How do I cut a slot in a wood block for a knife handle?

[deltablade]

I want to add a handle to a kephart blade, yet the blade I have has a tang shorter than I prefer. So using 2 scales will leave gaps between them if I try to extend the wood handle past the knife tang. I have tried to cut a slot in a wood block and leave solid wood to the rear of the tang, yet so far my attemps using a table saw havent worked. The blade makes a semi circular cut at the back of the tang area, and I cant figure out how to get the back end of the cut to be vertical . Any suggestions?

 

[The Zieg]

I want to add a handle to a kephart blade, yet the blade I have has a tang shorter than I prefer. So using 2 scales will leave gaps between them if I try to extend the wood handle past the knife tang. I have tried to cut a slot in a wood block and leave solid wood to the rear of the tang, yet so far my attemps using a table saw havent worked. The blade makes a semi circular cut at the back of the tang area, and I cant figure out how to get the back end of the cut to be vertical . Any suggestions?

Drill shallow holes spaced closely together in the area you want to carve out and then remove the remaining wood with a sharp chisel.

Zieg

 

[tltt]

I remember seeing it done at a kitchen knife factory, they used a router table with a tiny bit, and then just cleaned up the slot a bit.

 

[Boattale]

hand saw will do it.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I want to add a handle to a kephart blade, yet the blade I have has a tang shorter than I prefer. So using 2 scales will leave gaps between them if I try to extend the wood handle past the knife tang. I have tried to cut a slot in a wood block and leave solid wood to the rear of the tang, yet so far my attemps using a table saw havent worked. The blade makes a semi circular cut at the back of the tang area, and I cant figure out how to get the back end of the cut to be vertical . Any suggestions?

Can you post pictures?

Also look up sandwiched knife handles.
There are ways of adding a liner, usually wood or micarta to create the length or width to a handle. It's a common way of doing partial tang handles. I've only done it once, but I was successful. If you want, I can dig up some pictures?

 

[EngrSorenson]

I’d plane a spacer with a hand plane the same thickness as the tang stock.

 

[eveled]

Have the blade set as high as possible to minimize the radius, flip the piece and cut it again. You will only have a small piece in the middle use a hand saw or file to clean it out.

 

[deltablade]

Can you post pictures?

Also look up sandwiched knife handles.
There are ways of adding a liner, usually wood or micarta to create the length or width to a handle. It's a common way of doing partial tang handles. I've only done it once, but I was successful. If you want, I can dig up some pictures?

I have done this before, yet this time am trying to use a single piece of wood.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

I have done this before, yet this time am trying to use a single piece of wood.

Doesn't Randall do a handle where the bottom is open?
I'm thinking the kerf is (could be) made lengthwise on a table saw....

Again, seeing pictures of what you want to do could help us give better suggestions

 

[Old Biker]

I want to add a handle to a kephart blade, yet the blade I have has a tang shorter than I prefer. So using 2 scales will leave gaps between them if I try to extend the wood handle past the knife tang. I have tried to cut a slot in a wood block and leave solid wood to the rear of the tang, yet so far my attemps using a table saw havent worked. The blade makes a semi circular cut at the back of the tang area, and I cant figure out how to get the back end of the cut to be vertical . Any suggestions?

There are several ways to do that. One would be use a band saw. Another would be to use a hand rip saw. Or you can make a three piece handle by ripping two scale pieces, and a third filler piece the thickness of the blade, and laminating them together like this.

If your tang is 3 inches or less you can turn the piece on end and run it through the table saw like this.

If doing it that way, you might want to consider using a piece that is longer and wider than needed. That will make it more stable going through the saw. Then rip to width and cut to length after you have the kerf cut into the piece.

O.B.

 

[deltablade]

Here is a commercial Russell butcher knife with a partial tang fitted to the handle as I would like to do with my Kephart blade. The handle covers the tang on the bottom of the handle, so somehow the manufacturer cut a slot partially throgh the handle, so that the wood covers the tang on the bottom of the handle. This is how I would like to install the handle on my kephart blade.

 

[EngrSorenson]

You

Here is a commercial Russell butcher knife with a partial tang fitted to the handle as I would like to do with my Kephart blade. The handle covers the tang on the bottom of the handle, so somehow the manufacturer cut a slot partially throgh the handle, so that the wood covers the tang on the bottom of the handle. This is how I would like to install the handle on my kephart blade.

A router bit is the way, probably.
A circular saw blade won’t do it.
You could try to find a very small chisel or make one.

 

[Ratatoskr]

Edited - Ima stay out of this one

 

[deltablade]

I think I am gonna do scales and laminate a piece in the gap. I guess the factory boys have a special machine to do it.