Advice on new blade wanted

[Hugo]

I am about to build my first knife using a blade from Art knives Mr Eklund. Like this one http://www.art-knives.com/shop/images/b_2.jpg

Whilst fitting the handle, the tang bends easily, is this the norm, or should I heat treat it so as it's hard.

 

[Everything Mac]

Does it spring back into position or does it just bend??


Heat treating the tang will result in messing about with the HT of the knife. So you'd have to re-do the whole thing.

If it just bends then I would recommend doing the brass rod test on the blade itself. particularly if it bends near the blade. http://www.caffreyknives.net/testingart.htm
- if the edge chips or bends then I suggest sending the blade back.


If the tang springs back then just leave it alone as it is fine.


That said - it is not uncommon for the tang to be left very soft as it had no need to be hard.
Some times the first inch or so of the tang near the blade is hardened. But as said there is no need for it to be hard so as long as the blade is okay then it will be fine IMO.


As ever pictures would help.

All the best

Andy

 

[Frederick89]

Maihkel sends blades to HT to a small specialized company near where he lives and weld the second part of the tang after he gets the blades back. The tangs have to be soft to absorbe stresses and, for my experience, on Maihkel's blades they bend and spring back.

 

[lannyman8]

as above if it springs back it should be fine, i HT the first half inch or so of my stick tang blades, this is so the HT line in not in direct line with any real pressure from battoning etc......

IMO this make the handle a little more robust, as it decreases the chance of it snaping......

just my thoughts....

regards..

chris.

 

[Shinken]

Even if it does not spring back it will be fine just as long as the 1st couple of inchs spring back. Probably the 1st inch would do

 

[Hugo]

Thanks for the advice guys.
It does not spring back it is quite soft, I'll test it closer to the blade later next week.