Bevel Question

H

Harley Boatman

Joined
Jun 21, 2020
Messages
98
I saw this knife a while back and thought I'd try to make it for myself, but with that recurve-ish part I'm not sure how I'd grind that bevel. It seems to me that I'd have to ease into a whole different angle against the platen once I get to the belly of the knife.

I also feel like I should say I mean no disrespect in attempting to copy this maker's work. As I said I'd like to make it just for myself.

3twPSze.jpg
 
Bill DeShivs said:
I know things like this are popular, but why would you WANT to?
Grinds like that are useless.
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I knew this would be the first reply because I've been thinking that myself XD

Just last night I was talking with my wife about how that curve right in the middle totally ruins all functionality.... except for the cool factor:cool:

Honestly though, that's just it. I think it looks neat and I'd like to make it just for the fun of it. I think we all at some point make something totally useless or absurd just for the heck of it.
 
AVigil said:
The cool kids dig it granpa :D

As for the OP, just take it to a steeper angle.
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You got it!

That's what I was scared of. It sounds like a very delicate process that could very easily be messed up. Perhaps I'll wait until I've got more experience at a grinder and a VFD...
 
The approach is the same as any other knife grind, except for the spine near the tip, which is an additional flat or bevel grind.
My only worry would be messing up a lot of quality primary bevel work, while trying to embellish the spine. Go for it.
 
logem said:
The approach is the same as any other knife grind, except for the spine near the tip, which is an additional flat or bevel grind.
My only worry would be messing up a lot of quality primary bevel work, while trying to embellish the spine. Go for it.
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I did a couple false edges on some tanto blades that came up from the spine like the one in the photo, I thought it came out looking really cool. Since then I've liked the false top edge- adds character. I don't think I'll do the rock pattern- like you said, it may mess up the primary bevel. In any case, I'll do a practice run on some scrap metal and/or a piece of wood
 
Harley Boatman said:
I knew this would be the first reply because I've been thinking that myself XD

Just last night I was talking with my wife about how that curve right in the middle totally ruins all functionality.... except for the cool factor:cool:

Honestly though, that's just it. I think it looks neat and I'd like to make it just for the fun of it. I think we all at some point make something totally useless or absurd just for the heck of it.
Click to expand...
I am in the same boat as you, just make blades I find interesting. My first was a Northmen's Guild White Wolf copy, which was not an easy one to start with vs a Kabar or somehing simpler. Blade came out pretty...well...bad I'd say! But I love looking at it and knowing I made it! Go for it, hope you'll update as you go here!
 
Dave Hamilton said:
I am in the same boat as you, just make blades I find interesting.
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It's better that way IMO. At first I got too caught up in wanting to eventually sell what I make. I realized I put too much pressure on myself to be perfect immediately instead of just enjoying the process. Making what you find interesting is the way to go.

Dave Hamilton said:
Go for it, hope you'll update as you go here!
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I will!
 
Harley Boatman said:
Oh that's a great idea, I'll have to try that
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Maybe this way should be much easy to you..? Don t cut blade in shape you want , leave that part and grind like any other knife .Then when you finish bevels , grind that part and regrind bevels only there.That way there would be very little material to grind .................grinding jig will help you a lot :thumbsup:
Wwb8j7f.jpg
 
I have one like that i'm working on. I found it a matter of varying the angle of the blade as you went through. Also found it easier to do the front part of the bevel somewhat separately to the back part.
You won't be able to use a jig, but with some practice you should be able to do it freehand. Maybe get some cheaper steel like (1070, 5160) and grind out a few before you heat treat them.
 
I took some of your guys' advice and tried again on 3/16" plywood using the laminate as an edge guide. I also did the front and rear bevels separately and blended after they were both ground. Here's what I got:

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I have 2 more plywood practice pieces profiled so I'll try again with those before I do anything on steel.

What are everyone's thoughts about grinding the bevels after HT? I feel like I get better feedback from the steel which makes it easier to feel what I'm doing. But that's only on cleaning bevels after HT. I've never done it entirely after HT.
 
You'll notice on the transition there's some rough scratches. I'm sure that's from using the edge of the platen to blend. I figure on steel I could use a sanding block and paper to clean that up and make it even. At least in my mind it should work like that :D
 
For blades thinner than about 5mm I do all the grinding after heat treat, thicker than that I'll do some rough grinding before heat treating.
I do also use a hard sanding block and some 80 to 120 grit sandpaper to refine bevels and surfaces. Play around with different sanding blocks; I use a steel one, wooden ones, and a cork one. Harder blocks help with more defined bevel lines
 
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