OpenTube

The Best Way to Cut Hidden Tang Handle Slots?

Hathenbruck Steelworks

4,895 views

I've found a new (to me) way of easily cutting slots in hidden tang handle material. This has shaved hours off my handle prep. I hope it helps

Links to video specific items:

Wen brand Momentary Power Foot Switch
https://amzn.to/3uYFxBA
Freud 3/32" Router Bit:
https://amzn.to/3kSfGJg
Freud ⅛" Router bit
https://amzn.to/3YrGLR5
Makita Router
https://amzn.to/3SXDJmK
Makitia Plunge Attachment
https://amzn.to/41R7glP
Makita Plunge Router Kit
https://amzn.to/3yAnJhb

Links to equipment I commonly use in the shop:

Heavy Duty Momentary Power Foot Switch
https://amzn.to/3rChd66
Wen brand Momentary Power Foot Switch
https://amzn.to/3uYFxBA
Harbor Freight Maintained Power Foot Switch
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-m...
Harbor Freight Momentary Power Foot Switch
https://www.harborfreight.com/momenta...
EVISWIY 30 Bulb/6 Watt with Diffuser (My Choice)
https://amzn.to/3jDOnOp
Harmiey 36 Bulb/8 Watt
https://amzn.to/3jUy5Bb
Jen-Ken Vertical Airbath 21:
https://knifekilns.com/product/vertic...

This is an independent review—these were not gifted or sponsored. The links above contains an affiliate link of some items I use—if you click it and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which helps me continue to churn out helpful (I hope!) content.*

Questions? I am ready to help—comment below and I'll respond as soon as I can. While I have you here, please like and subscribe!

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14 Comments

@jeffreycarter1223 3 years ago

Absolutely genius, use what you have to the fullest. It’s not about the tools you need it’s about knowing how to use what you have.

@jeffgray5295 2 years ago

Great idea! Thanks for sharing. I love your casual, but informative format. Feels like I’m hanging out in a friend’s shop picking up tips.

@adelacour 3 years ago

That was really enlightening, it has given me a an alternative to struggling with drills and files. Thanks for sharing.
Andy UK

@jeffreycarter1223 3 years ago

The dark side of the shop is my favorite part. Makes my crappy shop seem lest crappy knowing everyone else has ghetto homemade areas

@stevesyncox9893 3 years ago

Cool idea. Thanks

@ClenioBuilder 3 years ago

👏👏👏👏👏🤜🤛

@andrewneilson227 3 years ago

This is genius. I’ll try this for sure. I want yo do hidden tang knives but I always botch the slot

@andyc750 3 years ago

great job on that one, a couple of useful tips there as well as usual, do like the use what you have way of doing things, very different to my hidden tang handles, but then I use wind dropped wood from the huge amount of local trees in keeping with keeping things traditional style, can't wait to see the finished knife, going to look awesome as usual I suspect

@brysonalden5414 3 years ago

Nice work-around! I suspect you still want a mill as much as I do, but this is a good way around that expense.

@lescargo1159 3 years ago

Well that's pretty interesting, im just not cozy with the fact you need a router, make a jig, setup everything.. but probably the fastest way to make it when you have a bunch to do.
I rarely do hidden tangs stuff, and i always struggle when it comes to that part. Using files to make the adjustement but it's never perfect.
If i have to do it again i would make a thiner wood guard, maybe 8 mm thick. marking the slot with razor blade, drill 2 holes in it and then use a mini wood chisel to cut a perfect fitting.
Doing it same way you do inlaying. + using hand tools like wood chisel is super fun. But definitly not the fastest way :D

@HobHob-vu4un 3 years ago

Very cool I am also a beginner blacksmith and love the copper Damascus edc knives

@timhorton555 2 years ago

I'm sorry. I got a cross slide vice and an end mill bit for the drill press. As long as the rpms are high and you don't push in too far and proceed gently, it won't bother the drill. Or get a cheap drill press for the job.