I am at a little bit of a stand still with a takedown knife on my bench...
The last TD I made, I threaded the tang and used a 10-32 rod coupling with a SS allen button head cap screw with a washer to use as a seat to the handle.
I can't say that say that it didn't work but it wasn't something I was that proud of.
I have looked around at several different designs and it seems like most makers are turning their own and even some making specialty tools for assembling?
This is really about a fit and finish test for myself, not to say that the knife will be disassembled that often.. but when it does I am looking for the consistency of everything coming back together and being aesthetically pleasing.
My question is:
What is the best way to accomplish this for a guy that plans on making a handful of TD's over the next few years?
By the way, I don't own a lathe... yet
Thank you,
Thaddeus
I have always turned them on a lathe then either filed flats or drilled a holes for a wrench/ pin. This has been my method for swords for years, and I do the same on knives as well.
I've used the female side of a corby bolt before. My particular one wasn't a true takedown, as I ground the head down flush after final assembly, but the concept is sound.
Thank you men!
I think the best thing for me right now will be to outsource a few of these until I can get a lathe...
Maybe a local machine shop or is there someone you could recommend?
Thanks again!
I will often use a 4-40 threaded steel clevis (generally used for radio controlled airplane/vehicles). These have a 1/16" pin. I drill a 1/16" hole in the tang, split the clevis pin into the hole....and the other end is a female 4-40 thread... then you can use a 4-40 screw, or once you get a lathe, make your own.
I like these because the allow for some slight movement when assembling a knife....making a good fit of all the parts much easier. Here's a Amazon link:
Although some might say that a 4-40 thread is too small to hold, it's not..... you will strip threads before the clevis gives out. I also "glue" everything together, so the clevis is there to hold things in place until the "glue" cures.
Ed Caffrey, ABS MS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
www.CaffreyKnives.net
