grind lines

B

Bill Gibbs

Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Messages
8
I consistently seem to be creating grind lines that are not equal side to side. when I am filing left to right i get a much better curved grind line. When going right to left my grind lines are not as well curved and equal to the other side. What am I not doing right? Is it my positioning of the blade on my jig? Or?
 
This will do better in the knife making section. General Knife Discussion is geared more for finished knives, production, semi customs, etc.
 
I have the same problem. I will be interested to see what others say. I figure that it is because I'm right handed that I get greater control on one side verses the other. I grind freehand at this time because I haven't found a jig that's comfortable to use
 
For most people they tend to rely on their "Strong" hand dominant side to initiate work. You might try starting with the Weak hand side to train the muscle memory hand eye coordination then switch to the Strong hand side.

For the OP when you file are you using any type of Dye or marking fluid to set your lines to file up to?
 
Or applying more pressure. Its the same as using a grinder. If both bevels spend the same amount of time, with the same amount of pressure, at the same angle, on the belt or file then the grind lines will look the same. So, if they don't match then one of these is the culprit. If the tip of the grind line is lower then you're spending more time or applying more pressure on the plunge side than the tip. Maybe this makes sense.
 
Most hand files are directional, look at the angle of the teeth on your file. Files are basically just wide saws will very fine teeth so just like a saw the teeth only cut properly in one direction. Some double cut files that have the crosshatch look to them will work in both directions because they have teeth running in both directions but a straight cut hand file needs to be run perpendicular to the teeth so they can actually grab and cut. Hope that helps More info on the jig and files being used would give a better chance of figuring out what the problem might be

Cheers
 
I am struggling getting my grind lines to be consistent. I get a great grind line when filing left to right. When I work right to left, the flatter the grind I work toward, the grind lines get deformed. Any pointers from the pros?
 
I'm not a pro, but this is what I do... Cover the blade with dye-chem, scribe the lines you want on the blade. Include thickness of the blade, and height of the grind on the flat of the blade.

Start with a 45 degree bevel down the length of the blade at the blade edge. Then "walk" the grind up the blade until it is one flat surface from edge to the end of your bevel.

As you approach your planned lines, switch to draw filling to flatten everything out.

If one area is higher than the rest, concentrate your work there, avoid working on the lower spots.

Work slowly and carefully, match your grinding to your planned lines.

That's about it!
 
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Thanks. I do set my lines with a marker to guide me as you suggest... I can see that setting the start angle at 45 degrees is a better plan... draw filing is not something that I have considered. At this stage I have a blade that I now need to take to a full flat grind to correct the grind line issues...
 
I took the advice to slow down, then draw file to flatten the grind. In doing that I was able to correct earlier mistakes and reclaim a blade that I had set aside as unusable. The draw filing not only created a flatter finish, it will save me tons of time on the sanding process before going to heat treat.
 
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