how can you fit a guard on a narrow tang knife

chknifemaker

chknifemaker

Joined
Jun 30, 2013
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207
I only have a drill press a vise and files to fit guards and was wondering what the best way to fit one is?
For information sake I like 3\4''thick stock in stainless steel and brass.
Thanks
 
Those are all the tools you need. I'm sure there are more magical ways to do it with more tools like a mill, and other things. But I take my piece of stock for the guard, mark where the tang is going to be, and drill out the slot. I use a bit that is undersized from the stock one size, and try to get the holes as close together as possible. Then I take a Dremel and cut out the "web" of steel left between the holes. I then file to fit. Go slow with the filing, and in general there is no need to fit the bottom of the guard (handle side) as tight as the top side. I'm sure others will be along with better advice, but you have the tools you need. Hope that helped.

Sam
 
Like Sam said, roughly, with one major addition. Drill a row of holes slightly undersize to your ricasso thickness. Then, take a bigger bit (I use a 1/4 fairly often) and drill all the same holes from the back side of the guard all the way down to about 1/16 short of the front. It's the mill-less version of relieving the slot. Makes it much easier to fit, as you're only removing 1/16 of material to fit the guard face, regardless of how thick your guard stock is. Make sure your ricasso shoulders are square then press fit the guard. If your shoulders are square and the fit is tight, your guard will be square.
 
Jason Fry said:
Like Sam said, roughly, with one major addition. Drill a row of holes slightly undersize to your ricasso thickness. Then, take a bigger bit (I use a 1/4 fairly often) and drill all the same holes from the back side of the guard all the way down to about 1/16 short of the front. It's the mill-less version of relieving the slot. Makes it much easier to fit, as you're only removing 1/16 of material to fit the guard face, regardless of how thick your guard stock is. Make sure your ricasso shoulders are square then press fit the guard. If your shoulders are square and the fit is tight, your guard will be square.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea about the 1/4" bit. I will use that, thank you.

Sam
 
Yes, Jason's advice is excellent, especially with a 3/4" thick stainless guard...:)
(why in the heck would you want the guard to be that thick?)
I drill only 2 holes, then remove the material between them with a jeweler's saw, and rough out the backside if the guard is thicker than 1/8". Having the thickness and width of the tang taper slightly helps tremendously. Take your time, there is great pride in getting a perfect fit....
 
Jason Fry said:
Like Sam said, roughly, with one major addition. Drill a row of holes slightly undersize to your ricasso thickness. Then, take a bigger bit (I use a 1/4 fairly often) and drill all the same holes from the back side of the guard all the way down to about 1/16 short of the front. It's the mill-less version of relieving the slot. Makes it much easier to fit, as you're only removing 1/16 of material to fit the guard face, regardless of how thick your guard stock is. Make sure your ricasso shoulders are square then press fit the guard. If your shoulders are square and the fit is tight, your guard will be square.
Click to expand...

Bang!!! that is a gold bomb for us poor mill-less fellows....THANK YOU!!!! :)
 
I don't know anything I didn't learn from somebody else. Thank Harvey Dean for that one :) And yes, it's a game changer. Made a HUGE difference in my guard fits. Next thing you'll want is a file guide :)
 
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