First timer with a slotted guard question

W

WingedWheel

Joined
Nov 11, 2014
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3
I recently purchased my first knife "kit" and am trying to get everything in order before starting.

There is a slight gap between the blade and the slotted guard. It seems like a closer fit at the bottom and opens up toward the top, about 1/32 inch. Is this ok? Should I try to narrow the gap for a tighter fit at the top?

I was planning on soldering the brass guard. I'm not sure how to hold the guard onto the blade during the soldering process without using some sort of clamp over the guard (clamping it to the blade) or under the guard just to hold it up. Either way gives me a concern about interfering with the soldering process. Perhaps purchasing a Kant twist clamp? I only found one post about holding a guard on using plumbers putty but that sounds unfriendly to the lungs.

My other concern about the guard is there is no notch at the bottom of the blade for the guard to fit up in to. In my searching of several sites it seems every person fitting a u-shaped guard has some sort of notch. There is nothing in the instructions for this. My apologies for not using the proper terminology yet...still learning!

I don't think I can post a photo with my current subscription.

Thanks! Chad
 
Yes, get it to fit tighter. But still it's your first try. Plus, in those knife kits, many don't sell heat treated blades. DM
 
You can use a ball peen hammer to tap next to the slot where it is to wide to drive it closer.
After that you can flatten the face again by rubbing it on sandpaper glued on a flat surface (glass, stone etc) Moving it a figure-eight motion is a good way to keep it flat
 
The fit should be as tight and flat as you can get it. You can use a vise, shop press, hammer, etc. to close the gap at the wide end. Go easy. Make sure everything is square and that mating surfaces are as seamless as possible.
 
A large coil spring that fits over the tang and sits against the guard is how I maintain a firm seat while soldering the guard. Usually, I put a small clamp on the tang to keep the other end of the spring in place and provide just the little bit of pressure needed. Other times, I put the tang in a vise and let it back the spring.
 
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