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Writer's pictureGregBue

9 1/4 Inch OAL Elk Antler Hidden Tang Drop Point




I have recently decided to make a few knives that would not be out of place in the 1800's. Many of the knives from that period of time had a larger ricasso (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricasso) and the cutting edge of the blade was wider than the ricasso due to having the bevels hammer forged. A large percentage of these knives were made with hidden or through tangs, the actual reason for this varies depending on where and how you ask the question but the fact remains that hidden and through tangs were extremely prevalent in that era. The reasons for making a hidden of through tang versus a full tang vary and I have listed some of them below


1.) A hidden tang requires a lot less steel to create and allowed the smith to create more product with the steel he had on hand.

2.) Adhesives in the 1800's (and earlier) where questionable at best so knife handles were normally attached with mechanical methods. a full tang knife had to have multiple rivets where a hidden tang could get away with one and a through tang by simply peening the tang to the pummel or threading the tang as I have done on this knife.

3.) Artistic flare! Many hidden and through tang knives had intricately carved handles that were truly pieces of art, a lot of bladesmiths today still create works of art for knife handles (I'm not one of them), some knives were so intricately carved that using them would have been uncomfortable if not virtually impossible, these knives were viewed as status symbols by the aristocrats and the uber-wealthy that probably didn't even cut their own meat.

4.) It is easier to create a hidden or through tang with a hammer and anvil than it is to properly shape a full tang that is comfortable to use. This would reduce the amount of time required to make a knife and therefore would make the smith more profitable.

This particular knife is a Through Tang Drop Point belt knife with Elk Antler for handle material, a brass finger guard and a threaded brass pummel. The blade is just a hair over 4 1/2" so it wouldn't have been a combat knife, it would have been carried for the same reasons that a lot of people carry pocket knives today. Back in the 1800's carrying a knife wouldn't be considered out of the ordinary but in todays "SOCIETY" a lot of people look askance at folks that "Open Carry" a fixed blade knife. Well, depending on what state you live in many fixed blade knives are totally legal to open carry. I recommend that anyone that plans to open carry, in ANY state, check the laws for that state (https://www.akti.org/state-knife-laws/). That being said, I prefer carrying a fixed blade knife, and yes, I have one on my hip 99% of the time and it gets used multiple times every day. In my opinion, a fixed blade is more convenient to use, as well as being more comfortable for extended periods of use.


Drop Point Hunter

Overall Length = 9 1/4”

Blade = Length – 4 5/8” Length – 1 1/16” Width

Blade Style = Brushed Upswept Clip Point

Blade Material = 5/32” 1070 High Carbon Steel

Handle Material = Elk Antler with Brass Fingerguard, red fiber spacer and Brass threaded pummel

Hand- crafted leather sheath with a retention strap

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