bending layered & soldered metal ?

[john april]

hi. i wanted to try making a 3 layer guard for a hidden tang knife . something like an oreo cookie with 1/8" brass center, and .050 nickel on the outsides soldered to the brass. if i want to make curves / bends in the guard after soldering ( planning on using low temp sta brite) will it all behave like one piece or am i risking delamination/peeling/splitting of the layers? thanks for any info

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

It will come apart.

You can use 1200F silver brazing ( hard solder) and it will be more like a solid bar of metal.

The other method is to make a bending die ( shaped metal form to bend in/on) and bend each piece individually. Fit them snug and then solder together. I would still recommend using hard solder.

 

[john april]

thank you stacy. i have some of the hi temp easy silver stuff, i will use that instead. nice to meet you over the weekend.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Same here.