To clean up excess solder around the guard joint try this. take a 1\8 piece of brass rod cut about 1 inch off the end sharpen one end of the piece like a flat graver. About 1\16 wide. put it in a dremel electric engraver turn it on and hold the sharp end against the solder and it just peels it right off.Doesn't scratch the knife.
Take Care
TJ
Take Care
TJ