The effects of $B_4C$ on the mechanical properties of WC/Ni-Si hardmetal were analyzed using sintered bodies comprising WC(70-x wt.%), Ni (28.5 wt.%), Si (1.5 wt.%), and $B_4C$ (x wt.%), where $$0{leq_-}x{leq_-}1.2$$ wt.%. Samples were prepared by a combination of mechanical milling and liquid-phase sintering. Phase and microstructure characterizations were conducted using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe X-ray micro analysis. The mechanical properties of the sintered bodies were evaluated by measuring their hardness and transverse rupture strength. The addition of $B_4C$ improved the sinterability of the hardmetals. With increasing $B_4C$ content, their hardness increased, but their transverse rupture strength decreased. The changes of sinterability and mechanical properties were attributed to the alloying reaction between $B_4C$ and the binder metal (Ni, Si).