Tapered Tang Handle Drilling Jig

[Mark Behnke]

This a copy of Nick Wheelers design.

I taper tangs a lot so this is going to be used a lot, I might finish the 3 hunters sitting on the bench for over a year.

I used what I had, except for the socket head screws all 1/4"-20.

 

[Dwane Oliver]

Hmm , pretty cool , I guess everyone has a different way of doing things.

good job

D

 

[Bruce Bump]

Thats a nice tool. Certainly is sturdy, I'll bet it works like a champ too.

 

[Stew]

Looks good.

Are both hex nuts in contact with the handle block? In your pics it looks like just hte rear one is in contact?

 

[Mark Behnke]

Thanks Dwane

Bruce, Thanks, I'll test it soon, may have to build a garage for it.

Stew Here's a few more pics w/different knife.

 

[DonL]

I got a silly question. Never made a tapered tang knife so....here goes. Couldn't you drill the holes before tapering the tang so you wouldn't have to use a jig like this?

 

[Mark Behnke]

Hi Don,
You are right that's the first step.
When it's time to drill for the handle scales you need a way to keep the holes perpendicular to the center of the tang.

 

[Stew]

Thanks for the extra pictures Mark.