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Harry Marinakis




PostPosted: Sun 08 Apr, 2018 7:47 am    Post subject: sheet metals for making chapes         Reply with quote

What types of sheet metals do you use for making chapes?

I've used 20 gauge brass and bronze - Should be using something thicker?

How about silver chapes? I can't see using stainless steel or aluminum for this. Nickel alloy sheet?
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Harry Marinakis




PostPosted: Fri 13 Apr, 2018 6:28 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nickel alloy sheet like this?

https://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=875&step=2&top_cat=1352
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Mark Moore




Location: East backwoods-assed Texas
Joined: 01 Oct 2003
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Posts: 2,294

PostPosted: Fri 13 Apr, 2018 6:53 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I've made a couple of small chapes for various Bowies, daggers and knives from copper tubing over the course of many years. Looks like the nickel plate would do well. I just used the copper because it was cheap and readily available. They looked pretty good when polished up. Happy ....McM
''Life is like a box of chocolates...'' --- F. Gump
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Dan D'Silva





Joined: 28 Apr 2007

Posts: 313

PostPosted: Wed 02 May, 2018 2:08 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I kept forgetting about this thread until I had a chance to go to the hardware store and confirm some things. I think that for most uses, 20ga. is okay, 18ga. might be better, 16ga. would be good if the chape is pretty large, and 14ga. or thicker would be overkill unless you expect the sheath or scabbard to see very hard use..
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Matthew Amt




Location: Laurel, MD, USA
Joined: 17 Sep 2003

Posts: 1,456

PostPosted: Wed 02 May, 2018 6:39 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I'd stick with 20-ga or even 22. I've used 18 gauge for a couple chapes, and it can be a surprisingly tough fight to get it into those small shapes and tight curves. I remember beating the hell out of one, and never did get it perfectly symmetrical! On a small object, slight irregularities are more visible.

Matthew
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Dan D'Silva





Joined: 28 Apr 2007

Posts: 313

PostPosted: Wed 02 May, 2018 5:56 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Admittedly I've only worked with 22-20ga. myself, but I'm assuming the OP has better metalworking skills than me and the 22-20 range always seemed a little thin. To amend: IMO, 18ga. would be better if you can do it.

Harry, what sort of chapes are you making?
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Harry Marinakis




PostPosted: Sat 05 May, 2018 9:24 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Dan D'Silva wrote:
Harry, what sort of chapes are you making?

Chapes for sword scabbards and dagger sheaths
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