Interesting Guard Material Recommendations

[C_Kyle]

Anyone have any general recommendations for interesting guard or bolster material? I can't forge, so it has to be something I can grind to shape.

Thanks,

ck

 

[B. Davis knives]

416 ss, coper, brass or micarta ?
That is what I have used in the past.

 

[SDS]

Horn, bone, different kinds of metals obviously, micarta, G10.

SDS

 

[Johnny Warner]

Wrought Iron is another one not yet mentioned.

 

[childzplay]

I like 304 SS

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

Mokume or Damascus in a ladder or raindrop pattern.

 

[C_Kyle]

Thanks for the replies.

Wrought Iron sound interesting; in fact, I've been searching the internet for sources. Is there such a thing as wrought iron bar stock? I haven't been able to find anything yet.

Or, could I heat it up with an O/A torch and hammer it flat? What do you do with wrought to finish it?

 

[JasonByers]

Elliscustomknifeworks.com carries wrought iron.

 

[DAMNENG]

CK

Try taking a short section of cable (wire rope) degrease it and then flow brass or copper into the areas between the wires using an acetylene torch. Then work to shape.

You ask for different!

Jim Arbuckle

 

[12345678910]

http://www.usaknifemaker.com/store/wrought-iron-salvage-12-x-2-x-14-p-1284.html

Wrought Iron (Salvage) 12" x 2" x 1/4"
$10.00

 

[SDS]

Here's one with damascus.

The wrought iron I've seen used was etched with FC to finish it out. I have some but haven't used it yet. The salvage WI from USA Knifemaker is pretty rough so be aware of that before you order. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, just something to think about. I believe they have some other that isn't quite so rough. I haven't looked in awhile though.

SDS

 

[C_Kyle]

Wow. Thanks for the replies and info.

 

[hoyer]

Carbon fiber is really cool too

 

[Salem Straub]

How about monel metal? it has a little different color than SS, polishes nicely, and is super corrosion resistant as well as having better scratch resistance than nickel silver. It can be hard to work with though.

 

[L6steel]

How about an old coin, like maybe a silver dollar?
I've never done it but I bet it would look great on the right blade!!

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

A silver dollar is too big, how about a half-dollar? A nice, vintage half-dollar would like nice with a white handle and shiny 4" blade.

Even better, Chinese coin with a square hole in the middle.

Or a Euro