First Blade Help

blgoode

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
7,145
Before you say...practice. What are some tips to keeping the edge straight? I have about a 3/4" bevel on 3/16" stock. The blade is about 7 " in length. Also what angle should this have? Very new so anything will help. Oh yeah, 01 steel.
 
If you cross file that is the file going across the blade and you file too long in the same spot you will see a wavy edge to the knife.

Start with a centerline scratched or ink marked around the cutting edge. I use a home made scrstch gauge . A flat piece of steel or brass
3/8 thich 1 and a half or 2 inch square. A 3/8th hole drilled in the center of the ssquare. Put a 3/8 rod through the hole with a sharp hard nail at 90 degrees. drill and tap a 1/4 hole through the 3/8 edge tap in a thread use it to lock the rod in place. adjust it to half the thickness of the blade and scratch around. you will be able to see how you are going.

SO next insted of cross filling hold the file flat on the blade and pluu the file down the length of the blade toward you. This is called draw filling. once you get closs you can use a flat piece of wood with sand paper to smooth it off.

If you get pushing and pulling up and down the length of the blade with the blade at right angles to the edge , that is with a hand either side be carefull not to cut yourself on the side and not to stab yourself on the point. No a real good explanation but se how you go. Any english teaches feel fre to help out with a more descriptive entry.
 
I think I have done pretty good so far. I will work on her a long time tomorrow.........I have a 4" bench top sander with 50 to 120 grit plus a bastard file. Hope this goes okay. I guess the object is to have both sides the same angle. Once I get the grind andgle in, whats the best way to get the 20 degree edge angle?
 
Originally posted by blgoode
Once I get the grind andgle in, whats the best way to get the 20 degree edge angle?
Click to expand...


That is the absolute last thing you do on the knife, when EVERYTHING ELSE is completed, including the sheath.
That's the best way to keep all your fingers.:eek: ;)

Holding the knife at a 20 degree angle across the platen when sharpening should do it.;) :D
 
Thanks you blokes for being gentle with me. Just a bit of trivia when microsoft supply microsoft word they provide a selection of spell checkers there is an Australian version and US version.

Blgoode I went out an took a couple of digital pics of my blade holding clamp it is easy to make. There are heaps around but this one is what I use. If you want a pic send an email to reg_ellery@optusnet.com.au put blade forum as the title so I recognise the name and don't delete it.
 
Here's a pic of the setup I use for sanding/drawfiling. I took the idea directly from Wayne Goddard's book $50 Knife Shop. It consists of a one-inch block of wood made from a split 1x4. There's also a piece of steel taped to the underside of the wood to keep the clamp from crunching it.

**Disclaimer - I'm VERY new to this.**

On the project shown here (my first), I started by drawfiling along the the length of the blade, mostly pushing away from myself. Then I graduated to a wood block with sandpaper, and finally followed with the leather beanbag with various grades of sandpaper. This resulted in a convex profile with a surprisingly (to me anyway) straight edge. Hope this helps.
 
quess I'd better get to work! I need a camera..............that later.
 
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