Lodestone25 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Hi everyone, I recently carved and fitted a cherry handle on my first O1 steel forged blade. I'm really happy with how everything is turning out so far, but I am stumped at how to transition nicely from the handle to the blade. As you can see in the pictures, I left space for some kind of guard or shim or filler or something, but I'm at at a loss at what to do at this point. I thought I'd post pics and see if any of you experts had some suggestions. Thanks in advance for your input fellas! Lodestone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 If the handle is epoxied in place enjoy it like it is. The guard has to go on before the handle material.How that all goes together is 'splained better than I am willing to type in here in most of the how to do it knife books. It is also in the catalog from at least one knife making supply house. K and G. Fitting a guard really starts in the design phase of blade makeing. Plan ahead for a guard and it is not a big challenge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lodestone25 Posted December 13, 2011 Author Share Posted December 13, 2011 If the handle is epoxied in place enjoy it like it is. The guard has to go on before the handle material.How that all goes together is 'splained better than I am willing to type in here in most of the how to do it knife books. It is also in the catalog from at least one knife making supply house. K and G. Fitting a guard really starts in the design phase of blade makeing. Plan ahead for a guard and it is not a big challenge. Hi Rich, thanks for the quick reply. I haven't actually epoxied or pinned yet, the handle is just snugly-fitted to the steel right now and it can slide on and off at this point. So I can still easily take it off to do whatever it takes to install a guard. I'll have to look into picking up one of those knife books... so far i've just been going off posts on here along with trial and error. Thanks again, Lodestone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 Looks like you need to shape the guard with a curve to it to match the fore end of the grip: could forge a steel or a forgable bronze or even use something like a corian guard that could be rasped to fit. Really hard core would be to sand cast a guard to fit; a bit easier would be to cast pewter in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tagg Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 I you made the handle material longer, you could end it squarely right before the blade starts. That would look more finished. Zachary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Considering all of the various factors, I would use a poured pewter (lead-free solder) guard. It's not that difficult to do and will fill the odd gaps you have between the blade and wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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