Can a nail nick be put on a finished knife?

[Gollnick]

I love Dremel-brand rotary tools. I've owned a series of them for decades now. Each time I burn one out, I run to get a replacement. With careful use, you can do great things with them. The ability to cut a nail nick in a blade does not surprise me, though the skill to do it with a good-looking result is exceptional. I still refer to my Dremel tool as the "lotta dammage really fast tool" because it can do just that.

I find that the trick for me in using any rotary hand tool is to prepare yourself mentally for the task. You must mentally rehearse what you wil do, you must center yourself on the task, you must focus entirely on the task, and then you must excute the task within that mindset.

Someone who uses a rotary handtool every day, a dentist or a sculpture some such thing, will do these things naturally.

I used to work for a company that employed an amazing machinest to do prototypes. You could sit down with him and say, "I've got an idea for a part that sort of shaped like this... and it works like this..." while sketching on the whiteboard. And like a therapist drawing out his patient's emotions, this guy would ask questions and draw out your ideas and requirments and brainstorm with you on the board and then an hour later, give you your dream part absolutely perfect. To watch him run a milling machine (not CNC, but by hand) or use a rotary handtool was poetry. But he was "in the zone" when he did this, mentally completely focused upon the task. It was like watching a fantastic concert pianist as the music just flows from his mind, through his fingers, and out the piano.

This is a rare capablity.

 

[roughedges]

I wouldn't want to try doing it with a dremel. The foredom that skybone linked to is an entirely different beast though, much better chance of success with one of those. A fella I worked for also had a flex shaft custom built in England that was the beefiest I've ever seen. The motor rode on a 4 wheel pedestal and the line running to the bit was a good 3/4" thick. I think that is one flex shafted tool that would cut a nick in hardened steel without any doubt.

But a dremel? Think I'd rather try it by hand, at least in hardened steel.

 

[shaldag]

Skybone-try it before you recommend it! It's not as easy as you think.

I know how easy it is! I don't use a cheap Dremel, but with a quality flex-shaft mach. and a seperating disc ,I could teach you that there is more than one way to "think"! Consider who you might be addressing, before you assume that person is as incapable as you may be! We're talking about a fingernail groove , not rocket science!

Skydog
I'm quite sure I'm just a rank amateur compared to you. Where can I get one of those fancy "flex shaft" machines? And can you explain how to use it? And just whom MIGHT I be addressing?

Hey Bill--maybe if you ask nicely, skybone will take you on as an apprentice.

Maybe you could teach him proper spelling and punctuation in return.

mr Esav Benyamin, I like that name I think I have friends with that name! I will call tommorow! I know many people in Jerusalem,but all that I know, would frown on your methods

I really do wonder--why is it that when Esav admonishes someone, that persons seems to amass numerous acquaintances in Israel, best friends that are Jewish, a taste for bagels and lox, etc.etc. Anyone else notice a pattern here?

 

[bobofish]

Anyone else notice a pattern here?

Totally. That bagels and lox are delicious.

 

[sceva]

I thank those who offered good advice on if and how this could be done. I have decided that it is beyond my own skills and I will either leave it alone ( probable end result) or will send it to someone I trust to get it done.

My intente in starting this topic was simply to ask a simple question and to receice some honest answers, I have accomplished that. However, it has turned into something eles with recriminations and veiled insults between posters. I have nothing but respect for Bill DeShiv's knowledge. Skybone has shown that he has the skill to back up what he says and I respect that also although he comes off as somewhat arrogant especially in his references to Esav. Esav is a good (and patient) moderator and does not deserve to be insulted.

If I am able to I am going to close this thread now as I received my answers and I see no further need to continue to snipe at each other.