Shaping guards - how do you?

P

Plain ol Bill

Joined
Jan 24, 2001
Messages
501
OK - maybe someone has a better idea than the way I do things. How do you guys put the "finger" shape in the bottom of guards? Do you -

1. Shape it before you put it on?
2. Shape it w/ the handle on or off?
3. Inquiring minds want to know!
 
Most of the time I will shape mine along with the handle material on the knife.But when I have a collar or spacers that have been file worked or something like that ,Then it has to be shaped before the handle is set for the final time.
Bruce
 
Use the small wheel arm on your belt grinder.A 1/2 to 1 inch wheel works fine.You can pre-shape it before attaching the guard,and finish it after the handle is on,or do the whole thing off the blade.I usually do it on the knife and work the curve up into the handle to make a nicely fitted finger notch. If working on the knife ,don't let it get too hot or it will: A- unsolder the guard;B- unglue the guard and/or handle ;C-burn the handle/guard joint. A 1/2" or 3/4" slack belt often helps do the final curves.Just slice down a 2" belt and run slow.
Stacy
 
Hey Bill-

If it's a flowing guard, I do some of the rough work before glue-up, but then do a good deal afterward.

If it's a two piece guard/ferrule then that all goes out the window.

I can't use a small wheel to get the shape, curvature, flow I want.

I cut it in with files, and use a slack belt (J flex) rolled over on itself to clean up the curve. 90% is with files, the belt is just to help clean-up.... and then hand-sand.

I like it this way, so it must be the best ;)

Seriously though... it's a pain, but worth it in the end (IMHO) :)

-Nick-
 
I think he means the guards that are wider, more like a combined guard and bolster. The side nearest the blade sticks down like a regular guard, and then it flows into the handle, rather then a flatter guard with the handle stepped down.
 
Gotcha -- I was looking at my finger and was pretty confused. :D

If you don't have a small-wheel attachment, those little mandrels from Ace will work to help shape it.
 
It seems that I have been doing it pretty much the same way as everyone else. I was hoping for a new and revolutionary way to get a hated job done. Thanks guys - back to the small wheels, files, sandpaper ----------
 
I don't know if its cheating like using a cnc milling machine, but I knew a guy who made pretty good handles for his Bob Engnath blades. And he used an electric "die grinder". Its like a three times over beefed up version of Dremel. He had carbide cutters and just whittled or actually just waved in the curve of the finger..its so fast and straight foward it seems like cheating for that crappy job...you may have your answer! :D
 
Die grinders will cut fast.They will also take off big pieces of fingers if used wrong.Carbide bits+50,000RPM+ the wrong direction of cutting=serious injury.Don't use them unless you have been trained,and know what you are doing.(that is why die makers make such good money).Saying they are over grown dremmels is like saying a chain saw is an overgrown handsaw.
Just a warning - Stacy
 
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