want to learn how to taper a tang down and keep it flat.. royboy

I'll take some shots next time I do a tapered tang...

I profile the blade, drill, etc, then lay out parallel scribe lines along the tang just like you would for the edge. (I use an edge scribe from one of the supply houses, or a set of dial calipers) Lay out where you want your bolsters or scales to start. Your grind can't go any higher than that point. I hollow grind, staying in the center of the tang, careful to keep an angle parallel to the taper. You can grind a little deeper than the level your scales will be epoxied to, so bring the hollow out to the edges of the tang. The hollow will be filled with epoxy. Now whenyou grind your flats on the tang, the belt only has to grind the edges of the tang and remains much flatter for you. Pull your grind up to where your bolster or scales start. Drilling your scales are going to be a trick now (for those of you that have not experienced firsthand). I found an easy solution to this. I have a piece of channel iron, surface parralel to drill press table when sitting on it. Clamp one scale to the tang, tang facing up, scale down, under my drilling platform so that the top side of the tang is parallel (scale is not) to the surface. Drill the holes, reverse and drill the other scale. This way holes will line up across tang. I really need to get some shots of this. Hope you can follow it.

Great expanation Jason even without pictures and complete with how to install the scales! Frank.

If you drill your handle for pins/bolts before tapering tang,then after tapering you just affix the rough scale to the tang with 3-4 drops of super glue,and assuming the scale is flat,set it scale down on a flat surface under drill bit and drill straight down.It does'nt make a diff.,if the tang is tapered at this point as you are drilling at the same angle as original tang holes.After drilling,just rap the scale edge on a solid surface,I use the edge of my bench,and it will pop off.Repeat same for other side.I have been using this method for years and it works fine.BTW,after drilling each scale,trace outline of tang onto scale before knocking off.Hope this helps a little. Mike