Grinding a Round Knife for leather work

Brian Avila

Brian Avila

Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
1,286
I have been working on figuring out how to make a round knife for a while. I am getting to the point in my leather work that the utility knife is just a pain in the ass.

I am planning on making a round knife out of some .042" thick steel, but I am having a problem with how to grind it.

How do you grind it safely and how high? I have already recked two pieces of O-1. I have tried holding onto the handle and grinding across arc to the side, and then I have tried holding the knife up ( handle down, blade arc up ) my finders get in the way the second way and I can't get an even grind because I can't see the entire edge the first way.

Please help, really frustrated....

-Brian-
 
Have you got a magnet. I would try that first just keep a finger or whatever rested against the steel so you dont over heat it.
 
i feel stupid cause im trying to figure out how the hell your going to put a edge on a round knife. lol
 
crank78 said:
i feel stupid cause im trying to figure out how the hell your going to put a edge on a round knife. lol
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I am not sure if you are serious or not.... Flat ground with some convex geometry. Depending on if I can get some more 3/64" thick steel.
 
Phil - I saw that round knife thread. I try really really hard not to resurrect older threads. I have done that a couple times and been told not to. Part of the game.
 
i was kinda serious. i know nothing of leather working. i really didn't know what a round knife was. i goggled it tho now i see.
i bet it is tough to make. i wonder if you could somehow use a disc sander.
 
crank78 said:
i was kinda serious. i know nothing of leather working. i really didn't know what a round knife was. i goggled it tho now i see.
i bet it is tough to make. i wonder if you could somehow use a disc sander.
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Sorry, I didn't know. It sounds funny in my head and I didn't know if you were poking fun. I don't have a disc grinder.... So its flat platen and a magnet for me.
 
Ya I hear what you're saying. Resurrecting (re-posting in) old threads gets a bit tricky sometimes. I still like referencing them though. For me, learning from the resource of old threads is half the power of these forums. I had those links stashed (along with others) because I aspire to making a stylized ulu someday.

TheWeatherman said:
Phil - I saw that round knife thread. I try really really hard not to resurrect older threads. I have done that a couple times and been told not to. Part of the game.
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Cool, I know I have seen those pictures before. He must have done something like that before.

Because I could swear that I looked at those pics and followed along when I was doing my first leather working for sheaths a couple years ago.
 
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Post some pics as you go Brian, I have been planning on making one of these for about a month now
 
mccandmatt said:
Post some pics as you go Brian, I have been planning on making one of these for about a month now
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I think I can do that. You want me to start a new thread about it? In fact I think that is the best way to go. I will make a thread about making the round knife.

I need to get some more steel. I think the magnet will take care of the problem I am having.
 
TheWeatherman said:
I think I can do that. You want me to start a new thread about it? In fact I think that is the best way to go. I will make a thread about making the round knife.

I need to get some more steel. I think the magnet will take care of the problem I am having.
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:thumbup:
 
Yes, please do a new wip thread. Sounds like it'll be similar to a ulu? I've thought about making a big pizza knife for some time. Would take a ton of steel and outsourced ht, but watching you do your leather knife might help make up my mind. :)
 
Do yourself a favor and google 'ooloo'. It;s an Inuit knife designed just for meat cutting but works very well on leather. I've only made one of them from an order by a friend from Houston who's a hunting guide but he loves it. I think you'd do better with a handle that trailed the blade (see hatchet shape) You'll have way more control over where the blade cuts.
 
I already have a pattern. It will be close to the tradition round knife/ head knife that the leather guys use.
 
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