Down Under

S

Satchmo

Joined
Jan 11, 2005
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And you thought this was going to be a thread about Australia, and Crocodile Dundee I bet! He did carry a big knife as I remember.
Actually a retired friend of mine is a knifemaker (35 + years) and former employee of Randall Knives.
He grinds all of his blades by positioning the blade under the wheel, locking elbows between his legs, while moving the blade across the wheel.
He tells me that all employees at Randall during that time were taught to grind that way by a gentleman who was sent over from Europe by Randall.
I do not recall who he said the person was.
One of the advantages is supposed to be the fact that you can always see the bevel you are grinding on the blade.
I have watched him do it and his grinds are great and you can see the bevel being ground at all times. ZIP, zip and he is finished!
Just curious if anyone else uses or has tried this method?
(<: Jon
 
This gentleman must be seated on a stool in front of the grinder to be able to do this ? It sounds like his knees are bent and his bent elbows are in between them ? If thats it ? It sounds like a strong and steady way to hold on to and control the blade . Maybe I,m not reading it right and as I said it seems a good way with lots of control . Its the idea of the persons knees open in front of a rapidly turning wheel with a blade riding on it . As its an accepted practice there must be something i,m not getting from your post .
 
You know, that does make sense, the way he grinds. That's really cool, a completely new way to grind, for me. I reckon you would have your grinder sitting on the floor while doing that, huh?
 
Yes, you both are correct as he sits on a stool or chair, feet on the floor and braces his elbows/arms between his legs/knees in a very stable position. He holds the blade with both hands/fingers, underneath the contact wheel, palms up while grinding.
The position would be almost like you sitting in a chair and leaning forward to pick up a small child standing in front of you.

Actually, I have started using this method when doing the finish work after the initial grinding, as I am better able to see things.
(<: Jon
 
Jon, are you still trying this new (new to us) method of grinding? How is it working out? It sounds interesting but wouldnt it only work on hollow grinding? For flat grinding, the platen would need to be underneath but even that may be possible.
 
How does that saying go :confused: Oh yeh...... This post is worthless without pics :D Is there anyway you could get a pic of the technique ? I'm having a hard time visualizing this and I can use all the help I can get. Thanks Jon
 
I went out and tried that technique free hand w/o a stool and I found I had much more control, right and left grinding. I am sure that with a stool using your knees as a sorta support/brace it would be even better. Of course it would take me a whole lot more practice before I could get a decent grind. But when I compared it to using the top wheel, edge up with the belt comming at me I got the usual skittering, grabbing and jumping. I just used the 220 that was allready on the grinder running at 60% speed.

It is worth it to give it a try.

Thanks for the info!
 
I'm with David. I'm having a bit of trouble picturing this. Any way somebody could show us a picture, or illustration?

Thanks,

-d
 
Picture yourself sitting in front of your square wheel grinder with your knees slightly under the lower wheel. Your arms are holding the knife while resting on your legs. Sort of reading on the john posture. The knife is being held with both hands and you are passing it from from ricaso to tip while grinding.

I could have snapped a pic last night but everyone was allready asleep when I tried itl.
 
If it is like "reading on the john" It will cut down on the practice time for me. If they used this method in the Randall shop maybe they still do. Does anybody here know?
 
LMAO Thats good Bruce :D You just put it into perspective perfectly;) and just cut down the learning curve for me :) and it only gets better !
 
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