Blade guards / protectors

[cseymour]

Hi All,
Looking for recommendations for blade cover / protectors for the knives I take in my bag to carve with on the train. I have been using something like a styrofoam cover but from taking the blade out and putting back in, it lost it's shape and doesn't stay on the blade anymore.

Just wondering what other folks use. Oh by the way, I am using a couple of Ron Wells knives the detail and the short blade.

Thanks.

Chris

[xsailer]

I used made wood with magnet inbeded, wood cover, leather, plastic, foam but the best easiest quickest all around, for me, the clear vinyl hose you buy at most any hardward store. I also like for my narrow blades the surgical rubber hose cut to length. If the clear vinyl hose is too tight over the handle take a torch and heat tenderly and quick put on the handle the way you want it then run it under water to cool it down for fit. Works for me.

[BobT]

Hooray for the Ron Wells knives. I had the same problem. The styrofoam won't last. I tried the leather covers. They fall off.

I stumbled upon Will Haydens site; Will Hayden Wood Carving

He had carved some neat blade covers in different shapes. I was just there and could not find them. If I could take a picture I would show you mine. However, photography is my worst failing in my lifetime.

Anyway, I cut pieces of 1/4 basswood. Mortised a little slot for the blade, drilled a small hole to stick a little magnet in. Glued them together and carved away. They work. Woodcraft has those really tiny magnets, like 6 mm.

And these covers are on all of my Ron Wells knives.

This will probably start some discussion. I have heard all kinds of stories about how bad it is to store the blade in proximity to a magnet. I value my ron Wells knives very much and they are just fine after spending so much time next to a magnet.

If you are having trouble picturing what I am trying to get across, PM me. I will try to get a photo.

Bob

I went back and found it. Check this out . . . Will Hayden Wood Carving Lesson 3

[Lynn O. Doughty]

The easiest blade guards you can get you can obtain from Radio Shack. They last a long time....I've been using the same ones for years and they fit each blade individually for a perfect fit. Just go buy a sack full of "Shrink Tubing" It comes in all sizes. Pick a size that just slips over your blade...cut it off beyond the blade tip..strike a match and srink it to fit. While the end is soft just squeeze it together with a clothespin till it cools. Sometimes I use two thicknesses if the blade is large.

This same technique works for gouges too to cover the tips of the tool.

With these coverings fitting tight as they do your knives can bang around in your took box all day and come out just as sharp as they were going in.