I salvage and re-purpose metal for my guards and fittings. Always been a scrounger so I have tons of scrap that can be recycled. I like using a lot of WI anyway so there it is.
Agree with Jim on use of drill press, very few can last long from side pressure - they weren't designed for that task.
I think maybe fitting guards is my least favorite task, but has to be done right to make the finished knife look right. I can forge and prep three or four large blades in the time it takes me to fit up a guard the way I want. Ergo - lot of blades hanging in the shop waiting for guard fittings all the time.
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Carl Rechsteiner, Bladesmith
Georgia Custom Knifemakers Guild, Charter Member
Knifemakers Guild, voting member
Registered Master Artist - GA Council for the Arts
C Rex Custom Knives
Blade Show Table 6-H
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