How to Taper a Knife Tang: Step-by-Step for a Lighter, Symmetrical Blade

Looking to improve your knife builds with a professional touch? In this video, I demonstrate two effective methods for tapering a knife tang — a technique that not only lightens your blade but also adds balance and visual appeal. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced in knifemaking, this step-by-step guide will walk you through both approaches so you can decide which method works best for you. Learn how to achieve a lighter, and more symmetrical knife by mastering the taper. I’ll cover important tips on tang symmetry, tools you’ll need, and how tapering compares to drilling for weight reduction. If you make full tang custom knives, this video should help you with the process of tapering a tang. The American Bladesmith Society Website: https://www.americanbladesmith.org/ Framelock building playlist: https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PL3J5OXaYrzvTmfsS4J46JJjspcib1MlFj/videos Knifemaking Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3J5OXaYrzvSu9Y9O1VvqcTBrFlXcrB_1 Damascus making Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3J5OXaYrzvQmX2JoRJC710cppxj7Iq2T (Below are affiliate links to products that I get a small fee at no extra cost to the buyer) YesWelder welding machines https://yeswelder.com/?ref=qkvl6voq Use CODE: TONYSEVERIO at checkout for 10% OFF! Optical Center Punch https://amzn.to/3GSLGY6 8-9 Ounce Vegetable Tanned Leather https://amzn.to/4cBGq7j Weldwood Contact Cement https://amzn.to/4lyhx06 Brown Leather Dye https://amzn.to/3GexsRe Neats Foot Oil https://amzn.to/43Tgu4F Barrel Lap set https://amzn.to/4eY47Gx Digital Angle Finder https://amzn.to/3CFWJC9 #53 Carbide Drill Bit https://amzn.to/3ZbhqhW #54 Carbide Drill Bit https://amzn.to/3Z82u4i 1/16 inch 440C ball bearings for detent https://amzn.to/3ZbiZfO 1/16 inch ceramic ball bearings for detent https://amzn.to/48UAHaI Cutoff Wheel and Arbor https://amzn.to/4eoW0T5 5/16 Carbide Ball End Mill https://amzn.to/3AL24Hv Optical Center Punch https://amzn.to/40vS3Z8 5/64 carbide drill https://amzn.to/3AhnagC #44 carbide drill https://amzn.to/3YToY9b .166 counterbore https://amzn.to/4e2hAfS #13 (.185 inches) Carbide Drill https://amzn.to/4eVfyQ3 3/16 (.1875 inches) Carbide Reamer https://amzn.to/3UmDBPi 1/8 (.125 inches) Carbide Spotting Drill 9/64 (.14 inches) Carbide End Mill Reading and Instruction: Knife Engineering by Dr. Larrin Thomas: https://amzn.to/3SO7hlP BUILD YOUR OWN HYDRAULIC FORGING PRESS by Dr. James Baston: https://amzn.to/3fV86L1 THANKS to my Patrons! Dominic Kidwell Charles Apodaca Michael Hodges Jeff Schafer Mark Anderson Allan Williams Anderson Hand Forged Michael Baker Sonja Stevenson Jeremy Green Justin Goodman James Buck Jason Mulkey Richard Branton Robert Bryant Bruce Brissette Clint Hancox Joe Dees Steve Mowatt Dave Perry Dan Still Sam Daugherty Shane Wismeyer Robert Gore George C. James Murphy My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tonyseverioknives My Website: https://www.tonyseverioknives.com My Instagram: http://instagram.com/tonyseverioknives My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tonyseverioknives My TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@tonyseverioknives #knifemaking #taperedtang