Tang help (Blademakers, please)

[MacWage]

I am thinking of making some custom skene dubhs and, maybe, a dirk.

What I need to know are the ways of decently securing the handle to the tang of the blade.

Atlanta Cutlery ones have a screw, so that one is easy (but needs a covering at the end to hide the nut or have a decorative, screw-on pommel.

What about ones that are just rectangular (cross-sectioned) metal?

Thanks for any help,

[neo71665]

Epoxy

[cwr89]

I am pretty sure for the ones that are flat rectangular metal, you just gouge out where it sits, and then glue it in. but use some epoxy, and the slower the epoxy (setting time) the better.

also, on the tangs with threads, I really recommend not using a nut, but using a pommel that has been tapped, the nut will actually help the pommel right off after enough wear. (I had this happen to a hand and a half broad sword)

good luck!
~Casey

~Casey

[Sean_the_Kilted]

I've read about the infamous epoxy on many threads on here. Are there online sources and/or does any of the other germany guys know what its called and/or where to get some?

[Panache]

Sean,

Two part epoxy should be available at any hardware store with the rest of the glues and adhesives. There are many brands. Generally speaking, the ones that take longer to set have a stronger bond. The are noticeable
for having a double chambered syringe. When you push down the plunger the two parts are released in equal ammounts and ready for mixing.

I have made 2 dirks, 2 sgian dubhs, and a lot of "sgian don'ts" (not to mention countless repairs to my children's toys) and can't say enough good things about the stuff.

Cheers

Jamie

[PiobBear]

The rod-shaped tangs can be threaded to take a decorative pommel nut; do a web search for knifemaking supplies. Round balls (over a pommel) are common for dirks. an older style was to peen the tang over a square nut. With either method, you might need to draw the temper from that end of the tang beforehand. Setting the tang in the hilt with epoxy isn't bad insurance. Sgian dubh's can simply be epoxied into place with the tang in a blind hole; it doesn't go all the way through to the pommel; so no nut needed. If you can thread it, the teeth will help bind it to the epoxy.
Flat tangs are often meant to have 2-peice hilts, called scales, applied with rivets. If the tang doesn't show, it's set into rabbets cut in the scales before they're fixed to the tang. Again, epoxy isn't a bad idea.

[Oldhiker]

Being a new guy to this stuff.

how do you pronounce "Sgian dubh"? I get corrected a lot on other gaelic words... slowly learning.

thanks for the help

[jordanjm]

I have been told to pronounce "Sgian Dubh" as "Skein Doo."

[Rab Gordon]

Epoxy works just fine

Rab

[cwr89]

I have built a boat using System Three brand epoxy and I love them. Just be sure you get AT LEAST a 24-hour setting epoxy, the faster the epoxy dries, the less strong, and the less water-resistant, as well as the longer lasting.