, but a fast light fighting knife would and does definitely benefit. Ive handled a lot that balance perfectly. Of course they were not knives you could pry a car door open with. I think it should be offered on some models that dont have the exposed part of the tang. Of course its much much easier to not have a tapered tang as well so labor cost is a factor.

I also like distal taper on a cutting only knife too. I guess Busses are the wrong format for such a blade.

 

[mikeymoto]

When I think Busse I do not think tapered tangs!

 

[<Flux>]

I think the LB treatment that Busse came up with is pretty great. The point of a tapered tang is weight reduction, is it not? Maybe a tapered tang would take more weight off than Busse's LB, but I personally don't see the need. I think Busse figured out a way to lighten up some of their blades without any real draw backs. I'd say that's some great innovation/implementation.

Keep in mind that this is coming from someone who has not handled a blade with a tapered tang, and is really thrilled about his new TG LBS.

Regarding a distal taper, some Busses do use them. My ASH has a distal taper starting at the Ricasso. Also, the B-11 tapers at the Ricasso a bit -- not sure if you'd consider that a distal taper.

 

[resinguy]

I understand the rationale to a point. my FFBM would not be a good candidate, but a fast light fighting knife would and does definitely benefit. Ive handled a lot that balance perfectly. Of course they were not knives you could pry a car door open with. I think it should be offered on some models that dont have the exposed part of the tang. Of course its much much easier to not have a tapered tang as well so labor cost is a factor.

I also like distal taper on a cutting only knife too. I guess Busses are the wrong format for such a blade.

I'm with you on pretty much all of this, having also handled big knives with tapers in both directuions that had amazing balance and feel. Labor cost is not likely an issue for Busse, as the knife blanks are machined on CNC stations. If they can do the unique Light Brigade treatment, they could do tapered tangs. The quote from Jerry above was in response to my own previous question re tapered tangs, and I appreciated his explanation. You are right that they could do a light, fast fighter that couldn't be used for heavy work, but that is not what the Busse Combat Knife Company is all about. Rather, they do knives that are "Absolutely Guaranteed for Life" pretty much no matter what you do to abuse it.

While most Busse blades are full thickness most of the length, there are some with a bit of distal taper. Can't think of which models, off hand.