New found respect

[winmagfrog]

I spent several hours last night trying to fit a guard to a hidden tang knife last night.... Wow, that's not even close to easy. I bought a pre-slotted guard, but it is slotted at .125, and my tang is right at .28. Trying to open that slot up uniformly is kicking my butt. I think it may be easier to grind the tang down!

So, to all you guys that make knives with beautifully fitted guards- Respect. I always overlooked that detail on knives before I tried it myself, not anymore.

 

[Steinerj]

Yeah a couple of weeks ago I spent over 5 hours shaping and slotting my first guard but it was nice to get it to a point where it "locked in" onto the tang. Well worth the time and effort.

 

[L6steel]

Keep at it Winmag, it's a pib but you'll be happy with the results!
Be sure to post pictures of the knife when it's done!!!

 

[deker]

I usually get them to the point where they slide all but the last 1/4" or so down and then clamp the ricasso in a vise (with soft jaws) and knock the guard down the rest of the way with a hammer and a slotted piece of hardwood. Knock it on and off a few times and you'll have a nice press-fit.

-d

 

[SDS]

If you are using hand files you may try clamping the guard in a vice with the jaw of the vice lined up where you want the inside edge of the opening. Then you can just file down to the vice jaw (which should be hardened) and that should help you get the straight, uniform edge you mentioned.

SDS

 

[LRB]

One secret is to taper the tang to a point of having about half the guard thickness to final fit. Another is to mirror polish the blade side of the guard, Then you see a reflection of the file in the guard, and you keep the reflection straight inline with your file. You also must have the tang shoulders dead flat, and dead inline, one side to the other, by the use of a file guide. It is well worth the time it takes, as you avoid cleanup, and they just look better without solder, or other fillers.

 

[ddavelarsen]

Ain't this the truth! You really learn to appreciate other maker's skills when you know what goes into that perfect fit. I think 5 hours is about right for getting a good fit for me too. Since most of my guards are 416, I've found that hammering them down for the final fit isn't really a good option. At least, not until I have it almost perfect anyway. What I hate is wallowing out the sides before I have the ends of the slots fitting right... Then it's time to start over! For what it's worth, I always coat the inside of the slot with JB Weld to seal out moisture. A good fit will allow enough cleanup you'd never know it's there.