Wasted blades and wasted nights...

panch0

panch0

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
3,415
Ok, I was going to use this small knife with a piece of antler to make a little hunting knife. That is why I made the tang so thin. This knife is at Peter's HT and I have been wondering if I made the tang to thin. My guess is yes.
It is a small knife and I decided to use cocobolo as the handle. I was also going to remove the botton 1/2" of the tang. What I would like to know from you guys is if this is worth finishing? I may sell it or give it as a gift I am not sure. What say you?

I made this a while back and cut grooves into the side thinking it will provide more strength from the blade being pulled out.:o

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Not too small. Bed it well in a good epoxy. A ferrule that reinforces the tang-blade junction will add strength. Lots of the old stuff had skinny tangs. Keep the tang as long as you can.
 
If it was a big ol' zombie-killer, I'd be concerned. For a hunter, I think it's worth finishing. If the steel is non-stainless, temper back the tang with a torch to help with toughness. Fox's idea about a metal ferrule behind the guard couldn't hurt.
 
Well, as my friend Ed Fowler (yes, I really do know Ed) would probably say, "It's not a waste if you learn something from it." At least it would be somthing to that effect.

I agree with fox, a good epoxy and it should be fine. Or depending on what steel it is, cold always try to a good weld on the tang to thicken it up but that might make the blade too soft.

Ya'll may think I don't know anything about knives but I've done my research. Got seven books on the subject, read many websites on the subject and conversed with several makers a lot more experianced than I. But I know there's a lot more for me to learn.:) Right now, I'm all theory and not practical experiance but that will change.:D

Anywho, back on topic.
 
I agree, worth finishing. Won't be a heavy duty chopper but no one in their right mind would think a knife that size was.
 
Finish it, I've got file knives made 30 years ago epoxied into micarta handles still
going strong.
Ken.
 
Pancho, I'd say finish it! Go have a look at some blades by Helle or Brusletto. I've roughed up more than a few of those knives in the field and they hold up well with similar sized tangs.

Walter
 
James_Terrio said:
Done yet? ;)

btw, are you a Freddy Fender fan, or was that just a coinkydink?
Click to expand...

Lol. I have'nt even gotten the blade back yet. I am more of a fan of the Texas Tornados. I didn't think anybody would figure that out. Mr. Fender grew up about 20 minutes away from where I live, so he was well known in these parts.
 
My Dad was a big FF fan. I know that song by heart. :) 'Bout time we had some tunes in the shop...

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