For years I always thought that the guard and the fittings on a handle had to be made either of stainless or a non-ferrous metal like N/S or bronze. Recently I have started to rethink this and use carbon steel on some of my knife handles.
Usually I will etch the carbon fitting or use a gun blue but I'm not sure that this should be a hard & fast rule. I got starting wondering about the use of carbon steel since I'm starting to use more forged guards & fittings and steel or W/I sure forges easier then the other choices.
I'd appreciate your thoughts. Is carbon steel acceptable for fittings?
Gary
I like to use blued steel fittings. When mirror polished before bluing, they have a metallic deep black color. They're tough to photograph though.
Probably 1/3 of my fittings are mild steel, Damascus and wrought iron. I have no difficulty using any of them.
When I do, I always do so in a take-down manner so they can be oiled and such at any time.
Karl B. Andersen
Journeyman Smith
I feel that making hard and fast rules about some things can hinder creativity. Some of the very best makers don't stick to many of the norms which leads to some incredible work.
I have used wrought and am not opposed to trying different materials for fittings. I look at makers like Lin Rhea who is willing to step out of how traditional materials are used. Just look at some of his stacked handles. Also John Doyle and his use of synthetics for fittings. I believe there are so many possibilities left to be explored. I just wish I were creative enough to figure some out and try them before Lin or John and other more talented makers do <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//biggrin.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D' />
Chris
