Decided to try my first tapered tang. I had never tried a tapered tang but have been wanting to try it so I made this small bird and trout / paring knife. Was actually expecting to have to scrap bin this knife but it turned out great. Will be doing this more often I like the look. This one is 7.5" overall with a 3.5" blade Buckshot pattern damascus steel with stabilized black ash burl handles. Thanks for looking StaySharp
I really like the tapered tang look and have done a couple that just barely show, partly for knife balance and partly to almost hide the taper so you really have to look at the knife to notice it.
Nice Jason. I like the pins are large in back and smaller in front. Did you use a jig to do the tapering? I've found the 4x36 works okay (slow and careful) for tapering by eye. Holding the blade with a magnet of course. Dan
I did it free hand on my 2x48. Held the blade with a magnet and just went back and forth till the taper went past the riccasso and was evendors on both sides. Was easier than I was expecting.
Where do you find the magnets powerful enough to hold the blades to the grinders? I've seen them on television but can't figure out what to look for online. I have a tough time holding small blades due to arthritis, figure this might help.
Princess Auto has the magnets in a variety of sizes and strengths. Just don't get the 200 lb one it is a nice size but removing the blade is a struggle, 100-150 should work well enough. http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=magnet
I use the 50 lb one. http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/50-lb-handled-magnet/A-p8158982e If it's too powerful it sucks the whole blade hard into the platen. Dan
+1 on Dan's suggestion to not use too powerful a magnet. It really surprises a guy when the magnet grabs the platen hard enough to pop a belt.
As usual, great information. I'll start with a 50lb. magnet. I see all kinds of them for sale on amazon... Thanks guys.
hey, has anybody ever used one of those right angle welding magnets to hold a knife blade for grinding? That way i get something i can use for two different jobs.... thanks guys.
Can't wait to have time to get back in the shop and try a tapered tang myself. Keeps rolling around in my head!
