Attching A Stainless Guard??

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
What is the best way to attach a stainless guard to a stainless blade?? I have one of those little wire feed welders and could weld it on, but I'm not sure how that would hold up or look after heat treat. Thanks and take care!! Michael

------------------
"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
I have heard of some people welding the guard on before heat treat but I don't know enough about welding.
In my case I would get a tight fit and pin it after HT. Soldering stainless to stainless is a pain though.
mad.gif


------------------
If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon
 
L6steel, It is possible to weld your guards on, but your wire machine will not work on the stainless unless you use stainless wire, which is very expensive and takes alot of practice to get a nice bead. On the other side of welding, you could stick weld your guards as long as you use the same stainless rod as your guard. Once again it takes practice to get a nice bead with stainless. If you try welding, make sure you cover your blade and anything else you don't want buckshot on because stainless spatters pretty bad. Next, make sure your work is clean. Stainless has a habit of getting porosity that is not visible until you grind. I have welded stainless guards twice and got pretty good results. I usually braze brass guards, but even with lots of practice, I sometimes get bad results. Today I started brazing a guard on and the guard started burning up! I guess it had some major impurities in it. I have yet to try soldering stainless guards, so I can't say how that works or even if it works. maybe someone can clue me in there. Just go for it!
 
L6;
Check your mail,I fowarded you a reply I recived from Steve Johnson when I Asked him the same Question

Take Care
Charles
 
Silver solder if you want. It takes a little more effort than brass or nickel silver but it is a good joint.

C Wilkins
 
L6, when I solder a stainless guard onto a stainless blade, I score the area of the ricasso(where the guard will cover) and inside the slot of the guard with a Dremel cut off blade. That gives the solder a good anchor point on each surface.

------------------
Jake Evans,War Chief of the Terrible Ironic HORDE, Wielder of the Mighty Blade SOUL STEALER
 
Thanks for the help Forumites!!! Jake, great tip!!!!!!! I have never heard that one. I guess I'll stick to soldering, especially now that I know Kit Carson's method. No sense making it tougher than it is. Take care and God Bless! MIchael

------------------
"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top