guard or no guard?

T

tomdavis

Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
1
hello,

first post

i guess this question is for mr gossman, but i welcome any info...


what are your thoughts on having a guard?
do you include it on your personal knives?
does length of the blade matter when choosing?
as a woodsman's / 'survival' knife does the guard interfere with fine work?
as a woodsman's / 'survival' knife does the guard provide added protection that shouldn't be ignored?
how do you attach the guard? (maybe that is an inappropriate question, if so, i apologize)


i've been using my new six inch tusker for a little while now. great knife, mr gossman. my hatchet was a little dull... ran inside, got the tusker. very nice.
 
Last edited:
Hi Tom, welcome. To answer your question, these are simply my opinions. You will get many different answers from knife users and knifemakers. A guard will definately add protection when using a knife. It can get in the way but it all depends on what the knife is used for. The main purpose is to deter slippage onto the cutting edge. I personally don't prefer a guard on my knives. I did put one on my Tusker bowie mainly for looks. That's the only knife I've made for myself that has a guard. For hunting I definately prefer guardless. It's gets in the way when I gut and skin. I was able to skin the recent hog even when my hands were covered in grease. The knife never moved out of my grip. Handle material choice is a big factor. I always recommend canvas micarta when firm grip is a requirement.
I attached my guards by notching the bottom of the ricasso and pinning the guard at the center of the blade.
Hope that helps.
Scott
 
I will add to the fact that hog had a lot of fat. It was a Barr meaning the old family jewels were gone. Because of this he was fatter than a boar. That pig fat was just a slick as wheel bearing grease.
 
cddogfan1 said:
I will add to the fact that hog had a lot of fat. It was a Barr meaning the old family jewels were gone. Because of this he was fatter than a boar. That pig fat was just a slick as wheel bearing grease.
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth.
I would like to add that on the big Tusker, the first finger cutout I do is deep enough that a guard really isn't necessary. My guards are merely an extension of that finger cutout. When you get into knives at 1" wide, the cutout isn't as deep but the way I do them and shape the thicker scales, you hand locks in pretty good. Most accidents are caused from not paying attention when using the knife, rushing or if in a survival situation, panic.
Scott
 
I totally agree too that a guard adds to the appearance. Gives me a reason for using the milling machine.
Scott
 
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