Knife/gouge guards

[squbrigg]

After making the new gouges (handles) I knew I had to protect the blades in my little travel kit, so I made a bunch of guards in Butternut and am now decorating them.

So I can tell what blade is in each, I incorporated a "key" into my designs and so the curvature of the mouth on each one tells me what curve blade is enclosed by that cover. It works.

Here are the first four, just eight more to go in the set. They are fun to carve, and I am using them as an exercise to practice my skills on carving faces, lord knows I need it.

Bob

[oldbearx2]

Great idea for protecting the blades. Beats the clear tubing I use by a mile.

[Ron T]

Bob, what a great idea. The little carvings are great all by themselves but doing double duty just increases their usefulness.

Where was you "Mohawk" when I neeeded him? LOL.

Did you split the Butternut for the tool profile/opening?

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Very nice, and a great idea Bob, thanks for sharing it with us.
Carl

[tucker1931]

Bob, even if you lost your vote the other day, you sure came up with an excellent idea, WOW, that is so super, good for you.
Cliff

[cannuckcarver]

What a great idea...
Thanks for sharring.

[vacation212]

That is really a neat idea.

[squbrigg]

They are great practice, while making a useful and attractive guard.

No Ron, the pieces are all solid, I made a jig to hold the pieces upright and drilled them on the drill press, and then shaped each one at the opening to match the handle curve. The Butternut is so soft that the blades make their own final rest inside, as I drilled the depth carefully, so the tips go into sold wood for the last 1/8", which also acts as a slight grip on the blade, to hold them in snugger.

Have another two almost ready for finish tonight. Very relaxing sitting back carving them.

Bob

[Joy]

Very clever, Bob and well done.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Bob, those are excellent, what a great idea !!

Dave