Antique Bowie ricasso (odd curve)

My bet is a grinding stone with a rounded edge, no longer a 90 degree angle from the face of the stone to the side?
chris
 
The guys that ground these didn't need jigs. They did it all day long, often laying on planks in front of huge grinding stones turning in a water trough. In many cases they were payed by the piece, and had to rent the stone and space.
 
The wheels they used in Sheffield were 4-6 feet round. They lay down on a wooden pallet and held the knife against the water flooded wheel. After a few passes to remove the excess from the bevels, they would hold the knife on the flat side of the wheel to "straighten out" the grind lines. This would make a slight curve to the plunge line.
I have had people ask about Scagel's curved ricasso transition. I have examined a good number of his knives, and believe he used the same technique on a smaller diameter grinding wheel ( which is why the curve is more pronounced on his blades). Next time I see Dr. Lucie, I will ask him about that.

You get a similar effect when using a flat disc sander,too.
 
Thanks Wick & Stacy. Your response was harmful though. I have acquired that specific piece of information but now I thirst for more making techniques from years past.

Dean
 
winterbear said:
My bet is a grinding stone with a rounded edge, no longer a 90 degree angle from the face of the stone to the side?
chris
Click to expand...

Exactly what I thought as soon as I saw it.

Belt grinders are a modern luxury. Old knives were ground on stone grinding wheels which got rounded corners with use.
 
deloid-- you're welcome! If you chase all the links on that site you will find some amazing craftsmanship. Ms. Horne is not just another Ph.D.-- she makes fabulous knives in her shop in Sheffield. Ms. Wood is married to the last spring pole lathe turner in England.
 
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