Flat grinding question

[John L]

I have only made hollow ground folders in the past and now want to try flat ground fixed blade knives. What arm on the KMG do most grind with? Are all convex blades ground with slack belt? Thanks for any help.

 

[AwP]

I can't really help with the flat grind question, since I mostly do convex and I don't have a KMG. About the convex I can help though, most makers use the slack belt for convex, but not all. Some have a platen modified for convex, either it has a soft backing like foam, it has a convex shape to it (concave really, but it makes the blade convex), or there's these platens I forget the name of but they're stiff rubber on rollers. Some people also do it by hand on a stone or sandpaper, the Japanese are probably the best example of doing it by hand.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Use a flat platen.Finish by hand on a flat granite slab (with 220 to 2000 wet or dry).You can get near optically flat blades this way.

 

[DanielPrentice]

Flat Grinding:

I use the flat platen from Rob Fink on my home built for the initial flat grinding on large blades then I will use my 6X48 craftsman for the clean-up. If you put a tempered glass or ceramic platen to either or both of them, you will always have a flat surface, It helps......

I am thinking about making my 6X48 variable speed now...... But when I have small blades I may just use the flat platen or the small section on Rob's Rotary platen that I have.... Tighten it up and is almost flat.... I don't think it is enough to be called a convex.....

Daniel

btw, I am trying the ceramic plates from Mr. Ellis... can't wait..... you can see my shop on my site.