At what point do you guys...

[SkaerE]

1.) taper the blade into the tip (looking down on the spine, taper it towards the end of the blade) during grinding of the bevels?

2.) make the plunge cut?

 

[Brett Bennett]

1. If I'm flat grinding (ground from edge to spine), I accomplish the distal taper during the grinding operation. If it is saber or hollow ground, it is done prior to grinding.

2. I don't set my plunges at a particular stage. It is part of the grinding operation. All my grinding begins at the plunge and extends in one direction towards the tip. I don't personally grind back and forth unless I'm working a very specific area. My plunges are left rough until I go to flexible belts.

 

[Phillip Jones]

The plunge cuts on our flat ground blades are cut in with a round file before any grinding is done.
We taper the tip as we are grinding the blade.