1 degree taper disc good for flattening handle materials?

[Erin Burke]

I use the flat disc more than the 1 degree unit even when flattening bevels on large
[8 inch] knives. If you work off center and don't pass directly across the radius of the disc it works great.

^^^This!^^^
Working off-center is the key. :thumbup:
Erin

 

[LARRYZ10]

It is not hard to grind the scale edges by eye but you could clamp a piece of steel or wood to the table if you wanted. Here is a knife with dovetailed bolsters. Larry Lehman

 

[Augus7us]

I see a lot of guys saying they only tend to use one disc (usually the flat one), if that is the case is there any advantage to buying the Nielsen system?

-Clint

 

[LARRYZ10]

Augus7us, The Neilson system is a hub that has one or more discs that fit it magnetically so you can quick change sandpaper grits while working. I use 5 discs with grits from 100 to 800 ( or any paper that I want) and save time changing the paper on ONE disc. It is a huge advantage to me to be able to change discs every couple minutes while I am working on a blade. Larry Lehman

 

[stezann]

How do you keep your scales/bolsters square when using the disc for dovetailing? Do you clamp on a guide or something at 90 degrees to the disc?

Thanks

It's overcomplicating IMHO...just start from dovetailing and then add the profile

 

[elementfe]

The 1deg disk is noticeably more aggressive for removing the last traces of 60 grit scratches, the flat is better if you're going to hand sand.
I use the 1deg to prepare for a brushed (scotchbrite) finish, flat to make hand sanding a breeze.