Shaping brass guards?

[Traddict]

I've made several knives, but always used the stainless oval guards that you can buy.  My question is, How do you shape (or grind and polish) a brass guard, and where is the best place to buy brass guard stock?  Thanks in advance.

[gudspelr]

You can file, grind, and sand the brass.  The highest grit paper gets you a higher polish and I suppose you could even use some of the different rubbing compounds for a super shiny finish.  As for buying, you can find dimensional stuff as well as pre-started guards at several knife making suppliers.  A good place I like to check is the recycling places that also sell scrap.  Have one down the road that I can dig through their brass and copper bins and buy it by the pound if I find some good stuff.

Jeremy

[Traddict]

Thanks for the info.  I'll see what I can find.