Getting that nice straight bevel?

D

David0930

Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
6
I'm making my first "real" knife using files, sandpaper and my angle grinder and I'm trying to figure out, before I get to far, how to get that nice straight 1/4" bevel you get with a belt grinder. is it possible or do i just need to file and sand from the spine to the edge on this one? I've looked on the newbie threads and don't see anything specific on that. Thanks for helping out. I really am addicted to this already and this forum is great!
 
Look at the filing techniques in the stickys, also search draw filing. You dont need any special jig
 
Go on Youtube and look up" knife file Jig " and you will get some ideas
 
Think Lansky Sharpener and then transfer that framework (on a larger scale) to a file/rod setup. As stated above there are YouTube videos out.
I would also suggest you try to do some of the work free hand so you can start recognizing angles and learning to hold your files on a straight plane. The cool thing about working with a file is you can see each pass and see if you are staying on plane or off angle. A Sharpie or marker is your friend. Use it often to see where you are removing material.
Good luck!
 
Bingo! Thanks guys. I looked on you tube and also the Lansky analogy and that did it! I'm headed to town to get what I need to make a jig.
 
Great! Can't wait to see how it turns out. Just don't be in a rush (even though I always am).
 
I'm going to toss in my 2 cents worth.

I fail to see how a rigid jig can do any better than your arm attached to your hand attached to a file and guided by your eyes and brain. That is a jig that works. If you can't file a simple bevel that is 1/4" tall, how can you shape an entire knife?
Also, the jig is fine for a straight line, but will change the angle and bevel height as it goes around a curve....like a knife tip. You eyes will see this and adjust your hand angle. After about twenty strokes it should be almost automatic.

If you can only file with a jig, then you will need a sanding jig, and a polishing jig, and a sharpening jig....well you get my point.
 
Ugh.... he was asking for some help.

A filing jig can get him his angles set and then he can choose to free hand it from there if he wants to.

bladsmth said:
I'm going to toss in my 2 cents worth.

I fail to see how a rigid jig can do any better than your arm attached to your hand attached to a file and guided by your eyes and brain. That is a jig that works. If you can't file a simple bevel that is 1/4" tall, how can you shape an entire knife?
Also, the jig is fine for a straight line, but will change the angle and bevel height as it goes around a curve....like a knife tip. You eyes will see this and adjust your hand angle. After about twenty strokes it should be almost automatic.

If you can only file with a jig, then you will need a sanding jig, and a polishing jig, and a sharpening jig....well you get my point.
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He asked if he could do it by hand, and I said Yes. I stated my opinion about filing jigs. If he, or you, chooses to do it that way, I have no objection, but think that a better way is to learn to control your hand.
 
bladsmth said:
He asked if he could do it by hand, and I said Yes. I stated my opinion about filing jigs. If he, or you, chooses to do it that way, I have no objection, but think that a better way is to learn to control your hand.
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Being sarcastic does not help. You know I work with a belt grinder as I posted the build here.

What I told him to look for on Youtube helped him for what he was looking for as he stated before you put in as you say your " 2 cents". If he finds using a jig will help him out to begin with lets not make him feel bad about using it and not doing it freehand.

Lots of famous makers use all kinds of Jigs in their knifemaking. Some do not even worry about "learn how to control your hand" and use CNC to make their blades.

The OP asked for some help... and he got it.
 
Come on.... Really? Stacy is advising him that it's possible to learn a foundational technique to do what he was wanting to do... It is.... How'd this get into a jig vs freehand hurt feelings side track?

To the OP. Are you looking to do a scandi grind or a partial flat grind?
 
AVigil said:
Being sarcastic does not help.
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I detected absolutely no sarcasm in Stacy's posts.

What I told him to look for on Youtube helped him for what he was looking for as he stated before you put in as you say your " 2 cents"
Click to expand...

The OP asked for some help... and he got it.
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Let me understand this. After you post your thoughts in a thread nobody else should bother to comment? And if someone does offer their thoughts, is it mannerly to offer an "ugh" response? Or accuse them of being sarcastic and making people feel bad because they suggested the importance of developing skilled hands? Dubious.
 
Good back and shoulder posture will make that file seem like a magical new tool, if that is the problem. If you tend to wrap yourself around your work, backing off and strightening your own frame out will be a great help.
 
james terrio said:
Regardless of how you set your bevels initially, draw-filing is an excellent way to make sure they're smooth and even all they down the length of the blade. Here is one link explaining it. There are many more.
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Wish I had learned this a bit sooner. I've been wasting a lot of sand paper and occasionally ruining steel trying to get it 100% perfect on the grinder. I had seen someone do it on youtube before but was later told I was doing it wrong and stopped.
 
No problem here guys! I appreciate ALL the advice. To Brian: I think I'm doing a scandi grind, which is why I wanted to make sure I get a good straight bevel line. If I was doing a spine to edge line, which I may do on my next one, I'm going to free hand and eye it as I'm filing.

All I did was set up a simple jig. I attached a 2x4 to my bench, taped my file to a piece of steel tubing and adjusted a bit when I clamped the knife down to the bench. That way I would get a consistent line as I came across the piece. Once I got that line I was able to file then look then file then look until I hit my center scribe on the edge.

Again, I'm not insulted by ANY advice. ;) Even though it doesn't take many tools or much money to make a knife, certain tools, jigs, etc. make a difference.
 
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