Curved bevel line help

R

remfallen

Joined
Jan 2, 2024
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Who can tell me why I’m getting this curved bevel line when grinding instead of a nice straight one? I think I just noticed my platen is at the slightest angle and not flat with the belt. Also I was using a worn belt. Could either of those be the issue? Thanks!

Image - https://ibb.co/tMzjy8B
 
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It's actually common for new knife makers, has to do with the amount of belt that has touched that area OR the amount of pressure. There are video's that explain this issue and how to correct it but basically don't start your grind there every time. You will get better, I would suggest practicing on junk steel, like the stuff you can't make knives with, low carbon stuff you can get for welding projects at the big box hardware stores.
 
mooniesdl3 said:
It's actually common for new knife makers, has to do with the amount of belt that has touched that area OR the amount of pressure. There are video's that explain this issue and how to correct it but basically don't start your grind there every time. You will get better, I would suggest practicing on junk steel, like the stuff you can't make knives with, low carbon stuff you can get for welding projects at the big box hardware stores.
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This pretty much sums it up. Looks like you’re pressing a little hard on the edge of the belt/platen at the plunge. For me it’s generally an issue with my off hand rolling the blade into the edge of the belt, not the hand pressing it against the platen. Start your grind in the middle of the blade and ease your way to either end. Focus on applying even pressure on the middle of your platen. It just takes a while to get the feel for it but you’ll get there. Go slow, you can easily straighten up that line. If you ruin it don’t get frustrated, we’ve all done it.
 
mooniesdl3 said:
It's actually common for new knife makers, has to do with the amount of belt that has touched that area OR the amount of pressure. There are video's that explain this issue and how to correct it but basically don't start your grind there every time. You will get better, I would suggest practicing on junk steel, like the stuff you can't make knives with, low carbon stuff you can get for welding projects at the big box hardware stores.
Click to expand...
Could you possibly link me one of those videos your talking about? Ive been looking and looking for videos talking about this specifically and I cant seem to find anything. Everyone just kinda jumps into it and doesn't go over the basics. I can do a good flat grind, but I dont really like the way that looks on knifes.
 
ScarFoot said:
This pretty much sums it up. Looks like you’re pressing a little hard on the edge of the belt/platen at the plunge. For me it’s generally an issue with my off hand rolling the blade into the edge of the belt, not the hand pressing it against the platen. Start your grind in the middle of the blade and ease your way to either end. Focus on applying even pressure on the middle of your platen. It just takes a while to get the feel for it but you’ll get there. Go slow, you can easily straighten up that line. If you ruin it don’t get frustrated, we’ve all done it.
Click to expand...
I agree im rolling to much at the point. It just always seems if I pull straight across and start to angle towards the tip, I dont end up touching the tip enough so I end up rolling to much. Trying to correct that.
 
my you tube video would show you how not to do an crisp plunge but a sweeping plunge is not your goal . not sure it would help you correct your issue. keeping all movement in check and starting at the same point is a big help
 
Walter Sorrells has a video that I go back to often as a beginner, try searching "belt grinding problems...and how to fix them"
 
butcher_block said:
my you tube video would show you how not to do an crisp plunge but a sweeping plunge is not your goal . not sure it would help you correct your issue. keeping all movement in check and starting at the same point is a big help
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Do you have a link to that vid? Or how can I find it?
 
remfallen said:
I agree im rolling to much at the point. It just always seems if I pull straight across and start to angle towards the tip, I dont end up touching the tip enough so I end up rolling to much. Trying to correct that.
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The point is easy to overgrind and if you’re not careful you’ll grind a curve into the tip of your knife or burn it up. I’m more referring to your tang hand rolling the blade into the edge of the belt which is why your bevel is so much higher at the plunge line. Try to focus on your tang hand moving the blade across the platen without applying any pressure. The pressure into the platen comes from the other hand and make sure you‘re only applying pressure over the platen not off the sides. What kind of grinder are you using? 2x72 or something else? Is it variable speed? You mentioned some platen alignment issues too. Did you mean the edge of the belt is not parallel to the edge of the platen or that your platen is not making full contact with the belt? Do you have a picture?

From the photo it also looks like you’re using some type of fixture to set your angle. Is that correct? If so, there’s nothing wrong with that but I’d encourage you to start learning to freehand once you have a good flat established on your bevel. As counterintuitive as it sounds I find it easier to correct issues without the guide. It takes time to get a feel for it and you’ll probably mess up a lot but that‘s the best way to learn. You’ll get much better feedback through your hands than you will through a fixture.

As others have said, there are some very informative videos on the subject that explain it much better. You’ve got a good start there. Watch a few videos, take your time and you should be able to get it sorted out. If you mess up, grab another one and try again.
 
This rest geatly improved my grinding. It takes away one of the three dimentions you have to control while grinding but it still allows you to hold the knife at any angle you like.
It goes past the wheel and I move it to either side when grinding the left bevel/right bevel.

20231207-103416.jpg
 
One thing I would also consider is good light and watch where you are taking the material off by looking above the knife edge/grind. You are probably approaching the platen at slight angle as you contact the belt.
 
Not an expert by any means.
I have run into this issue. I covered the blade with dychem, then scribed a line along the edge using the highest point of the grind there at the plunge line. Do this to both sides so they match. If you want a round corner on the top of the grind scrib the line a little higher and then try to spend very little time at the plunge when grinding.
Starting in the center grind towards the plunge line and tip, do not go all the way to the plunge line until the grind is almost to the scribe line all the way across. When you get there then make long full blade passes to blend it together.
I'd probably use a 120 grit so it doesn't take off much each pass.
It takes some finese so grind and check it often.
 
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remfallen said:
Could you possibly link me one of those videos your talking about? Ive been looking and looking for videos talking about this specifically and I cant seem to find anything. Everyone just kinda jumps into it and doesn't go over the basics. I can do a good flat grind, but I dont really like the way that looks on knifes.
Click to expand...

Walter has great videos for beginners, and anyone else that needs some help.
 
Hengelo_77 said:
This rest geatly improved my grinding. It takes away one of the three dimentions you have to control while grinding but it still allows you to hold the knife at any angle you like.
It goes past the wheel and I move it to either side when grinding the left bevel/right bevel.

20231207-103416.jpg
Click to expand...
Is that just a piece of angle iron/L beam clamped to the table?
 
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