WIP guard size question

[SVanderkolff]

This is the current project. The knife has an overall length of just over 14". The blade is Matt Walker striped damascus, the stripes are roughly 3/32 wide and run the full length of the blade. The guard is also the same damascus and the stripes run top to bottom. The guard is 2 3/4" tall and 1 3/8" wide. My question regards the guard size. It feels right and looks right but seems to me to be too wide. I have no idea how you would ever design a sheath for it. What are your thoughts. Too wide, or okay. Is there any type of standard guard width?
Thanks for your help.
Steve

 

[12345678910]

It does seem too wide,

I might have gone with a narrower ellipse, but that may change when the handles are on?


Maybe a Mexican Loop style sheath is suited to this type of bowie.

How about sending it to a good sheath maker and just tell him to do what he thinks is right?

 

[blindhogg]

Looks too wide to me also, but I would wait until you get some handles on it before narrowing it. You cant put it back if you change your mind.
CW

 

[R.H.Clark]

I would agree that it is too wide.I think about 1" is the max I would go but as already said you can put your handle on first.

It's not a problem for the sheath.I could make a drop loop or just concealment type sheath no problem. On a drop loop you just make the sandwich for the blade seperate from the back piece.Then you can put a couple wedge layers if needed for clearence between the sandwich and the back of the sheath.Difficult to explain.I hope I made sense.

 

[H0tR0d]

It might be too wide, but I think it kinda sets the knife off. Meaning, with a formed burl handle i believe it would melt right into the knife without a second thought.

 

[NickWheeler]

Steve- to my eye it's far too wide.

If you put Dykem on your guard face, then you can lay a piece of flat-stock (on edge) against your ricasso, use it as a gauge to scribe a line, then do the same on the other side to get an overall width reference.

For a knife like that, I would use 3/16" or 1/4" stock.

So even if you have a 0.250" thick ricasso (+0.250" on both sides), you'll be at 0.750" width MAX.

 

[NickWheeler]

Not that I know what the hell I'm doing... but here's an angle showing one that only extends about 0.190" from either side of the ricasso.... and this is a BIG knife.

Here's a couple more

 

[robloveday]

I agree with Nick. For a large knife I usually measure 3/16" out from each side of the ricasso. 0.75" is the max I ever use for a guard width.