panzertank27 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 so i got my knife almost all rough cut, it started out wanting ti be a bowie but ended up not so much like a bowie but i still think its cool. i wnted it know if i can silver solder some of the spring steel onto the knife for a hilt or would i wreck the temper and harden(when i do it) to solder a thick piece on for a hilt and gaurd as the tang is about 3/8 inch thick and ill want about a quarter inch thick piece on both sides ?? also the silver solder i bought says it doesnt need flux as it has a 'flux core ' but i cant help but think ill need some flux like when i do copper pipes for plumbing, can i use the same solder for plumbing if i need it??? thanks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panzertank27 Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 ok so i meant the same flux as plumbing flux not plumbing solder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I don't know about the soldering, but you could weld or solder the guard on before HT, but why not make it fit down the tang, like normal hidden tang construction?? And then when you HT, just dunk up to the bottom of the guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) Low temp plumbing solder, melts around 400F, not very strong. The high temp silver solder sticks melt at closer to 800f, much better choice for securing a guard. But with a hardening temp for many steels being around 1500F, I would advise waiting until after the heat treat to attach it, or the guard will fall off during H/T. Edited March 9, 2009 by steve sells typo as usual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 ok if i understand what you want to do is add something for a guard and hilt by sodering?ive done this after heat treating by useing a low temp silver soder..(staybrite is one brand) it still takes a bit of heat and might temper the area a bit but not to bad .. another method of attachment is to drill and pin .. that can be quite strong or you can combine methods ... or even glue (long cure epoxy or jb weld)can work depends on mechanical fit and how tough you need it to be..good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NuViking Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 If you still want to solder the bolster onto a HT blade,,I have been told that vise grips make a great heat sink. I had once soldered a brass bolster onto a smaller kife and was concerned about loosein the HT,,so I sunk the blade ino a plastic pop bottle filled it with water to 3/4 of an inch where I wanted to solder then tossed it in the deep freezer. Now this froozen block of ice with teh tang sticking out was easy to handle and after soldering it I just let it thw. The knife still seemed hard when it was all done. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charl. Crossforge Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I agree with NuViking. I have even welded and brased stuff onto the tang after heat treatment with no ill effect. I simply submerge the whole blade into a tin of water leaving about 15mm exposed from the point of welding. NuViking's idea of freezing the water will aid ease of handling but just plain water is good enough for cooling. Water in liquid form will not exceed 100 degrees celcius unless it is under presure so hardening will not be affected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve shiffer Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 You can also take 2 pieces of brass or copper place them on the blade end forward of the guard hold them in place with vice grips or a C clamp and they work well as a heat sink. Then you can solder or braise away. placing the blade in water after that will give you extra protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leland Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Great tips, guys -- I've wondered about that myself. Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyboy Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 heck i always use epoxy. Bark river uses JB weld. seems to work O.K. buzz my pc was jammed for about three months till i could afford to have it repaired. all good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 If you do use silver solder watch out for the cadmium. Its a killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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