To trim a guard or not trim a guard?

NCSlice

NCSlice

Joined
Feb 22, 2015
Messages
3,599
I've seen and read a lot about trimming guards and adding gimping for more control on fine work and most folks don't plan on many or any knife fights.
This leads me to my dilemma, after recently sanding off the coating of my 1246 Camp Knife, its taken on a whole new look. I had all intentions of including a guard trim and gimping but it looks really cool with the coating off and the guard really stands out making it look like a dagger.


For now I'm going to leave it since I can't put it back on lol.
How many of you trim your guards?
What's your opinions on the subject?
Please provide pics of your trim :D
 
I thought about trimming the guard on my 1217, but eventually decided against it (I don't have the greatest tool setup yet, apartment living has its downsides :/).

If I was going to do it, I'd do it like they did on the MK1. The guard is still there, if only just barely. Its also contoured and smoothed just like the bottom guard, so it looks just right.

Like this one.

IMG_39262.jpg
 
I trimmed the guard on my 1217 once. It looked weird.

I got one of the D2 Extremes.....it looks good.

That camp knife would look good without the top guard.

I think I'm gonna get one of those Camps again....kinda miss it. It's big Bro the cutlass machete is a beast though...

Moose
 
NCSlice, before you start grinding, you could do a little bit of photo-editing to see if you're going to like the look. Frankly, I think it looks pretty good as is.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Too bad nobody has a pic of one chopped. I'll do my own photo chop as I have no patience for my laggy PC. I'll black tape the guard and take a crappy cell phone pick on black background and post it for review.

I do agree by making it the same on both sides. I'd prob leave about 1/8" just enough to get my thumb over comfortably. I'm pretty ok with a dremmel and think I can pull it off.
 
NCSlice said:
Thanks for the input guys. Too bad nobody has a pic of one chopped. I'll do my own photo chop as I have no patience for my laggy PC. I'll black tape the guard and take a crappy cell phone pick on black background and post it for review.

I do agree by making it the same on both sides. I'd prob leave about 1/8" just enough to get my thumb over comfortably. I'm pretty ok with a dremmel and think I can pull it off.
Click to expand...

Naw, leave the interior guard on. It would look teh awesomez......

Moose
 
Moosez45 said:
Naw, leave the interior guard on. It would look teh awesomez......

Moose
Click to expand...

Oh no, I wouldn't touch that. I meant in terms of the curve and corners as opposed to just chopping it straight across and softening the edges.
I can see how it came off that way
 
Be sure to check the link above at Iwouldhurtafly's mod. of whom i credited as the inspiration for this. That sh!t is tight!
 
NCSlice said:
....snip....
I do agree by making it the same on both sides. I'd prob leave about 1/8" just enough to get my thumb over comfortably. I'm pretty ok with a dremmel and think I can pull it off.
Click to expand...

I'm with Moose...

My recommendation would be to take how ever much off the spine guard as you want. I can take anything from 0" to 1.5" for a spine guard, depending on the rest of the knife. BUT..... for the edge guard?? I like AT LEAST 0.5" or more. An edge guard protects you from self-cuts when your hand is damp (sweat, blood, guts, etc) OR if you have to stab "whatever", be it defending against an animal attack or skillfully dispatching that bag of grain/flour/dog food/concrete mix/salt pellets.

Regardless of the handle material and conformation, a hand can and will slip forward under the right (or wrong) conditions. A 0.125" edge guard would be about as useful as teats on a boar hog.

The original Bowie knife of James "Jim" Bowie used in the "Sand Bar Fight" of 1827 had a "small" guard, i.e., half-guard on it, per Rezin Bowie, Jims's brother, who had the knife made for Jim. Jim preferred knives with half guards after he reportedly cut himself badly when his hand slipped on a bloody handle while cleaning a rabbit. What was good enough for Jim is good in my books.

edit- I see you cleared that up while I was typing. Knew I should let that phone call go to the machine. :D
 
Do it. Post up pics.....

Moose

ETA..........Aaaaaarggggghhhhhh The place that had a small stock of the original camp knife is now SOLD OUT.......grrrrrrr
 
zzyzzogeton said:
I'm with Moose...

My recommendation would be to take how ever much off the spine guard as you want. I can take anything from 0" to 1.5" for a spine guard, depending on the rest of the knife. BUT..... for the edge guard?? I like AT LEAST 0.5" or more. An edge guard protects you from self-cuts when your hand is damp (sweat, blood, guts, etc) OR if you have to stab "whatever", be it defending against an animal attack or skillfully dispatching that bag of grain/flour/dog food/concrete mix/salt pellets.

Regardless of the handle material and conformation, a hand can and will slip forward under the right (or wrong) conditions. A 0.125" edge guard would be about as useful as teats on a boar hog.

The original Bowie knife of James "Jim" Bowie used in the "Sand Bar Fight" of 1827 had a "small" guard, i.e., half-guard on it, per Rezin Bowie, Jims's brother, who had the knife made for Jim. Jim preferred knives with half guards after he reportedly cut himself badly when his hand slipped on a bloody handle while cleaning a rabbit. What was good enough for Jim is good in my books.
Click to expand...

I *think* he was talking about making the top and the bottom "look" the same, not be the same length. I could be wrong there.

I agree with you though. I'm not above saying that I want lower guards on all of my knives. I am pretty confident in my knife handling abilities when I'm mentally/physically all there, but once you get tired, cold, etc, I want that extra precaution of a guard. I'd rather feel slightly less masculine than have to re-attach my tendons on all my fingers :/.
 
My intention is for the top guard only. I really appreciate everyone's input. In the future anyone reading this can take note of all your information and opinions regarding the bottom guard as well. All of that is important info from the experienced to the uninformed or inexperienced so I think that info is of importance, I'm glad it's here.
 
Someone actually had stock? I searched high and low and never found anything. Lost 2 auctions that I waited and waited to pop up then finally got this one and it wasn't "like new".
 
Less expensive than earthen clay.....

Moose
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top