Handles & Guards w Ed Clarke

Service Description

Fri, July 31 - Sun, Aug 2 Join us for the Handles & Guards class , a 3-day immersive experience where you'll dive into the intricacies of knife handles, guards, and pommels! Students will explore their purpose, design, and materials through engaging classroom sessions and hands-on shop time. Unlock your creativity as you learn about attachment methods, shaping techniques, and finishing touches to elevate your bladesmithing skills. Students are required to bring the following: 1-3 rough ground, ready-to-harden knives, either full or hidden tang Handle material (blocks for hidden tangs/scales for full tangs) The Academy will Supply the Following: 60, 120 Grit, and 265 grit abrasive belts Brass and stainless steel guard and pommel material: Brass and stainless steel pins (1/16 and 1/8 diameter) Brass, stainless steel, or white brass Corby Bolts Brass, stainless steel, or white brass thong tubing Dry, natural wood blocks or scales (maple, walnut) West Systems marine epoxy The following handle materials are NOT included in the cost of this course. If you wish to use any of these materials you are welcome to supply them yourselves: Stabilized Wood Phenolics Micarta Bone Stag/Antler *Due to the additional safety precautions, PPE, and tooling required, Carbon Fiber, Mammoth, and Ivory will not be allowed in this particular class. These materials require more time than this class allows. Course schedule Friday 8am-10am Classroom- Handles & Guards Presentation 10am-12pm Student Knife Design & Planning- Template Creation 12pm-1pm Lunch 1pm-1:30pm Classroom- Knife Handle/Blade Prep For Hardening/Tempering 1:30pm-4pm Knife Handle/Blade Prep For Hardening/Tempering 4pm-4:45pm Harden Knives 4:45pm-5pm Shop Clean Up Saturday 9am-9:30am Classroom- Finish Grinding Knives forGuard/Bolster/Pommel Fit-Up 9:30am-11:30am Finish Grind Knives for Guard/Bolster/Pommel Fit-Up 11:30am-1pm Guard/Bolster Material Preparation 1pm-2pm Lunch 2pm-4pm Shaping, Dry Fitting of Guards, Bolsters, Handle material 4pm-4:45pm Installation- Epoxying and Clamping 4:45pm-5pm Shop Clean Up Sunday 9am-11am Rough Shaping of Handles/Guards/Bolsters 11am-12pm Final Finish Work Begins 12pm-1pm Lunch 1pm-4pm Complete Final Finishing 4pm-4:15pm Shop Clean Up 4:15pm-5pm Classroom Discussion, Questions/Answers, Surveys