Slotting Guard - A Tip

[Sando]

The latest Mill thread reminded me.

A few months ago I asked for suggestions on cutting the slots for full tang knives with very narrow blades. Finally got to it last week. I took the advice from Graymaker, combined it with some others and it worked great. Here's what I did for a set of 4 hidden tang steak knives:

* The blades were about .090". The guards were 1/4" thick.

* First drilled two 1/16" holes - one at each end of the slot.

* Used a 5/32" end mill (in the drill press) and attacked the backside of the guard between the slots. I removed the all but 1/16".(Thanks Dan!!! great idea).

* Marked a center line on the front

* Now I used a dremel cut-off wheel and connected the holes.

* Then a dremel burr to make to widen it.

* Finally used files to square it all up.

Dan, trick of making the guard in the working area thin was a life saver. Don't think I'd ever get thru this without it.

Thanks bud,

Steve

 

[Mike Hull]

Here's another tip.
Polish the front of the guard before doing any filing.
When you are ready to file, place the guard in the vise with the polished side facing you. When you start to file, the reason will become apparent. If you move the file one little bit from straight, it shows instantly in the reflection.

I didn't invent this, but read it somewhere years ago. Maybe Engnath.

 

[etp777]

Was just busy trying to figure out how to go about this(though not wit blades quite as thing), and dreading it. Still rather dread it, butthis should make it easier. Thanks

 

[Dan Gray]

Thanks Steve
it's an old Idea I'm sure.
that's a good one too mike.

also some times if you get a little wide and you need fill
you can peen the metal in then refinish the face
and re-file to fit, this can save you a lot of time.