Pommel Guard Question

[unky_gumbi]

I have a full tang bowie on the drawing table, and the plan is to do the guard and pommel out of the same steel, 5160, as the blade. Should I get these parts hardened or leave them in their annealed state? I will be going for a mirror polish on all the steel if that makes a difference.

Thanks
George

 

[SBuzek]

I harden mine it helps resist scratches and rust down the road.Get them about 90% and then H/T and temper.I even do this when using SS out of the same material as the blade.
Stan

 

[unky_gumbi]

Ok that is what I was thinking the benefit of hardening them would be. This is going to be the first knife off the new grinder once the VFD gets here and I burn through a bunch of paint stir sticks

Yet another one pre sold, and I was given the freedom to finish it the way I want. His only requirement was a 6" bowie style blade and full tang.

 

[SBuzek]

Cool,have fun with your new toy.And paint sticks are great learning tools.Once you can grind a nice blade out of sticks metals no problem.
Stan