- Joined
- Mar 26, 2004
- Messages
- 1,617
This is a begginers tutorial I made today. I got a question on how to make flat surfaces and since I was answering, I took some pictures. Maybe it can help someone just begining with knives 
I always try to forge as close to the final shape of the blade as possible, but I also need to grind the forged steel to take it to the exact final shape.
In order to shape the blade into form, and mostly on the flat parts, I use a bench stone grinder and a disk grinder.
If you prefer, instead of a bench stone grinder, you can also use a belt grinder
I work the knives by hand, I don't have any guides for angles or anything like that.
As final stage and to accomplish excellent flat surfaces, correcting the small imperfections the machines might have left, I use a very simple device, made with a rectangular pipe section (2x1") and a piece of sand paper secured on the interior of the pipe
This way, I have a fixed flat sanding surface, and once it's placed on the vise, I have both hands to move the blade and control every simple aspect of the last grind, making sure the final result will be a perfectly flat surface.
You can also use this device to work on the curved sides, moving the blade accordingly. This way you'll get a really smooth finish on every single part of the blade.
Working by hand will obviously take more time than using a machine, but since I have more control over the exact form of the blade, I prefer it this way.
Regards,
Ariel
I always try to forge as close to the final shape of the blade as possible, but I also need to grind the forged steel to take it to the exact final shape.
In order to shape the blade into form, and mostly on the flat parts, I use a bench stone grinder and a disk grinder.
If you prefer, instead of a bench stone grinder, you can also use a belt grinder
I work the knives by hand, I don't have any guides for angles or anything like that.
As final stage and to accomplish excellent flat surfaces, correcting the small imperfections the machines might have left, I use a very simple device, made with a rectangular pipe section (2x1") and a piece of sand paper secured on the interior of the pipe
This way, I have a fixed flat sanding surface, and once it's placed on the vise, I have both hands to move the blade and control every simple aspect of the last grind, making sure the final result will be a perfectly flat surface.
You can also use this device to work on the curved sides, moving the blade accordingly. This way you'll get a really smooth finish on every single part of the blade.
Working by hand will obviously take more time than using a machine, but since I have more control over the exact form of the blade, I prefer it this way.
Regards,
Ariel
