Need help on thumbguard slot reamers and handle reamers?

S

soar

Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
107
Hi.

I was wondering if you could help me with some information.

My question(s) is/are what are the best tools to make the slot in the brass or other material that makes up the thumb guard?

I'm refering to the slot that slips over the handle to the hilt and is fixed there.

To date i've yet to see an adiquate tool for making any such slot.

Also a simular reamer tool for making solid wood handles for knives without cutting and regluing two pieces of wood.

Thank You.
 
Why don't you try this over on the Shop Forum, for a better response. This isn't my Forum so I can't do it for you. You might want to clarify your question too, are you referring to the guard between the handle and blade, and how to cut the slot?
 
I've done it two ways and there are others that will probably be shared here by those that have done them. You can drill a pilot and then go to files to hand work the slot. If you have a mill you can use an end mill. Even with an end mill some filing is sometimes required, I have found.

RL
 
If you're referring to the slot or rectangular hole in a guard that slips over the tang and against the ricasso, we have the answers! :D

The most common method is to drill a series of holes in a straight line, saw out the web between them with a jeweler's saw, and use small files to enlarge the hole until it will fit the dimensions of the tang exactly.

As for the hole in handle material, drill, "waller" the hole out with the drill, and fit more carefully with a saw blade created for the purpose. Some people actually make saws for this; I mounted a sabre saw blade in a wood handle and it works great.

Hope this helps, but don't worry other better ideas will follow! :D
 
Thanks DDlarsen, and Raranney

To answer all replies:

Yes Raranney I looked over the blade forums for a knife making subforum, The only one I found was Knife makers (comercial) forum.

Sorry if posting here has offended you.

DDLarsen. Thanks for the tip. That's precisely the way I'm doing it now.

Or should I say "was" doing it. I went out and bought a few metal reamers, from .08 to .12" (1/8").

I adapted a small guide on a router table with a good rubber grip clamp.

I simply scribe the desired pattern then drill a star hole bount the piece of ex. brass over the reamer and slowly slide the guide, and Voila! a very nice smooth and very accurate.

This reamer trick does work on a drill press. However as you can imagine it's not easy to mount an sliding clamp guide
on a small drill press table.

Raranney. Yes at the moment I'm doing the same thing for the solid wood handles. Using a 1/8" 12"long drill bit.
then using a small hacksaw blade I cut the inter sections of the drill holes. Then used a thicker saw blade. I use the
long saw blades from a an electric recipricating saw (not a jigsaw) fixed to a handle. Works fine but it takes forever.


Thanks again.
 
For "half guards" I just use a metal cuttin' wheel on the dremel. I cut it small, and file out the rest. I still leave it a little smaller and wedge it on with a vise. You can't get them off if you want too. :D
 
Originally posted by soar
...........

This reamer trick does work on a drill press. However as you can imagine it's not easy to mount an sliding clamp guide
on a small drill press table.
Click to expand...


Be careful doing milling on a drill press. The bearings aren't made for lateral pressure, and it will shorten their life considerably.:eek:
 
Originally posted by soar
To date i've yet to see an adiquate tool for making any such slot.

Thank You.
Click to expand...
it's called a milling machine :D I had to say that..you known
yes the mill and the other ways the guys are saying

I'm a lot of help aren't I? :D
 
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