shell guard

[G. Shahan]

I would like opinion's.

My wife say's this guard is to big for this knife.

Thanks, Greg

 

[argel55]

Looks good to me Greg.

 

[BenR.T.]

I like it Greg, nice hamon also!

 

[D lisch]

I think it is a good looking guard but it is hard to say if it is to big I would like to see it with the handle. what I think she wanted to say is that the blade looks a little short for that guard. but she may change her mind when she sees it with the handle.

 

[John White]

Greg,

That's a beautiful shell guard and hamon. As Dave suggests, if you balance out the blade with a handle that compliments it, you can have a real winner there.

Finish that baby up, and show us the final product.

John

 

[G. Shahan]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen,

Dave that is exactly her opinion. The blade is short for it's size (like me) but I have a lot of time in that guard. So much so that I was afraid that I was not looking at it honestly.
Being encouraged by knife makers that I look up to means a lot, thanks.

Greg

 

[parbajtor]

A straight barrel shaped handle would make that guard look too big IMO.
Something that starts a little slender and goes out into a flare would look good, maybe like this
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...in-Hudson-style-by-Dan-Farr?highlight=pinnock
or similar shapes to the don hanson, kyle royer, tom ferry knives on the first page of this thread,
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...g-CLOSED-Finalists-Selected?highlight=pinnock

 

[peterinct]

The hamon looks great and the guard does also, but without a handle, proportions are hard to judge.

Peter

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Like some said, the handle will make the guard fit this size or not. But in any case that is a gorgeous guard. Hot blued I presume?

 

[G. Shahan]

Thanks for the comments guys,

I agree that its hard to judge at this point but I was wanting some expert opinion before I went to far.
Patrice, it is hot blued.

Greg

 

[BRTATCK]

Greg, I was thinking along the same lines as John. Hard to judge without the handle. I think if you make a handle and spacer to compliment the great looking guard, it should be fine. Go ahead and finish it up, we want see. Beautiful guard and blade. Love that hamon.
Brion

 

[G. Shahan]

Thanks Brion,

Greg

 

[BRTATCK]

Jeez, I said thinking along the same lines as John. I paraphrased his reply. Been hanging around him too long. I can see what your wife is saying. I would suggest drawing out different handle designs, asking her opinion of course. Trace the blade and draw in the guard, then try different designs. Paraphrasing John again, it should be a winner.
Brion

 

[Justin King]

I would avoid making any final judgements until seeing it with the grip in place. The length of the guard and the size of the flared finials both look slightly exaggerated, but that can be a great stylistic element if you use it right. A grip that suggest the same flow of proportions, with a slender, waisted middle section and a exaggerated flare at the pommel might bring that all together nicely.

 

[Burl Source]

If all else fails, you could just make a bigger blade to go with the guard.
I know that is kind of backwards but the clamshell looks really good.

 

[Jeremy Barnard]

If all else fails, you could just make a bigger blade to go with the guard.
I know that is kind of backwards but the clamshell looks really good.

I was thinking the same thing.
I think it looks a tad big.