nubie question

[Mungo Park]

I now have the blade (full tang) brass guard ( well sort if a square thing with a slot in it ) and 3/8'' wood for the handle.
The guard is much bigger than the wood x2 plus the blade tang. Is it practical to file down the guard close but a little bit bigger and then attach the guard and wood and file the wood and brass together and sand. Other than useing a hard backing for the sandinpaper what else do I need to know?
Thanks Ron

 

[Kim Breed]

I try to get the guard as close to the final dementions as possible befors attaching the handle. If you grind off all the excess while expoxied the heat will soften it. A dremel tool or file to final shape then use 1/2 strips of sand paper to 400 then buff.