First Attempt at Hollow Grinding...Critiques Please

CDHumiston

CDHumiston

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Feb 17, 2009
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I am working on a knife for a contest and need some critiques and recommendations on my first attempt at Hollow Grinding a blade.

Please take a look at this one and let me have your honest opinions and suggestions.

Thanks,
Chris
 
Great first grind.Obviously you over-ran your plunge cut so it will need to be re-done.I can see three distinct grinds on the front side that need to be blended into one.The grind is higher on the back side than the front.The grind needs to be higher on each side and I think a straight grind line would look better.:)
 
Chris,
One Or two wobbles for a first try on a coarse grit..
NOW Refine it some more than change to finer belts.
Than Go to 400grit for a prehardened blade finish.
Stay with sharp belts they will stay in the hollow grind easier.
Heck, not bad for a first try!!!
Good Luck!!!!
 
Not bad for a first attempt.

The tips and tricks for offhand grinding have been gone over many times, so I won't go into a great deal of detail.

A critique: I generally try to keep the distance from the edge to the grind line a uniform distance, as measured perpendicular to the edge. Not always - but that is usually my goal. I also turn the blade some at the belly to keep the grind more perpendicular to the edge - not everybody does it that way, but I like the results better.
 
I'm new to this, but thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.
I was also taught to keep the grind parallel to the edge. To do this you have to rock the blade when you get to the curved parts, trying to keep just the part of the knife the grinder is touching level with the ground.

Looks great other than that. I don't know about you, but the hardest part for me was following the same line each pass so I didn't end up with different, overlapping grinding marks.
 
Thank you all for the honest evaluations. This is exactally what I was looking for. If anyone else has any advice I am listening!
 
Better than my first attempt not to bad everything on it can be fixed
 
Bama said:
Better than my first attempt not to bad everything on it can be fixed
Click to expand...

I know it needs some work and the previous post have pointed out some things. What in your opinion needs work? I welcome your comments.

Should I heat treat at this point and do the fixing when the blade is in a hardened state?
 
barnett25 said:
I don't know about you, but the hardest part for me was following the same line each pass so I didn't end up with different, overlapping grinding marks.
Click to expand...

That is by far the hardest part for me! I had grind lines going everywhere on my first Flat Grind. It went in the scrap pile...
 
Chris Im just learning too and thats not bad. I have troubles with lots of little issues like how do I mount my hollow grinding jig to my grinder. If I could do that I wouldnt free hand hollow grind anymore. The only thing I see you need to improve on is the ricaso area is a little sloppy but mine are no better. Free hand is hard to do but once you start doing them youll find it better than flatt grinding. I dont meant to bust open a can of worms but its a fact that a hollow ground knife holds a edge longer because of the way its ground inward. I have done convex , flat and hollow with a convex edge. The main thing I find is good steel holds a edge and I havent found a better steel than CPM154 for the money that doesnt rust. I have been hollow grinding today right up to 3000 grit and love every second of it. kellyw
 
USE. FRESH. BELTS.

Not mostly new, not almost new, not worn.

This was what held back my grinding, and so I preach it whenever I can. Fresh belts cut cooler and cleaner, so you use less pressure which gives you greater control. If your problem was one of economy (I was convinced I needed to get as much as I could out of a belt), you'll find that its cheaper to use belts than to scrap a knife you already pissed away 4 belts on before you screwed it up.
Try this...
Put a fresh 60 or 80 grit on, clean up both sides of that blade with it. Throw it out.
Move on to a 120 grit belt. Use this one on ONE SIDE, holding the blade at just a few degrees off of the angle you used with the previous belt. That'll make the coarse scratches stand out more so you can clearly see what you need to remove.
Use a fresh 120 on the other side. Same deal.
Do it to 400.

If it doesn't improve your grinds, I'll send you a few belts and say I'm wrong.

These methods were shown to me by RJ Martin. He has a phrase, and it's the most difficult one to accept, but true nonetheless:

"Use belts like they're free!"

Good luck! Quite good for a first-time hollow grind, btw...
 
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