Threaded & bolted hidden tang tips?

Hi,

I have a question regarding the technique which consists in threading the tang and bolting it to the handles: how do you fit the buttplate afterward? Do you countersink the hole in the butt of the handle to hide the bolt?

I realize that's a pretty basic question, but I'm really puzzled...

Thanks,

JD

Joss,

When I build a hidden tang I usually weld a piece of 1/4" allthread to the blade (behind the guard) for a tang. Drill & tap the butt cap. This way you can shape the butt cap and handle at the same time after assembly.

Gary

...or you can braze a nut to the butt cap material.

I usually grind the nut so that it is round and fits better into the handle.

Mike

On big or heavy duty knives that's the way I do it, split a bolt and silver braze on tang, then silver braze a nut to butcap.

On small light duty knives, skinners and such, I sometimes silver braze a wood screw to the but cap.

You also can split a bolt or allthread and pin it to the tange, just use steel for pinning material.

If the knife is going to used hard, ie. hammering on butcap, useing butcap as hammer, the brazed nut and bolt methode is the way to go for maximum strenght.

btw, if you silver braze brass, be carfull, there is not much differnce in the melting temps of brass and nickle silver. I have ruined several butcaps when my attention wavered slightly.

I've welded, brazed and silver soldered, with no problems from any of the three.......yet......