making a guard for a Bowie?

J

jtwodogs

Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
421
Was thinking of purchasing this Brass Barstock 3/4 x 1 x 12.
From Jantz and making my own guard.

HPIM0819_zpse35d8717.jpg
 
You can make a guard from scratch, but also look at the cast and stamped guard blanks offered. If you want more thickness than the pre-stamped 1/4" guards offer as a bolster (as in your sketch) , you can add some more 1/4" brass pieces with nickel spacers, and/or do reeding on them.
 
Ok, I roughed out one in paper, with the above dimensions. It looks like it may work?
What are some thoughts?
Thanks.
HPIM0820_zpscdb1132c.jpg
 
it all depends on the knife you'll use it on. But to me it looks good. Maybe round the corners a bit more if you like
 
A Bowie with a very simple and blocky guard like that can have a rather blah look, even if the knife has a nice blade. Tapering the guard toward the ends to make sleek and more football shaped is one method of curing the blahs. Even better is to make the guard a little longish and add some "S" or "C" curve. Other ways are to add a down "lug" sections as is popular on western Bowies. Short quillions also look good.


http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/product_info.php?products_id=510
http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/product_info.php?products_id=1544
And many more shapes here - http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=52_887

The above findings are what I was referring to in using a starter blank. A lot of the pre-shaping is done, and you don't have to buy a $30 bar of brass, nickel, or stainless for one guard. I keep a box with a variety of these for re-shaping into guards when needed.
 
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