Adding Jimping to knife

[Billy The Blade]

I'm a big fan of welldone jimping on a knife,
particularly on the Thumb Ramp area of the blade. When it's left off of a knife, I generally miss it.
-An example of this, are some of the RJ Martin
designed Kershaws. For instance some of them
had the thumb jimping, and at first, I thought it was kind of his recognizable 'trademark' of sorts,
but to my surprise (& dissappointment), some of his other models are missing it, as am I.

Anyway, as the thread title says, I would like to get some opinions on the 'Best' way to add jimping to the thumb ramp area of a blade.

Mods: If this 'modding inquiry' thread would be best answered in another area, please feel free to move it.

Thanks, in advance, for your recommendations.
BTB.

 

[Taz]

After the blade is hardened, diamond files or a Dremel are the 2 main options.

 

[Richard338]

Pre heat treat a checkering file works well to get even spacing. The minimum lines per inch that I have found is 20. If you want fewer than that you need to use chainsaw or needle files and be very careful about the spacing.

 

[john april]

the "best" way in my opinion is the proper checkering file pre heat treat. if one jimp is not perfectly spaced when doing them by hand one by one, thats the first thing i notice on the knife.

 

[Billy The Blade]

Thanks, I appreciate the replies.
However, perhaps I should have made it more clear that I am only wanting to add jimping to the Thumb ramp (& possibly the rear of the spine) of some of the knives that I already own.

 

[Taz]

Dremel (Cut off wheel, diamond burr, carbide bits, etc) or diamond files are pretty much your 2 options to work on blades that are already hardened. Normal files won't cut the hardened steel typically.

 

[Billy The Blade]

I'll have to check into these options,
Thanks again.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Get a 50 piece diamond burr kit from Harbor Freight or Amazon for between $15 and 20. The wheels don't last long if used too aggressively, but dipping in soapy water to lubricate them helps extend their life. The various shapes have a lot of use in knifemaking on hardened blades.