Dagger thickness/wheel daimeter

[NickWheeler]

I've been doing a lot of double hollow grinds in fighters and such, but I always have done flat grinds on daggers until now.

I'm wondering what you feel is the best steel thickness for say a 9"x1" blade. 0.25"???

And what diameter wheel for a super crisp centerline? I'm thinking my 2" wheel???

Also, how close to the center line do you take the grind prior to heat-treat. I've seen one maker that takes it right to the center prior, and another that leaves about a 0.125" flat in the center prior to heat-treat.

Thoughts???

Thanks in advance.

Nick

 

[Bruce Bump]

Nick, I like to keep the steel thick in daggers, about 1/4". I usually use a 8" wheel but always thought the 5" would pick up more light and give that nice crest in the center. Flat doesnt do it for me on daggers anymore. For a wider blade I use a 10". I usually mill in a fuller down a section of center line. Ive never had trouble with warpage during the heat-treat so I think you would be fine going almost to final size before HT. if the steel has been normalized and annealed properly that is. I have the videos by Dr. Jim Hrisoulas amd He grinds the entire blade in the finished hardness. Hope this helps. Bruce

 

[NickWheeler]

Bruce-

Thanks for the quick response. I agree totally on the flat grind not really doing it for me anymore on the daggers.

Does the Hirousalas video show Jim hollow or flat grinding. I was told that video is worth the price just to see him grind the blade.

ps- Due to truck problems I didn't make it to the Yakima show to meet you, are there any coming up?

Thanks Bruce

Nick

 

[Bruce Bump]

Nick, Yes he is hollow grinding with what looks like a 10" wheel. Do You want to borrow the set of videos? He walks entirely though a great damascus dagger. Even shows pattern welding the damascus.
We will have to get together sometime maybe on your side of the mountain. Yakima gun show is in 2 weeks again.
Really, Email me about the videos.
Bruce