Source for thicker guard material

[silver_pilate]

I have some 416 ss in 1/4" thickness, but I'm looking for something more along the lines of 1/2" thick for shaped guards. Don't really have a preference to material type, though I'm not a huge fan of brass. Where do y'all get your thicker stock for guards? Also, is it just me, or would putting a stainless guard on a carbon steel blade seem weird? What do you think?

edited to add: now that I think more about it, I don't really guess the guard material matters too much. And it makes sense to have stainless where your hands will be constantly in contact.

Thanks!

--nathan

 

[Jim Adams Customs]

Nathan
Check with local metal suppliers or local machine shops. 416 is a common stainless. You should not have problem finding it.

 

[Gene Martin]

You can easily find 303 or 304 in most metal salvage yards.

Gene

 

[lel]

Nathan,
Some time ago I saw a knife WIP thread (here or on britishblades) where stainless steel about 1/4" thick was sandwiched with thin brass and soldered together to get a desired thickness. I guess you can solder just SS without any brass with a heat gun or torch using Stay-Brite solder. It would be nice to hear from those who tried this.

--
Sergiy

 

[Mossyhorn]

Try MSC Industrial Supply.

 

[Charles Vestal]

I purchased some 416ss in 1/2" from Sheffield's a couple years ago.

http://www.sheffieldsupply.com/

Take care
Charles

 

[chris609]

Also try mcmaster carr. http://www.mcmaster.com/#

 

[J. Doyle]

I purchased some 416ss in 1/2" from Sheffield's a couple years ago.

http://www.sheffieldsupply.com/

Take care
Charles

Same here. This is where I get mine. Stainless and non stainless up to half inch thick.