Tapered Tangs - Explain please

RobKevlar

RobKevlar

Joined
Dec 4, 2012
Messages
265
So I see alot of hype about tapered tangs. For me I don't honestly know the difference other than tang appearance. What are the pros and cons of tapered and non tapered. Why so much excitment over tapered tangs?


Thanks in advance


Rob
 
For me the forward weight gives me the feeling of more control, less "clumsy". You can really only tell the difference if you have two knives side by side and feel the difference! Besides, I like the look too!
 
If you use the same scales, grip will be slightly thinner toward the rear with a tapered tang. Can help make a slightly lighter, more lively knife.

It will move the balance of the knife forward. My tapered tang KE Bushie balances perfectly on my index finger right at the base of the scale where it meets the finger guard - which is right where I want it.
I didn't try a non-tapered version, but I imagine it would feel slightly handle-heavy.
Perusing the Fiddleback posts from 2012, I can't decide which looks better to me - tapered, or full thickness. WIth the way he lays up his scales, liners, pinstripes, and pins I think both options look absolutely fantastic.

Mostly, I think it is difficult to grind an evenly tapered tang. Doing so, and perfectly mounting the scales, shows Andy's skill as a knifemaker and meets or exceeds the expectations of an ever more hard-to-please buying public.
 
The above statement is right on the money! Getting a thin, even taper on the tang can be a real nightmare and it's a testament to Andy's talents that his look so well done. I forge in a taper when doing a full tang knife, but it's still a total P.I.T.A. to get the tang level enough for good handle fit. Andy's are way ahead of mine.:)
 
Well said. I forge the taper into my full tang blades as well. Not about looks to me, but about overall balance of the knife.
Plus it saves on steel. With good distal taper fore and aft the knife will stay in your hand where it's supposed to be and makes it lighter as well, reducing hand fatigue.
On big choppers, it moves the weight balance forward for more power in the stroke (moving toward axe physics).
(Brother RLo, it's just a pita 'cause you don't practice enough anymore! Too busy cutting up cows.)
 
Its just about knifemakers showing off.

Haha.
 
Fiddleback said:
Its just about knifemakers showing off.

Haha.
Click to expand...

Actually, was thinking that it is Andy pushing his skill levels further. Man just ain't happy unless he's got a challenge working. Now he's got two more surfaces to worry about.

:)
 
I have a couple of tapered tank knives fro tk steingass and they feel brilliant in the hand.

Stop the knife feeling like all the weight is in the handle but gives you full tang strength..
 
Yes tapered tangs have function but they also show skill.. The buying public has so many options and you throw in some of the handle work that Andy does and a nice tapered tang and your getting a high end knife. Not that his other stuff was not. Just better now.
 
Other factors of tapered tangs from use and carry perspectives are that it is one way to shift weight and make a shorter blade still be barely blade heavy and so more effective in snap cuts and light chopping as in making cooking sticks and utensils, or clearing large briers from a path, and small branches from a line of fire. Also it reduces stress on a sheath during a lot of walking or running in the field by not having a handle that's heavier than the blade always pulling at the leather and the stitches
 
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