Chisel Grinding

A

Arkham Drifter

Joined
Sep 29, 1999
Messages
195
I would love to know how to execute a true and clean chisel grind. Does one accomplish this by grinding freehand or are there methods that allow for increased control?
I seem to recall an article years ago in Fighting Knives about Phil Hartsfield in which the author mentioned that Phil had developed some means of controlling his grinds although I am guessing that its proprietary.;)
 
Drifter, I don't know what you're grinding with but if I wanted to do some chisel grinds I'd just get some oak and cut a wedge/ramp at the angle I needed to set the blade on and and push it into the platent.You might even be able to adjust the platent at a sufficient angle to just use the stock support on your grinder. Or, I bet with some practice you would be grinding out slick blades in no time.
 
Freehand,And practice-practice-practice
That way you will be working on your grinding skills as you go,jigs work great but you also get asked to do things that you have to grind freehand,as there is no other way to do them.
Bruce
 
Hello

Most of the belt grinders around come witha a tool rest on their flat grinding setup. Just make sure to be able to get back to the same position once you found the angle that suits your need, otherwise each new blade will be different from the others.
 
Thanks for all the tips on how to accomplish a chisel grind.
I will be working with an inexpensive Craftsman 2X42 grinder which I just bought so I am not sure how precise the rest is on that machine. I am sure that I'll be practicing lots of freehand grinding either way.
 
i do mine freehand, also a proper chesel grind is based on the flat being on the inside of the body. forget the tactical emerson stuff that is a fashion statement. the grind is for a lefty. this grind cuts clean no tear. the 10" sushi/ sashmi knife i make(no pic on site :( ) if the personis right handed you grind the obverse side of the blade. the reason is your strength and control is on the inside of the body, so when you hear people complain that the blade rolls over on them its because the grind is on the the inside.
 
What RHINO said,like this.Dave:)

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Arkham,

I have that smae grinder. Take a wood block and cut it at an angle. Use that wood block to set the angle on your tool rest! Using the block sets your table to the same angle each time, so if you get the block cut to the right angle, you're good to go.

P.s., a similar technique is used for dovetailing bolsters/handle materials.
 
Crayola,
Thanks for the tip! Now, about the block's angle...Hmmm, I should have payed more attention in Trig class! :( I think a little trial and error may be in my future. ;)
BTW have you had any trouble getting your grinder's rest set to a true 90 degree from the platen? When I tighten my rest into place it gives under the tightening pressure which literally pulls the rest off kilter. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
 
Yeah, take a 2x4. it just so happens that they cut those things so that you get all kinds of 90 degree angles! And you don't have to pull out the trig books either.
 
Crayola,
I think I understand what you mean. You place the 2x4 underneath the rest to support it thereby giving it a 90 degree angle to the platen? Additionally, I could use any angle block support to acheive the corresponding angle of my rest to the platen?
Thatnks again!
 
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