Tricks of the Trade

[1961MJS]

Hi

I've put a number of handles on Green River knives, and I put together a round tang bowie with an Antler handle years ago.  I've made several mistakes and learned from them.  I don't want to LEARN too much on a $49.00 flat tang bowie blade though.

I have a question on what trick(s) to use to make a nice joint where the slabs, tang, and the brass guard meet.

The first picture is from Wild Rose Trading's tutorial on making a Mexican Loop Sheath, but in this case I'm interested in the knife.  I want to build the whole setup including the knife itself.

With my Green River knives, I usually finish the wood on the front of the slab and then sand the rest off later as below in the second picture.  I don't see that working out as well with a guard, the tang, and the slab.  Are there any tricks to doing this well?

Thanks, I hate to copy somebody's picture, but that's where I found the knife and sheath combo I want to build.

Later

[ChuckBurrows]

No problem using the image - at least you noted where it came from and that's always "proper"

1) Fit the guard first - either solder it in place (low heat silver bearing solder), or glue it place use something like J B Weld

2) The slab section that will fit on the tang needs to be flattened to match

3) Once that is done - hand fit the slabs to the back of the guard

4) Glue or clamp on slab to the tang and drill the holes for the pins.

5) Glue and pin both slabs to the tang - while glue was not used in the "past" for attaching the slabs most of us do it to prevent water/sweat getting between the scales and the tang/guard which = rust....

6) File/sand away any over hang and shape the grip to what you want...

If everything went right Voila - even after 53 years building knives it doesn't always go right the first time...

This is the basic method - others mileage WILL vary....

[1961MJS]

Thanks Chuck

It appears by the directions, that you finish the blade side of the guard before you solder it and finished the back side of the guard with the slabs in place.  That would tend to be a little easier in some ways.

Thanks Again