Guard/leather handle ?

[Joe Remski]

Hi guys, this is a newbie question so bear with me.
I'm going to rehandle a Western stiletto(leathers gone). I will need to make a new guard. I can't figure out which end the guard is put on from. Do you epoxy the guard in place? or a spot of weld or what?

Also both ends of the original knife had plastic spacers butt and guard ends. Are these used to help with fitting the leather to the piece? Seems plastic would be easier to shape than leather so close to a guard or butt.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[cjensema]

Put the guard on from the butt, pin it in place and silver soldier it to seal the joint. Don't try to epoxy the guard on. The spacers are not absolutely necessary, but they look nice and are a little easier to shape to the butt and guard fittings.