Any technique for aligning a small roll in steel?

C

CubeLW

Joined
Jul 16, 2014
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Don't know what I did yesterday but I noticed there's a itty bitty roll in my bvcak. Problem is, I tried so many different angles but the steel wouldnt even budge. I've heard of using a hammer, would that work? Thanks guys and gals.
 
CubeLW said:
Don't know what I did yesterday but I noticed there's a itty bitty roll in my bvcak. Problem is, I tried so many different angles but the steel wouldnt even budge. I've heard of using a hammer, would that work? Thanks guys and gals.
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It could have been something in the wood. It could have been the way you chopped in a stroke. We had a long discussion on "unsupported chopping phenomena" awhile back that not everyone ascribed to. I still believe it's possible to overtorque a blade during chopping if you are not careful.

But yes, done watchfully and carefully you can use a hammer to straighten it.
 
Karda said:
It could have been something in the wood. It could have been the way you chopped in a stroke. We had a long discussion on "unsupported chopping phenomena" awhile back that not everyone ascribed to. I still believe it's possible to overtorque a blade during chopping if you are not careful.

But yes, done watchfully and carefully you can use a hammer to straighten it.
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I went back and checked the wood I was chopping yesterday(fence posts to make little stakes to keep my chickens away from the turmeric I planted ) and realized there were a bunch of nails in it (doh!). Gonna try that hammer thing in a bit. Thanks, Karda
 
Oooh Painful CubeLW. I have done something similar in the past and could have just kicked myself. I also happen to have a Scyth which is generally sharpened via peening. So I have a jig for that. But basically work really hard to hold the alignment of the hammer head so that you are striking the roll at the same angle as the blade edge. You should be able to get it mostly straight. Then you can use the steel to finish getting it as straight as possible. Then as you sharpen the small mark that would be left will disappear through time.
 
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Cube, place the edge of the blade at the edge of your anvil, iron, table on a vise, or whatever. This will allow the hammer head to strike the blade at the same angle the blade is shaped in. That way, a portion of the hammer face can be below the edge when it strikes and help prevent "smilies" from appearing in the steel from a mis-strike. Makes the job easier and quicker, too.
 
Ah great tip Bookie! I never think about that part because the jig holds the angle for me and keeps me from that mistake. But good catch, freehand that is probably essential.
 
Thanks for the tips Shav and Bookie. Sadly I don't have an anvil. Never seen one for sale anywhere
 
Do you have a decent sized vise? I used the top of my vise a few times, but then it is pretty big LOL. whatever you are planning to use under the knife while you use the hammer on it, same basic principal though. Hope it works out for you and cleans up nice and smooth.
 
Shavru nailed it. Most any vise beyond the worthless pieces of junk you clamp on to your TV tray have a flat surface you can pound on.

Now Mr. Bookie is one of the forge experts here but to me your not forging a new knife, your just tapping out a boo boo. Not swinging, tapping.

If you have a piece of angle iron or anything like that you can clamp it in the vise, or c clamp to a bench and it should be enough.

If all else fails find a pickup with one of the big trailer hitch receptacles on the back. Stay low and out of sight, be quick, lots of folks steal those things so you wanna get in and out lickety split. Just use the top of the hitch for your anvil.
Bring your own hammer, doubt they'll have one handy on the bumper, maybe if it's a carpenter you might get lucky.

Sincerely

McGyver (specializing in duct tape and bailing wire)
 
If its a small roll you can sometimes squeeze it down with a pair of pliers or vice grips on the smooth flat part of the jaw.
 
ndoghouse said:
If its a small roll you can sometimes squeeze it down with a pair of pliers or vice grips on the smooth flat part of the jaw.
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We're trying to straighten a blade here Ndog. No place for your dental expertise. My mouth hurts thinking about flat part of a vise grip on my jaw!
 
Well it might not hurt as much as getting caught moving your neighbors boat off the driveway to get to his trailer hitch. But I do like the idea. That was the best one yet:thumbup:
Bawanna said:
We're trying to straighten a blade here Ndog. No place for your dental expertise. My mouth hurts thinking about flat part of a vise grip on my jaw!
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Point well taken. I hadn't considered that. Must be on account of that MS degree ya got.
 
Now now NDog, depending on the size of the neighbor having him mad about his boat trailer rolling down the driveway while you use his trailer hitch to straighten rolled steel MIGHT just remove that pesky rotten tooth even faster than the vise grips... hmm.. now where did I come into this convoluted discussion? :D
 
Thanks guys. I got it aligned with a hammer and chakma (used the chakma like a chisel) and that was a pretty sweet idea McBawanna. Although if caught I'd likely get tackled to the floor lol.

Edit: All better haha
 
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Great to hear you got it fixed. Bet you watch close for those nails next time ;)
 
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