critic my grinds please

AKC said:
Obviously, the KISS principle is rather foremost in your mind, and art is a secondary consideration.

Function over form, nothing wrong with that.
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That is exactly what I'm going for. It's almost like you read my mind.
 
I like your style besides the ftw part, I think you have some cool designs kicking.

To me a 1x42 sounds difficult to get a good grind with but I understand working with what you have, my first knives were ground on a junky 4x36 and then hand finished.

I would spend a bunch of time hand sanding if I were you, I think you will be very happy with the results.

The textural stuff you are doing is very cool, the file contrasts well with the bright edge. If you hand finish you can get everything more even and it isn't too hard to get the scratches out. I think you will be much happier with 1084fg though as it will heat treat properly, you can use a checkering file to simulate the file texture. 1084 will cost you less than the files unless you are getting them used or free.

I don't want to tell you to change up your style especially if you are happy with it. I think you would be even happier if you hand finished them and used a easier steel to home heat treat.

Work hard and stay true to yourself! :D
 
Forget the files.Its too much work for nothing.If you want the look you can use checkering files on virgin steel.
 
How long have you been grinding? If this is a first for you, not too bad. Stick with it, use a sharper ceramic belt (60 grit) to profile. Dull belts or pussy grit sizes will result in blurry grind lines.
 
I've been grinding for approx a month. I use Klingspor Al Ox belts. Right now I'm hand sanding the large blade.
 
I think the grinds are novice with an undertone of urban grittyness. I like the shiv next to the forty, can you make me one.
 
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Shawn B. said:
I think the grinds are novice with an undertone of urban grittyness. I like the shiv next to the forty, can you make me one.
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Sure, no prob.
 
My grinds are nothing to brag about,but i wish i had went into debt or whatever it took and gotten myself a real 2x72 grinder years ago.I had no idea what a difference it would make.Keep your eye on your local craiglist and other sources.They cost a lot for a reason.(worth it)I still use my craftsman and Delta 1x30.But to me they suck at grinding blades.
 
Mike, go to a CalKnives or SC Blades meeting.

You'll find a bunch of guys willing to share.

You are SoCal right?
 
I thought they were pretty good? They will get the job done but I wouldn't pay big bucks for them. I am not a knife maker nor do I aspire to ever become one so my opinion may not mean shit. I'm just a guy who uses knives and these knifes could be useful.
 
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Fellhoelter said:
Mike, go to a CalKnives or SC Blades meeting.

You'll find a bunch of guys willing to share.

You are SoCal right?
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I'm in Fresno... 5 hours or so north. I'm looking into a NWG with my father in law. That would be a fun project.
 
I'm in the same boat. I love making them but everything I have made so far looks like poo. I will not give up. I also have the wrong grinder.
 
To tell you the truth, when i first saw the pics i thought you were using an angle grinder but when i looked up Kalamazoo i was surprised, i'm really surprised how you managed to make that kind of grind on a belt sander, i used to grind knives cleaner on an old motor from a washing machine mounted on a wall with a grinding wheel, but it took me a lot of trial and error before i finally developed that special feel in my fingertips and now it's a piece of cake
Practice makes perfect
sorry for being so honest but you asked for it
 
It looks like all your grinds are slack belt/convex grinds. Do you have a flat platen on your grinder? If not I'd recommend modifying/adding one. I assume the tacking can be adjusted? If so, once you have a flat platen, run the belt over the edge of the platen and use the edge to cut in your plunge lines.... Order a piece of 1" ceramic glass from Tracy at http://www.usaknifemaker.com/ for your platen....

Doing flat grinds, especially on your small knives might make them look cleaner, crisper. Your Kirdashi looks cleaner with the hollow grind....

Also, for around 100 bucks you can get 32' or more, or less 1080 steel from Kelly Cupples.
 
I prefer slack belt covex grinds. You are right on.
 
Like others said the 1x42 sander is hard to get good grinds on but its very doable. When I first used a 2x72 it was like night and day. I'm still stuck with my 1x42 though till I build a 2x72 of my own.
 
They're kind of rough, but everyone has to start somewhere.

Grinding on a 1" x 42" is going to be difficult. I'd try to at least get a 2" x 48" from Sears; at least you would have a decent platen then. A 2" x 72" is the way to go if you don't mind spending the cash.

I think your best bet will be to order a few bars of 1/8" 1080 and practice. Knives made from files are cool, but not really ideal; especially if your just starting out.

Come up with a really simple design and put a flat chisel grind on it.

Make a dozen of them and try to make each one better than the last.

Afterwards, then start thinking about adding swedges, etc.
 
Mitchell Knives said:
They're kind of rough, but everyone has to start somewhere.

Grinding on a 1" x 42" is going to be difficult. I'd try to at least get a 2" x 48" from Sears; at least you would have a decent platen then. A 2" x 72" is the way to go if you don't mind spending the cash.

I think your best bet will be to order a few bars of 1/8" 1080 and practice. Knives made from files are cool, but not really ideal; especially if your just starting out.

Come up with a really simple design and put a flat chisel grind on it.

Make a dozen of them and try to make each one better than the last.

Afterwards, then start thinking about adding swedges, etc.
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I was thinking about doing some Ti... then possibly sending em to you for carbidizing.
 
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