How to Make a Hidden Tang Knife
by DV Customs in Workshop > Knives
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How to Make a Hidden Tang Knife
This instructable will teach you how to make a Hidden Tang knife on your own. It will walk you the process from start to finish. When completed, you will have a One of Kind, Hand Crafted Creation that you designed and made yourself.
With a hidden tang knife the tang goes through the center of the handle not to be seen. Opposed to a full tang knife whose tang is the actual size of the handle and you can see it all the way around the outside of the handle.
With a hidden tang knife the tang goes through the center of the handle not to be seen. Opposed to a full tang knife whose tang is the actual size of the handle and you can see it all the way around the outside of the handle.
Step 1
Get your plan organized.
You will have to decide on the type of knife that you would like to fit your needs. Do you want this knife to be collectible or functional? After deciding that, you will need to chose the size of the blade that you want and the type of handle that will be used. How many parts do you want to make your knife out of? Do you want to use spacers? You also want to keep in mind what price range you would like to stay in while making these decisions.
After your plan is put together and organized, you will want to sketch out a design of the handle that you want to make.
*Just a Reminder. Make sure all of your parts are finished and polished to your desire before assembly. This will save you much grief when your blade is attached*
You will have to decide on the type of knife that you would like to fit your needs. Do you want this knife to be collectible or functional? After deciding that, you will need to chose the size of the blade that you want and the type of handle that will be used. How many parts do you want to make your knife out of? Do you want to use spacers? You also want to keep in mind what price range you would like to stay in while making these decisions.
After your plan is put together and organized, you will want to sketch out a design of the handle that you want to make.
*Just a Reminder. Make sure all of your parts are finished and polished to your desire before assembly. This will save you much grief when your blade is attached*
Step 2
Building your dream knife is now about to begin...
You will begin with taking a threaded rod (I prefer 1/2" round) and cutting it down to your desired length. Depending on the size and shape of the knife tang, you will need to drill out the threaded rod.. In order to do this, you will need to drill a hole down the center of the length approximately 5/16" - 3/8" round and 2 1/2" - 3" deep. If dealing with a squared tang, it will have to be cut to the length size and sanded down to the thickness for a round hole.
You will begin with taking a threaded rod (I prefer 1/2" round) and cutting it down to your desired length. Depending on the size and shape of the knife tang, you will need to drill out the threaded rod.. In order to do this, you will need to drill a hole down the center of the length approximately 5/16" - 3/8" round and 2 1/2" - 3" deep. If dealing with a squared tang, it will have to be cut to the length size and sanded down to the thickness for a round hole.
Step 3
Making the Handle
Now that your threaded rod is cut and drilled, you will have to shape your material for the handle. Once you have your material lathed or sanded down to desired shape and size, you will have to drill and tap the material to fit the rod. If your material is in sections, spacers will be needed. The spacers can act as added length, weight, or appearance for a knife.
Now that your threaded rod is cut and drilled, you will have to shape your material for the handle. Once you have your material lathed or sanded down to desired shape and size, you will have to drill and tap the material to fit the rod. If your material is in sections, spacers will be needed. The spacers can act as added length, weight, or appearance for a knife.
Step 4
Making and Inserting Spacers
Spacers can be made out of most materials. After picking the desired material for your spacer, you will need to drill and tap the spacer to fit your threaded rod. Always remember that your spacer, must match the same diameter of the handle.
Spacers should be screwed on in between material. On one end of the material you will have a pomel, and one you will have a guard.
Spacers can be made out of most materials. After picking the desired material for your spacer, you will need to drill and tap the spacer to fit your threaded rod. Always remember that your spacer, must match the same diameter of the handle.
Spacers should be screwed on in between material. On one end of the material you will have a pomel, and one you will have a guard.
Step 5
Making A Pomel (the end piece of your knife)
Pomels, just like spacers, can be created from most materials. You will need to partially cut, drill, and tap the Pomel. Very similar to what was done with the spacers, but not going through the material 100%. (Try to get atleast 2 threads in a Pomel.)
Once the Pomel is to your liking, screw on your Pomel to the end of the rod.
*I have found it is easier, to take all the pieces off, put a small amount of apoxy on the last 2 threads of the rod, and work form from the Pomel forward (towards the guard). *
Pomels, just like spacers, can be created from most materials. You will need to partially cut, drill, and tap the Pomel. Very similar to what was done with the spacers, but not going through the material 100%. (Try to get atleast 2 threads in a Pomel.)
Once the Pomel is to your liking, screw on your Pomel to the end of the rod.
*I have found it is easier, to take all the pieces off, put a small amount of apoxy on the last 2 threads of the rod, and work form from the Pomel forward (towards the guard). *
Step 6
Making and Assembling your Guard (MUST BE PUT ON BEFORE HANDLE)
Guard must be cut to fit the tang securely you want to have the slot cut as small as possible to eliminate gaps showing. Place on tang next to the blade. Fill up the the hole of the threaded rod with apoxy (carefully) and then put the tang in. Make sure to fit the guard on tightly.
Now you can put your handle on.
Guard must be cut to fit the tang securely you want to have the slot cut as small as possible to eliminate gaps showing. Place on tang next to the blade. Fill up the the hole of the threaded rod with apoxy (carefully) and then put the tang in. Make sure to fit the guard on tightly.
Now you can put your handle on.
Step 7
Your Knife is Just About Done.
Allow the apoxy time to dry (depending on what time it calls for).
Once dry. Your knife is FINISHED.
I have been asked many times if I sell the knives I make.
The answer is yes I do, I have a store on eBay called Dragon's Venture.
All my knives are one of a kind, serial number listed, also photo recorded.
I also make custom order knives, stands, display cases.
My knives are 100% gaurateed, I also sell custom made parts for knives.
Allow the apoxy time to dry (depending on what time it calls for).
Once dry. Your knife is FINISHED.
I have been asked many times if I sell the knives I make.
The answer is yes I do, I have a store on eBay called Dragon's Venture.
All my knives are one of a kind, serial number listed, also photo recorded.
I also make custom order knives, stands, display cases.
My knives are 100% gaurateed, I also sell custom made parts for knives.