What type guard would be suitable on this Bowie?

[deltablade]

I got this Bowie thinking that a Turk's knot guard would be suitable on it. Yet when I slipped one on, it just didnt look right, either on the handle or ricasso. should I try a different type knot? or try adding a metal guard?

 

[Evan Mattherson]

I dont think a s style guard would look to bad on it...

 

[deltablade]

I dont think a s style guard would look to bad on it...

I am not sure I can drill thru the ricasso to pin a metal guard in place

 

[jideta]

brass
can you pull the scales?
Or you could add a bolster with lower finger guard

 

[deltablade]

I could replace the scales, yet since the ricasso is hardened steel, I dont kknow how I could anchor a metal guard there

 

[jideta]

You would have to solder it and place it right up against the edge and have the scales hold it in place.
I think bolster is the way to go. High speed drill made for hardened steel might work.
Another option is to redo the scales and form a finger/hand guard with the Micarta.

 

[deltablade]

I wonder if a ceramic bit would work? good idea on using micarta and redoing scales

 

[jideta]

I've even seen some hand guards done up in micarta, though I don't know how much I would trust that in a pinch. Maybe if they were on the thick side, say 1/4" or so that would work.
The ricasso there is fairly wide so you got some room to play with.

 

[Ebbtide]

The guard won't go on over the blade and you'd have to remove the scales to get in on from the handle end. Even then there is no shoulder on the tang for the guard to butt up against. Drilling hardened steel isn't much fun either...
The knife was designed to be guard less, leave it that way.

Come on man, you are a knife knut....
This is your excuse to buy another knife!

 

[deltablade]

amen to that

 

[deltablade]

Finnally got the turkshead knot tied. This may work as a guard when epoxyed on. what do you think? Tho the more I look at this, the more I think new micarta scales shaped with a guard would look better

 

[deltablade]

I tried a smaller size paracord, which does look better. what do you think? will this be solid if I epoxy the knot to the scales?

 

[Natlek]

I wonder if a ceramic bit would work? good idea on using micarta and redoing scales

To late , but yes ...............drill bits for ceramic would drill hardened steel , any steel .

 

[Natlek]

Finnally got the turkshead knot tied. This may work as a guard when epoxyed on. what do you think? Tho the more I look at this, the more I think new micarta scales shaped with a guard would look better

I like it ! Maybe two small pin in micarta from both side under knot would work +epoxy ?

 

[deltablade]

I used Clear coat resin, scrubbed in with a toothbrushn then squeezed gently with a toothbrush, 3-4 times. let it dry. then sanded the handle with 220 grit as it was too smooth and slick. Now the handile is nicely "grippy", and the guard seems stable. I am happy with it.