forgot to notch the tang

[neil1967]

By now I've made a bunch of partial tang knives, and always, in the past, before epoxying the tang into the handle, have cut notches in the tang to safeguard against slippage, then put a pin through the handle material (which pierces the tang internally). I've never had any problem with this method at all. But, for whatever reason, on a partial tang knife I just glued the handle onto, I spaced on cutting the notches. I'm wondering if, with my pinning method, that will be enough to hold it, or do I have to grind off the handle and try again. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Neil

[fitzo]

Notches are nice, but it's sure not worth taking a handle apart as long as you pin it well.

[neil1967]

Thanks, Mike. Do you think two pins, in this case, would be better than one (or, do you just think it would make ME feel better? )

[fitzo]

Neil, I personally think that as long as you have the tang hole full of epoxy without air pockets, then a single pin will still have that knife serving generations to come long after you and I are gone. Japanese swords very often had only a single pin, and no adhesive whatsoever. Just my take on it. That said, your sense of comfort needs to be satisfied; so, if two pins make that better then go for that.

[Ray Rogers]

All my hidden tang knives have epoxy filled handles secured with one pin. Never had a handle failure on those and that includes a 20" blade on a short sword that I have intentionally been trying to break for the last 6 years ....

[DiamondG Knives]

I agree with Mike and Ray, one pin should hold fine.

As Mike said, most Japanese swords are pinned with a non metal peg that is tapered to give a friction fit in a slightly off center hole. I have seen swords that were hundreds of years old, that had no play what so ever, and were tight and solid. Most pins were non metalic, being wodden, or ivory. Although some were made of metal, the majority were not.

Set yourself at ease, a pin installed that goes thru the tang of your knife withe epoxie fill should be around much longer than you!!!

God Bless
Mike

[neil1967]

Thanks folks, I yanked and pulled and pushed before I pinned it and it wouldn't budge. Besides, being a slave to aesthetics, I just couldn't put two pins in a partial tang knife handle anyway. :-)

[alexkuzn]

Guys, how do you find where to drill handle?