Help With Shield Inlay

[wheelgun44]

I have a couple projects I am working on that I would like to try inlaying shields but I don't have the nerve to try without a little expert advice. Are there any tutorials on how to do this especially in Stag and Jigged bone? Is a Dremel the best choice? Any help would be Greatly Appreciated. Thanks

[Iron Hoarder]

Look up using a parser. There are some interesting videos.

[orvet]

Does anyone know where I can get a parser? I would love to have one & the templates to go with it!

In my experience inletting a shield is a very time consuming and even painful task.

The proper way is with a parser also requires a hardened steel template for the particular shield you are installing. It should be noted that all shields are not the same shape & size and therefore require different templates.

The only company I know of selling templates is USA Knifemakers Supply. The templates are limited to the shields they sell there. In other words they don't sell templates for Case XX shields for example or old federal shields. The templates are about $21 and the shields are about $1 each. The mechanism that holds the hardened template in place on the knife sells for about $100, but can be used with all of their templates. Instead of using a parser you use a Dremel tool or a Foredom to inlet the handle material. It is a great system if you are making custom knives and install a lot of the same shield. It is not much use for a person repairing an old knife.

So, back to a practical answer to your question..................installing a shield without a parser or without the templates & holder from USA Knifemakers Supply is.................trial & error.


What I do is somehow hold the tiny shield up to the handle and trace around it. Then using my Foredom (I would HATE to try this with a Dremel) and a variety of cutting bits, I try and cut away enough material to inlet the shield WITHOUT cutting the hole too big or cutting the handle outside the shield area. It is not easy and can take as long or longer than the knife repair itself!

You will need excellent eyesight, or high powered magnifying glasses in my case, and excellent hand eye coordination. But what you will need most is a LOT OF PATIENCE!!

I would advise you attempt several practice shields on scrap handle material before trying it on a knife you are wanting to keep.

Let us know how you do.

[Iron Hoarder]

Parsers are fairly simple and you can make one yourself. Depending upon how many shields you do the templates don't really need to be hardened either. The template would probably be the hardest part. I'll have to see if I can find any parsers for sale in Sheffield.

[wheelgun44]

Thanks guys. I guess I will just have to practice on some scrap material until I get it right. I would be interested in buying a parser and templates as well. Thanks again.

[jerryd6818]

This information on an old parser is interesting.

http://www.watchman.dsl.pipex.com/two-l ... arser.html

Cool picture of someone using one.

Using A Parser.jpg (22.31 KiB) Viewed 5677 times

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlF6OTEDaXQ[/youtube]

[orvet]

Here is a video of someone using a parser-
http://youtu.be/RlF6OTEDaXQ

[knifegirl888]

Posted by Bret with Kathy logged in

[Bret888]

It is funny this thread came up, because I am just about done with my 1st attempt. I am close to putting it back together, but here is a pic of the shield. I filed a template out of soft mild steel, so it would be easy to work. If you were doing several, it would be best to use a hardenable alloy, and harden when done. I didn't have a cutter that was the right size, so it wouldn't cut into the template. The one I had was carbide, so I couldn't easily modify it so the smooth shank would run up against the template. You can see where I bit into the template a little bit. I have better control with both hands on the piece, elbows rested, with the cutter in a drill press.
I have some nickel silver here somewhere, but couldn't find it, so I cut the dog out of a nickel, trying to match an original the best I could. I punched in the details with whatever I could grind to work. He looked better, before I scarfed him behind the eye with a file when taking the pin down

[wheelgun44]

That is a GREAT JOB!! Very Impressed!!! How did you clamp the template to the handle? Thanks

[wheelgun44]

Here is a link to the Tony Bose site. It is step by step of making a "back pocket" knife. Shield Inlaying is also shown in detail.

http://boseknives.com/backpocket-construction/

[glennbad]

Thanks for linking that, WG. A inside look at a true master craftsman!

Glenn

[Bret888]

That is a GREAT JOB!! Very Impressed!!! How did you clamp the template to the handle? Thanks

I used a cedar door shim, cut out the knife hole, leaving an open end, then pinched it sideways with needle nose vise grips, then clamped the template down to the wood.

[glennbad]

Bret, that is quite skilled to cut a dogs head out of a nickel!

Glenn

[muskrat man]

good stuff being shown. I don't get a lot of requests for shields but when I do they are always something different so I just free hand them in with a dremel. Line the shield up with pins, scribe around it and carefully grind out everything inside and up to the outside of the scribe line. keep test fitting too, some inletting black helps the process along too so you can easily see where the shield is still contacting after the initial rough inletting.

[wheelgun44]

I appreciate everyone's help. There is some great information on this thread!