Bronze handguard?

R

rincan

Joined
Aug 20, 2014
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I am looking for something different to make a handguard out of for a larger fixed blade and was thinking of bronze. Does anyone know how this would fare? Is it an ok idea or should i keep looking? If it is something that would work for a handguard does anyone have any tips for working with it?

Thanks in advance for the help!
ryan
 
I've never worked with bronze, but I understand there are different types. I'm sure someone who has worked with it (and yes, it's a fairly common guard material) can add more details.
 
I work with bronze all the time as a guard (and pommel). It's easy to work with compared to steel...so if you ground your own blade, the bronze is much easier (about the same as brass).

Most of my work is investment cast bronze made from custom sculptures (wax casts)...that fit the blade pretty nice. But I still have to use a file for final fit.

I polish the bronze using 3M Roloc pads on a die grinder. Then I apply cold/hot patina solutions (birchwood casey brand)...lots of choices. I'll then highlight the piece by buffing with #0000 steel wool, then apply a little neutral shoe polish wax to help protect it. Sometimes, I don't apply the wax, and let the piece naturally age and patina...you can always buff it out again. I really like how it ages and changes color....that's the look I go for.
 
I have induced some fine patinas on bronze and brass gun parts with Liver of sulphur.
You suspend the part over some water in which you dropped a small piece of liver of sulphur and then cover the whole thing until the fumes have given you the desired depth of patina. If you decide to go that way, let me know I will send you a couple of small chunks. It does not take much.
 
savagesword said:
I work with bronze all the time as a guard (and pommel). It's easy to work with compared to steel...so if you ground your own blade, the bronze is much easier (about the same as brass).

Most of my work is investment cast bronze made from custom sculptures (wax casts)...that fit the blade pretty nice. But I still have to use a file for final fit.

I polish the bronze using 3M Roloc pads on a die grinder. Then I apply cold/hot patina solutions (birchwood casey brand)...lots of choices. I'll then highlight the piece by buffing with #0000 steel wool, then apply a little neutral shoe polish wax to help protect it. Sometimes, I don't apply the wax, and let the piece naturally age and patina...you can always buff it out again. I really like how it ages and changes color....that's the look I go for.
Click to expand...

Where do you get your bronze, and what type should I look for/ I've heard silicon/silicate bronze? Lol. shows what I know about it, huh?
 
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