Angle Grinder for Roughing Small Knife?

T

The Mighty Ginsu

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Aug 11, 2016
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I'm sitting around waiting for my first steel to arrive (440C), and I am not looking forward to roughing the shape with my 1x42 grinder. It's a fantastic machine for smaller jobs, but this is going to be like digging a grave with a garden trowel.

Is it okay to rough shapes out with an angle grinder? I was thinking that might be a good way to give myself a head start. I don't want to screw up the steel.
 
I use the Angle grinder with a cutoff wheel to get things as close as possible and then I switch to my 1x42.

-Jeff F


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Seconding what 705 said, an angle grinder is great for rough profiling, even though its reputation makes it the "Nickelback" of shop tools. For me, knifemaking would be unimaginably more difficult without one. One tip...much like a circular saw, always keep it moving to avoid kickback.
 
Ninja Blacksmith said:
Seconding what 705 said, an angle grinder is great for rough profiling, even though its reputation makes it the "Nickelback" of shop tools. For me, knifemaking would be unimaginably more difficult without one. One tip...much like a circular saw, always keep it moving to avoid kickback.
Click to expand...

Another tip to avoid the dreaded kick back is to drag the grind rather than push the grind. (Ex. Think of a car spinning its wheels forward but it's being pushed backward.) If there is any kick back it'll be away from you.
 
I have used the angle grinder just for profiling. It may sound nuts, but before I had a metal cutting band saw, I would rough shape with a sawzall with a metal blade, then use a grinding disk on the angle grinder to get close. I was worried about exploding a cutting wheel in a long rip cut in steel. Either way- full face shield, leather apron, gloves, leather boots when using an angle grinder and most of all STAY OUT OF THE PLANE OF THE BLADE. be safe.
 
my only issue would be you are working 440C, an airhardening steel. you may create hard spots if you are not careful with your cutting and grinding. I have a 5 speed makita that works well.
scott
 
kdogmcg said:
Either way- full face shield, leather apron, gloves, leather boots when using an angle grinder and most of all STAY OUT OF THE PLANE OF THE BLADE. be safe.
Click to expand...

I agree. It's really disturbing how little most people know about the dangers of grinders. Somewhere online, there is a safety site that recounts a story about a guy who was using an angle grinder and ended up dying when the wheel broke up and sent fragments into his abdominal cavity. I assume it was at least a 7" grinder. Anyway, if you check Youtube, you'll find lots of people using angle grinders without guards.
 
I got it roughed out. I made a new drawing, photocopied it, and glued it to the steel to use as a guide.

I used a number of tools, to see what worked. The grinder was helpful. The 1x42 belt grinder was helpful but slow. The drill press and sanding drum were fantastic for finishing the edges. The mill was fast, but I was afraid the steel would harden from the heat. The dental lathe and small sanding drum were excellent for the tight curve.

I can see why people buy big belt grinders.

I'm glad I gave this a shot. It looks like it's a lot easier than I thought.

Now I have to figure out the best way to get rid of the scale on the blade area.

08%2018%2016%20birds%20beak%20knife%20roughed%20in%20440C_zpsf3jbxher.jpg
 
scott.livesey said:
my only issue would be you are working 440C, an airhardening steel. you may create hard spots if you are not careful with your cutting and grinding. I have a 5 speed makita that works well.
scott
Click to expand...

i've used an angle grinder on 440c dozens of times at least and i've never noticed any hot spots to speak of... i would worry more about safety with these bad boys. they are like ex wives; as long as you are careful and do everything right, you should be safe... but just remember, they can explode for what seems like no reason if you don't watch what youre doing.
 
I would like to add that make sure you wear a face shield...not just a pair of glasses. You don't want to get hit with one of those broken wheel shards. Better yet wear a leather apron as well...it gives off enough sparks to set things on fire.

-Jeff F


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