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To weld or not to weld
- Thread starter hdmc1974
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 23, 1999
- Messages
- 1,409
It CAN work, but doing it in such a manner as to have it work, is tedious..... TIG, with similar material rod, pre-heat, post-heat, anneal, etc. If you're planning on using a stick or MIG weld, then its not a matter of IF it will fail, its a matter of WHEN.
In general its just a bad idea to try to weld a tang on a blade. I know there are some folks out there that do it, but its a recepie for failure.
In general its just a bad idea to try to weld a tang on a blade. I know there are some folks out there that do it, but its a recepie for failure.
- Joined
- Mar 31, 1999
- Messages
- 839
Unless you are really well trained as a welder I would not do it. I have the ability to do it right but why would I? Always ask yourself you would trust you life to the finished knife? It is possible that buyer A or the second buyer B takes it out and gets lost in the bush. He may need to depend upon it. I would not. I know Moran used to weld some tangs to save Damascus. I just never felt safe with it as I have a seen a couple of knives break in the handle at the tang. Which is why when I used to do the Cutting Competitions they were never allowed to enter with a welded on tang. I am not about to stand in front of one of those
However as with each maker, it is your call what you want to offer to your clients. Just be up front with them.
However as with each maker, it is your call what you want to offer to your clients. Just be up front with them.
- Joined
- Mar 31, 1999
- Messages
- 839
HD, that makes good sense.
Never let a failure go to waste. You can always use it to test out something else to satisfy that "I wonder what would happen if I do this" thing.
I sometimes get to use a knife up to 3 times before it is wasted. Different temper levels, grain structures, etchings, finishes, grinds, file works, bends, etc etc
Be sure and show you clients so they understand what you do and why you do it the way that you do.
Never let a failure go to waste. You can always use it to test out something else to satisfy that "I wonder what would happen if I do this" thing.
I sometimes get to use a knife up to 3 times before it is wasted. Different temper levels, grain structures, etchings, finishes, grinds, file works, bends, etc etc
Be sure and show you clients so they understand what you do and why you do it the way that you do.
thank you for your advide! I really appreciate it. Im just starting out and i dont want to put out a bad product. And by the way, i checked out your web site. Beautiful doesnt begin to describe your knives.
I would weld it and never look back.
I would do it something like this.
The V shape will give the weld strength so if you used it as a pry bar it wont
snap or crack on the weld line. if you don't like it, the metal can still be used
and you could mark the weld up as practice.
I would do it something like this.
The V shape will give the weld strength so if you used it as a pry bar it wont
snap or crack on the weld line. if you don't like it, the metal can still be used
and you could mark the weld up as practice.