# Making Edge Guards for Hand Tools Using Hand-Moldable Plastic

## Overview

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/026/269/medium800/tools_guard-1.jpg?1436293008)

I have recently been practicing some sharpening techniques that I picked up from [Carl Swensson](http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/118578/carl-swensson-the-experimental-woodworker), a great Baltimore area woodworker. After spending hours sharpening my chisels, I found myself looking for a way to protect the edges from nicks and chips while transporting them, and also wanted to protect myself from the _very_ sharp tools, since I recently lost a chunk of my index finger to a freshly sharpened blade.

After some searching, I found a great article by Chris Schwarz about [using Plasti Dip and masking tape to make edge guards](http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/chris-schwarz-blog/make-your-own-edge-guards). I was unable to get the snug fit I was looking for using his method, and the Plasti Dip was nasty to work with. Fortunately, I noticed that [low-temperature hand-moldable plastic](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2504) was recently added to the Adafruit shop, and decided to give it a try. The results were exactly what I was looking for, and the process couldn't be simpler. Let's get started.

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/hand-moldable-edge-guards/forming-the-guard.md)

## Featured Products

### Hand-Moldable Plastic - Low Temperature Thermoplastic

[Hand-Moldable Plastic - Low Temperature Thermoplastic](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2504)
They look a lot like sushi rice, but don't eat 'em - these are **Low Temperature Thermoplastic Beads**! Also known as "Friendly Plastic", "Instamorph", "Polymorph" and many other names

These 100g bags are full of...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2504)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2504/guides)

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