Balancing small knives and thin stock.

I am having some trouble getting balance on my thin stock .100 and under mainly .050 stock short blades. I have tapered the tang on .078 but I think .050 tapered is really pushing the envelope.

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Hi,
Balancing as in not blade heavy or handle heavy balancing?
How many inches/cm/mm is a short blade ?
What handle material and how skinny ?
Tapered the tang to .078 but I think .050 tapered is pushing limit .. of thickness?
Does the blade portion of the blade have a distal taper? Does it mirror the tang taper in any way?
What is the hardest cutting the knife has to be able to do ?

volume * density = weight

any kind of 3d modeling program (ex blender3d, sketchup) ought to give you volume info


1.27 mm to 2.54 mm sounds fat for short blades of 0 to 4 inch , even to 6 inch
but I get that as the blades shrink in width they have to get thicker to remain stiff enough
and some want flexyness and others stiffyness

____
Thanks
I don't mow

Sub 3in,

they will be handle heavy, most are balancing neutral now without handles so with they will be slightly handle heavy,

Of my ability to taper them, thick stock grind is easy you have a couple chances to sort it out with .050 one slip and it all over. Some do some dont.

Light edc work.

I am not sure I follow .050-.100 sounds thick?

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Kyle

[youtu.be]

if you are experimenting you could look at some different lighter weight styles of handles.
I found this style really excellent for fine work, using it more like a stylus, and you can still get a really good grip for firm cuts
the scapel hybrid style can work well in those thin small blades.

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[data.gearbastion.com]
KnivesAndStuff (YoutTube)

you end up between a rock and a hard place. you make a very thin handle as in the video that doesn't work well for folks like me with big hands and stiff joints. or say heck with balance, make a larger handle that fits well. we are talking knives at 2 ounces or less, i don't think balance is that critical as opposed to fitting well in the hand
other ideas: use poplar or cedar for the handle. both are very light weight woods
use a large pin very close to the blade

scott
[www.etsy.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/07/2018 12:34PM by oldsailorsknives.

Ckc- I may try that.

I also thought as much until I made .098 stock balance people that have no interest in knives like the balance one more knowing nothing.

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Quote
KWB
Sub 3in,

they will be handle heavy, most are balancing neutral now without handles so with they will be slightly handle heavy,

Of my ability to taper them, thick stock grind is easy you have a couple chances to sort it out with .050 one slip and it all over. Some do some dont.

Light edc work.

Hi

If one slip removes too much material, use different grit or belt speed for tapering?
Or switch to balancing by drilling holes/skeletonizing?

although I also dont exactly see how balance is important on a sub 2 oz knife
esp a mystery knife

Quote
KWB
I am not sure I follow .050-.100 sounds thick?

Hi,
Sure , over 1mm sounds thick esp on sub 3in "light" edc blade
Just how stiff does a sub 3in blade need to be?
How much force you can generate with the handle?
Sustain for 5 cuts? 50 cuts? 500 cuts?
How much force would break the blade and what is acceptable?



Intended use decides blade length/width
Then desired stiffyness along with blade length/width should decides thickness
then you add thickness for any extra durability
..


Kinda follow now?

____
Thanks
I don't mow