bubble jig reviews?

I had one briefly. Takes some getting use too, at least it did for me. I decided that by the time I learned to use it effectively, I could use that same time to practice grinding free hand. There are a lot of people who love it and if I'd spent the time using it, I'm sure I would have found it useful as well. But my long term goal was to learn to grind freehand for several reasons and now I'm glad I did. Prior to owning the Bubble Jig, I built a jig from plans I saw on YouTube and this jig worked very well. I turned out quite a few decent knives with it. (It's this video) I ended up giving my Bubble Jig to another knife maker last Christmas and I think he liked it.
 
Fred's Bubble Jig is a great tool for certain aspects of knifemaking. I mostly make knives with broad flat-ground primary bevels... and do not use the Bubble Jig for grinding those. I DO, however, use the Bubble Jig for nearly every false-edge or clip-grind that I do. The jig is very useful in approaching the grinder at a consistent angle when the narrowness of the bevel makes it difficult to index by feel. I hope this makes sense.
The bottom line, for me, is that the cleanliness of my clip grinds improved immediately (and by leaps-and-bounds) when I received my Bubble Jig. :thumbup:

Erin
 
I really like mine and have seen improvements in my grinding in the last 3 blades since I got it.
 
I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. It has paid for itself again and again just in the time it saves me not to mention all the steel I wasted before getting the bubble jig. To me it is just as important of a tool as my drill press. Moon.
 
Erin Burke said:
Fred's Bubble Jig is a great tool for certain aspects of knifemaking. I mostly make knives with broad flat-ground primary bevels... and do not use the Bubble Jig for grinding those. I DO, however, use the Bubble Jig for nearly every false-edge or clip-grind that I do. The jig is very useful in approaching the grinder at a consistent angle when the narrowness of the bevel makes it difficult to index by feel. I hope this makes sense.
The bottom line, for me, is that the cleanliness of my clip grinds improved immediately (and by leaps-and-bounds) when I received my Bubble Jig. :thumbup:

Erin
Click to expand...

What he said. I don't like it for primary bevels. I can't live without it for false edges.
 
I really like it for setting the main bevel at lower grits. When I switch to say 220 grit and higher I will usually do freehand at that point because I have set my bevel angle and can go by feel. When I first started using it I had a tough time getting it coordinated looking at the knife and the jig. It took about 4 or 5 blades to really get the knack of how to watch it and hold it.

I think it is worth the money and feel that it has helped me improve my grinds.
 
Bought mine when I bought my grinder. I'd never do without anymore. I love it for consistent grinding and making swedges.
 
I purchased one long while back. I must say, after using it for awhile, I really got a feel on how to hold and move the blade. I have practiced to the point where it started to become muscle memory. I dont use it very much any more but it does give you a great foundation to start with- great for new knife makers. I still use it once in awhile for experiments. I personally would highly recommend it for folks starting off- it gives you a basic understanding and it opens the door for you to build confidence and know your on the right track- this could be priceless for makers just starting off.
It also helped me gain confidence with different grinds. I think it priceless.
If your a noob and do not have access to a mentor, the bubble jig will be your friend- in my opinion--Thanks-Mark
 
As a hobby maker who only makes a few knives a year--and so who doesn't grind enough to develop muscle memory--it can take a lot of frustration out of stepping up to the grinder after a long break.
 
Never needed one. I think if I got one I would get to dependent on it, I get a little nervous without my plunge stop now that I have one.
 
Even though I'm in a good position to give a review; I think it best if I leave that to people who grind with the Bubble Jig and have made the investment to own one.
I can say this; I've really enjoyed sharing this idea with people who want to make knives. A couple of things have come as a result of me sharing this grinding technique. One is it has helped to keep hundreds of new makers at the grinder; people who might have dropped out, stayed at it because they found they could grind; it didn't take months or years, but days or weeks. The more new makers we have joining the ranks the better.

Also, the conversation on line has changed over the last few years. Makers talk in terms of degrees and angles when discussing bevels and secondary angles at the edge. In so doing its made the conversation more inclusive adding people to the discussion because the discussion is more interesting and its easier to understand. I can talk with someone in California about a knife I just ground and they can reproduce it from the information that we exchange. Knives are all about distance and angle.

Greg, I enjoyed your comment about becoming dependent on this tool if you got one. Thats true with all tools in the shop; they should all be dependable and you should be able to depend on them. You are correct in that this is a very dependable tool. :D:D

So no matter how you use this tool, or any tool in the shop for that matter, remember to work smarter not harder.

Happy grinding, Fred
 
I think it is a great device. Pretty simple and very helpfull. I just look at it as another thing to help me out around the shop. Just like anything else. Good Job Fred.
 
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