Flat Grinding Technique

Whit

Whit

Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
729
It's always hard to describe grinding technique in words, but this is a pretty simple question.

Do you ALWAYS start at the ricasso and grind to the tip in each pass? Do any of you start at the tip and come back? After a grinding class last weekend at Tannehill, I tried to change (improve) my technique and man, did I screw up a nice blade! I know it's "different strokes", but I'm always looking to improve! How do you do it?
 
I grind from the ricasso to the point, edge up so I can see and feel what I'm doing. I think it would be harder to get a good taper to the point the other way. :confused:
Scott
 
I don't flat grind, and I'm not a very good grinder....but generally I start a little bit in front of where I want the plunge to be, grind back to it and then back to the tip. This keeps the plunge area a lot cleaner for me than, trying to get on the bevel, and hit the plunge just right at the same time.

I wouldn't start at the tip, because thats generally a narrow part of the grind and it will be harder to feel if your back on the bevel where you want to be, or if if your angle is a little off.
 
I wouldn't say your not good at grinding Matt. The knife I got from you looks great. ;)
Scott
 
Great, I start my new job (with knifemaker friendly hours) next week. You still coming here?
 
Not for awhile, no 8 slots available. I am still trying though, just maybe 6-12 months. You were going to work in Bldg 4 right?
 
I start at the ricasso to set my plunges and go to the tip to start. Once I've done that I'll start a grind from anywhere between the two (plunge grind/tip), depending on high/low spots. I was doing full passes only during the grinding of a blade when I started out but, that's really not necessary until your doing your final passes and cleaning everything up.
 
J. Neilson said:
I start at the ricasso to set my plunges and go to the tip to start. Once I've done that I'll start a grind from anywhere between the two (plunge grind/tip), depending on high/low spots. I was doing full passes only during the grinding of a blade when I started out but, that's really not necessary until your doing your final passes and cleaning everything up.
Click to expand...
That's true J. I find my self doing that also when I'm finishing up the grind.
Scott
 
GA??? WHAT???? GEORGIA!!! Oh my! I'm going to have knifemaking neighbors??? Fellas, we've gotta hook up and get some shop time together!! I've been dying to hang out with some other makers! Seriously fellas, let's HOOK UP!! You guys can play on my new Bader!!

As far as flat grinding goes,
Well, not to hijack the thread, but I have been having issues on how to tie in the top of the plunge where it meets the spine.
When I am going to take my flat grind ALL the way to the spine, HOW do I tie the plunge in and make it look right??? I keep ending up with a plunge line that just goes straight up to the dang spine, and it doesn't look quite right to me.
Any tips fellas??
I have seen many flat ground knives, where the plunge line just seems to go up towards the spine, and kind of mysteriously "disappear" out into flat grinding heaven....
Ahhh to be there........

Any tips guys???
 
Razor are you coming to the Blade show in June? I'll be there and hope to meet some of you guys. About the plunge line, for me it's all in the amount of pressure you use while grinding. I use different pressure in different areas to make that plunge disappear at the top and even and smooth out the grind. It's so hard to explain without showing someone.
Scott
 
I knew you were going to say that..!! Hehe... I'd give my left one to be able to hang out with someone for just a few minutes to pick up on these little tips that have to be shown in person...

Hell yes I'm going to BLADE!! Glad to see you will make it too! We will have to hook up for sure!
Maybe you can throw me a little knowledge there bud!

I love these little grinding threads. Even though they get repeated over and over, someone always comes in and mentions some valuable little tip or hint that helps me improve..
Now to find someone to who knows how to grind really well to hang out with....
 
That sounds like a plan for June! I'm far from having the knowledge as some of the other guys here. I'm still learning and will always be learning. This is a never ending learning process. J. would be a good one to talk to also. I've seen his knives in person, talk about some smooooth flat grinds. :D
Scott
 
y'all might shoot me, but....


I flat grind edge-down and I start an inch from the tip, go to the bolster, then to the tip and then back to the bolster.

I agree with the varying-the-pressure thing. I put the blade gently against the platen until it is fully contacted and then lean into it good (only takes a half-second). Also, I've noticed that I don't put enough pressure on the bolster end, so I end up spending more time there.
 
Pressure is definately part of the key. I do go to extremes with it. I do most of my grinding with a 36 grit 977 Ceramic belt from 3M. I like these cause you have to run them fast and push hard and I push hard when I grind. About 80% of my grind is done by the time I switch to a 60 grit. With this I pretty much bring the top edge to just a hair below where I want it to be. Then I ease up a bit on the pressure and go through my Klingspor 220, 400, 600 belt and I'm pretty much just removing scratches at that point, being gentle and blending the whole knife together from tip to spine. Don't know if that made any sense or not. Too bad your not closer Razorhunter, you'd be welcome to come up here and hang out at the grinder for a day. See you at the Blade Show.
 
It's nice to know you'd let me come hang in your shop for a day bro.
Hell, might have to go to PA one day. I've never travelled much, but then, that's only because I've never really had a reason too.
Anyhow, most definitely will see you fellas at BLADE!!
 
My technique is pretty much how J. described it. Once I went back to that method, I saved the blade I was working on. I guess it really is to each his own.

As for knifemakers around Atlanta, you might look up Rade Hawkins. I just met him for the first time last weekend at Batson's. He's a great guy and has been making knives about as long as I've been alive. He could probably show you just about anything you need to know. He is in the supplies business too, so a good guy to know!
 
This is a flat grind I was working on yesterday. It's 5160, 1/4" thick. This one was time consuming to grind not only because of being 1/4" but it's 1 3/4" wide. The grind blends about a 1/4" from the spine. Not a full flat grind.

flatgrind.JPG


spine.JPG


This is a look at the spine.
Scott
 
Hey Whit,
Rade Hawkins lives about 3 or 4 miles from me. I visit his shop from time to time. Some people are really eager to show you, and others who are consumed with selling supplies, and other things, don't have a lot of time to share.
He is a nice guy, and I give him all the business I can. I've only known him for a few months though. We'll see what happens...
 
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