Thread: Knifemaking photo-essay (8) Shaping the guard

1) Sanding the bevels close to their final dimensions using a 180 grit belt.

2) I round off the handle and guard edges with a router using a small-radius TCT bit. Note the vacuum cleaner tube angling down from top left. I wear both safety glasses and a safety visor when I do this job. I slowly advance the workpiece into the tool, maintaining firm control, and I make sure to keep my fingers well away from the router bit.

3) Blending the guard flat/angle intersection with a fine file. I complete this job using abrasive cloth.

4) Rounding over the guard’s bottom corners.