Today's dumb question

[Alarion]

What you drill large holes in the tang of a knife for?
To remove material and balance the knife differently than if it was solid?

 

[Bruce Evans]

You Have hit it on the head...
Not a dumb question at all..
Bruce

 

[george tichbourne]

It also provides an epoxy to epoxy bond between the scales sometimes called an epoxy pin. This added strength is more benefit in my opinion than the slight weight shift that it achieves.

 

[Danbo]

You got it right; the big holes are mainly for weight reduction. Some people(like me) dont like to taper tangs. I like the looks of a tapered tang, but a lot of times I prefer the thicker feel of a non tapered tang with holes drilled for weight reduction.

 

[Chang]

Danbo, why not just thicken the scales as it gets closer to the end? Then it would be the same thickness even though there was a tapered tang.

 

[L6steel]

When I make a knife without scales, usually a neck knife, I drill and counter sink large holes to help the grip.