Protecting the guard face

[Dana Hackney]

Hi gang,

I have often found that I end up spending a lot of time cleaning up the guard face/front
even when I am careful to avoid scratching it when I'm shaping the guard or working on
the handle.

Does anyone have any neat trick or gadgets to keep the face of the guard protected?

I always tape the tar out of the blade and glob vasoline on the guard but I always end up
having to refinish things.

Thanks!
Dana

[Ed Caffrey]

Hi Dana!

While I don't cover the face of the guards, I often have to touch them up when the knife is done. A product that I have found, which makes the job MUCH easier is from Birchwood Casey, called STOCK SHEEN & CONDITIONER. I tape off the sides of the blade, and then use a small amount on a Q-tip to "buff" the guard face....it leaves a finish like #0000 steel wool, but without all the hard rubbing, and the Q-tip gets into those tight areas.

[Dana Hackney]

for that tip! I'll order some asap and give it a try.

Thanks, again, buddy!
Dana

[J. Doyle]

Dana, I always do the same as you. Carefully tape up the face of the guard when finishing the sides. I tape as close as I can with only one or two layers so it isn't all bunched up. Other than that, I just try to be extra careful that I don't touch the top.

Sorry if that didn't help much.

Ed- good tip. I'll be giving that a shot too.

[Dana Hackney]

I do the same myself but I always manage to bugger up the guard. I guess I'm a little to careless .

I wonder if using some finger nail polish might work?

I cannot wait to try that Birchwood-Casey product.

Take care John,
Dana