Andy's 1st Po-Boy Knife

Thanks Dan! I see I did much wrong. I have questions too for you and Sarge. Do you grind the file before you anneal/draw out? It would seem easier to grind after annealing. Not trying to innovate, just wondering.
 
Nice job for the first time Andy!:thumbup: :D :cool: Lots of people do a helluva lot worse, and I mean a HELLUVA Lot Worse!!!!
Having a wheel dresser goes a long way in helping to get smooth grinds on a wheel grinder. There are several types but I like the Silicon Carbide ones the best. Generally you can get them in a couple of grits, one smoother than the other.
The least effective but the ones that take the most material off the wheel is the rotary steel type but they work well on large coarse wheels.
 
Wow. And you spent less than $5? Looks great. I respect you and other knife makers. I don't have much desire to make one, but I do like to ogle them.
 
Lion siad: I respect you and other knife makers

May be a stretch to call me a knife maker. A father, yes, but a knifemaker definitely not. Take a look at Longrifle's posts to see what I mean.

Yvsa, Thanks a lot. I finished the grinding on two kardas today. Then I'll start two chakmas. I figured it was likely I'd F up at least one of these Kardas, but you know, I got a little better with the grinder this time round. And I used a belt sander to smooth out the sides. This evening I compared my work to Sarge's and there is no comparison. Of course.

Sarge you are an artist. How do you get those fine points without burning them?
 
aproy1101 said:
Sarge you are an artist. How do you get those fine points without burning them?
Click to expand...

As you've observed, edges and points will burn quickly on the grinder due to the thinness of the metal there. Patience and a light touch gets the job done. With practice you'll be able to adjust your grinding pressure from heavy, for fast stock removal on thick stuff, to dancing a fine edge or sharp point on the wheel light as any feather. Your first few times grinding blades will teach you a lot, and once your hands have acquired the techniques it all becomes second nature. Then you enter the realm of not worrying as to whether or not you can make the knife, but wondering what kind of knife you want to make next. :D

Sarge
 
it's actually OK to burn the tip a little bit. This area should not be brittle anyway. Burning the tip will soften it, so that if you accidentally drop it on the cement, it will not chip.

I do not advocate this, nor do I do it on my tips. I try to make sure I heat-treat and grind in a way that leaves the tip stout enough and not brittle at the same time.

But for a beginner making a knife from a file, you are ok with a few burn-out marks in that area.



p.s. fyi - carbon is not lost, just the hardness (temper). You have to get up pretty hot before you start carbon loss.
 
Man I'm lucky I'm a member of this forum. Thanks for the wisdom gentlemen. I have ground down a couple of Kardas. That forward blade shape was tough. I can see that my second knife has come out better, and the grinding was easier. I could tell when the steel was out of position on the grinder. Lots more control. Plus this time I also used the belt sander. I hadn't touched it the first time.
 
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