Hello all,
I have been scouring this forum for a while now to glean every bit of advice I can, and it has been very helpful, but I figure it's about time I ask a question of my own. I'm fairly new to bladesmithing and ABS so please bear with my ignorance. So far, the few blades I have made have all had a hidden tang, so with my next piece I would like to learn the process of making a full tang. My two primary concerns are the guard and pins. Because the tang is thicker at the base than where it meets the blade, I cannot simply cut a hole in the guard like I would for a hidden tang (or can I?). What is the best way to form and attach the guard? Concerning pins how are they used to fasten the handle: are they peened and ground flat, or simply glued in place, or something else altogether? Also, I've attached a copy of the design for this knife, I would appreciate hearing any comments or concerns.
Thanks for your help!
~ Josh S.
Josh,
The picture that you have shows a double guard. If this is what you are wanting then I would suggest using a frame tang. That way you can use a slotted guard (like on a stick tang). With a full tang and handle the shape that you have shown you could also use a slotted single guard that is drilled & pinned.
The handle pins can be either glued or peened (or both) and the handle material may well determine which is best as some materials are more prone to cracking then others. If you are wanting to peen them as well as grind the pins flush then you will want to use a tapered reamer (or I will often drill partially through with a drill bit that is approx. .020" larger) in order for the pins to expand.
There are also some two piece handle screws available which work nicely if you are wanting a larger diameter pin like what you have shown in the picture. (Most will require the use of a step reamer.)
Gary
Hello Joshua. Gary is right on with this one. The best way to accomplish what you want is a frame handle. Where you have a tang like you would do for a hidden tang or mortised handle knife and then have a frame of some material around it. This allows you to have a regular slot in your guard material. You will have to pin the handle material to the frame and then can use pins to hold the assembly through the tang. You can go to the ABS website and then go to techniques in the right hand upper side. Click on masterclass in that drop down menu. Then go to the handles and guards section. There is a tutorial on frame handles by James Cook MS. Let us know how it goes and good luck.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Joshua:
This is the link to Master Smith JR Cook's tutorial that Brion referred you to, Click: "Frame Handles" .
Also this is a video on frame handles by Master Smith Steve Culver that is on the ABS YouTube Channel.
[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE3GavXWv3o [/media]
Dan Cassidy
Journeyman Smith
Send an email to Dan
Thanks,
Frame handles are a really interesting concept, but the process seems a little complex considering my very limited tool selection. I do not have access to a bandsaw or scrollsaw to cut out the frame. Perhaps I could forge it to shape. However, I may just go with the single, slotted guard for this piece to keep it simple. For the handle material I am considering using water buffalo horn. Would that material be prone to cracking?
~ Josh S.
Thanks Dan for the links. Joshua on water buffalo horn you have to be careful not to overheat it. If overheated it will crack and warp. So hand filing and very careful grinding is the way to go. Even drilling hole you have to go slow. It also does not smell great when working it. IT will take nice polish but can move depending on weather conditions. Other than that it is not a bad material.
Brion
Brion Tomberlin
Anvil Top Custom Knives
ABS Mastersmith
Thanks Brion,
I will keep all that in mind when working the horn. One last question (at least on this topic), what is the best way to achieve a clean fit between the guard and handle scales? On my previous knife, with a hidden tang, just crewing on the pommel pressed the handle and guard flush.
~Josh S.
