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useage of knife frame handle?
- Thread starter drios
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I don't understand your question.
A hidden tang is just that - it is hidden, and is not a full tang and it does NOT appear or pretend to be a full tang.
A full tang is visible from all sides of the handles/scales, a hidden tang is not.
A full tang usually offers better balance in a larger knife, and is typically stronger. A hidden tang is well-suited to a smaller knife however, and doesn't sacrifice much in the way of strength on a smaller blade as the leverage applied in cutting is usually less.
A hidden tang is just that - it is hidden, and is not a full tang and it does NOT appear or pretend to be a full tang.
A full tang is visible from all sides of the handles/scales, a hidden tang is not.
A full tang usually offers better balance in a larger knife, and is typically stronger. A hidden tang is well-suited to a smaller knife however, and doesn't sacrifice much in the way of strength on a smaller blade as the leverage applied in cutting is usually less.
Do you have a particular knife in mind?I was wondering what is the usage when you have a hidden tang with a frame handle? Does it has any benefits that makes it stronger or only for decoration to let it appear full tang? I have no clue, can't find it anywhere
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Lol, I know what a full tang is. I know what a hidden tang is.
Again, I don't understand what you are asking. Since you Googled it, what is not clear to you about the difference?
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It's not going to add any strength, the weak spot still is going to be behind the ricasso, it's just a way to be able to slip a full gard while having a full tang look.
what is the use of this frame around it? Makes it the knife in some sort of way stronger I don't understand?
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Just look at the link below. You just might not know all the knaf stuff.
Knifemaking: Frame Handle Construction
Frame handle construction for knives has been around for centuries. Historical examples of many Eastern styles like the kard, khyber and yataghan often feature ornamented frame handles. Nineteenth-century knives attributed to James Black and some of the early American bowies also had frame...
blademag.com
Looks like a full tang, but it’s not.
ohh okay thanks
Big thing is it allow certain guard styles and levels of fitment that wouldn't be possible or at least very complicated to be done easier. On cheap knives it's done as a cost saving measure, many times the frames are cast in huge lots and the blades are just slapped in and pinned.
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Just look at the link below. You just might not know all the knaf stuff.
Knifemaking: Frame Handle Construction
Frame handle construction for knives has been around for centuries. Historical examples of many Eastern styles like the kard, khyber and yataghan often feature ornamented frame handles. Nineteenth-century knives attributed to James Black and some of the early American bowies also had frame...blademag.com
Looks like a full tang, but it’s not.
I see now that he is not talking about a full tang or a hidden tang.
I suppose I should have clued in on the words "frame handle", which is neither a full or hidden tang, yet both.
It is actually closer to a hidden tang, and does offer a little more strength than a conventional hidden tang due to the mechanical connection to the frame. That is ASSUMING the frame is actually a solid part of the knife like a skeletonized handle is (and not just covered up by the bolster and not attached to anything).
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They look nice, and enable a guard to slip into place then build a bigger handle behind it, but they’re inherently weaker than a full tang knife. I surely wouldn’t beat on one.I see now that he is not talking about a full tang or a hidden tang.
I suppose I should have clued in on the words "frame handle", which is neither a full or hidden tang, yet both.
It is actually closer to a hidden tang, and does offer a little more strength than a conventional hidden tang due to the mechanical connection to the frame.
J. Doyle
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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It can be used for aesthetic reasons and/or to alter the balance of the knife in either direction.
They can be very strong/tough when properly made. I would use a well made one for anything I would use any other knife for.
I've made a few.
They can be very strong/tough when properly made. I would use a well made one for anything I would use any other knife for.
I've made a few.
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Karl posted a great pic a couple weeks ago of one he was working on. Having 4 of his takedown knives already and knowing how tight and strong his guard and handle fit is when secured, I can’t see how his frame handle construction could be “weaker” like others are saying in comparison. With slots in the guard for the frame to fit in there doesn’t seem to be an avenue for movement.
J. Doyle
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Exactly.
I bet 99.99% of people who talk about the strength of knives have never broken one in use.
Being able to build a well made frame handle with all the parts, like Karl's, and have it look/feel/perform like one solid piece is a testimony to one's skill and precision.
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I don’t really see a lot of frame handle “in-progress” pictures so it’s interesting to see it when I can. You mentioned using that construction for shifting the balance of a knife and I think the picture above is a good representation of that too, with that long blade it needs something other than just a hidden tang style wood handle. Of course a pommel can be added but that can be boring and everyone does it lol.
