grinding blanks

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dwsonar

Joined
Jan 28, 2014
Messages
21
I've seen a few pics here that have the blank edges ground to create an edge design. How is this done? Files? Can I do it to a blade blank that has already been heat treated? How difficult is it? I'm a beginner.
 
I see there are a couple threads going on file work. It sounds like doing it after HT will be tough.
 
Files would just skate over the knife after its heat treated. As Frank stated unless you have a powerful grinder you should shape your bevels before heat treat.
 
You can cut in some very basic/general shapes into a hardened blade with solid carbide burrs, stone burrs, or diamond coated burrs... but it's 100 times more work than doing it when the steel is soft, and getting a nice finish on the cut-outs will be very, very difficult.

Personally, I think most guys should leave file work alone anyway. There are a handful of guys, like slip-joint legend Bill Ruple, that do fantastic file work. But MOST guys that put file work on their blades take value away from the knife, rather than add to it. A lot of guys end up with something that looks like a beaver chewed it out. ;)
 
Okay, maybe I misunderstood... the subject line threw me, but his actual post sounds like he's talking about file work on a tang or spine.... :confused:
 
NickWheeler said:
Okay, maybe I misunderstood... the subject line threw me, but his actual post sounds like he's talking about file work on a tang or spine.... :confused:
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Exactly. I tried to post a pic of what got me so interested, but having trouble doing it. It was in a post here, but can't find it again.

I guess I'll save that skill for later. Thanks
 
NickWheeler said:
Personally, I think most guys should leave file work alone anyway. There are a handful of guys, like slip-joint legend Bill Ruple, that do fantastic file work. But MOST guys that put file work on their blades take value away from the knife, rather than add to it. A lot of guys end up with something that looks like a beaver chewed it out. ;)
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+1 No truer words
 
I would agree with that for the most part. It looks like it will take lots of talent. But, how does one know if he doesn't try. Everyone starts with the first one.
 
Quick answer.....file the pattern in, sand, and polish the spine before HT. Re-sand and re-polish after HT as part of the final sanding. It takes special tools and lots of skill to do a hardened spine .
 
dwsonar said:
I would agree with that for the most part. It looks like it will take lots of talent. But, how does one know if he doesn't try. Everyone starts with the first one.
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That's what I was thinking as I was reading through this. Telling someone not to try something because someone else already did it better is kinda lame. If that were the case then none of us would be here making knives at all in the first place. I get that yea,. maybe some guys butcher knives trying to get too fancy but hey.. let'm.
 
NickWheeler said:
A lot of guys end up with something that looks like a beaver chewed it out. ;)
Click to expand...

One of your best quotable lines yet, Nick. Made me laugh in the early morning!

Maybe someday I'll try some file work. Maybe a little beaver chewing would improve my work. :D
 
I didn't take that as being told I would't be able to do it, more like it's not easy to do. When I get to the point of making my own blades, I'll give it a go. I'll name the first one "Beaver".
 
the beaver may imply that its a chopper of sorts... or something worse :D I've tried filework on spines, and spacers ala Timothy Potier and I've been pleased with the results. go for it man... that guy that got really good at it probably sucked at it the first time he tried... I know I did.
 
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