Grinding..do you use some sort of holding device or angled rest ???

[Danbo]

You already know what I think(having commented on JD).


I think that in the amount of time you've spent building these jigs, you could've already developed decent grinds freehand.

 

[delbert ealy]

I grind freehand, I have done over 1300 blades and it does get easier after the first few. I am currently teaching an apprentice, who has done 3 blades, and his are pretty good already.
Thanks,
Del

 

[zingzong2005]

started freehand on a very small blade OAL 1.9"

but it´s so damn small I couldn´t even hold it

was afraid to grind off my fingertip so I used my jig again

how do you guys hold small blades like that???

screw it on a piece of wood?


thx
AL

 

[richard j]

if you have a piece of stock thats 6" long and you're going to make a 3" knife, leave the other 3" on until you have completed your grinds. on the 2 you have showing in the picture, you could have ground one end then taped it up and done the other.

 

[jacqueeagonsr]

Don't try to learn to grind free hand on knives. the steel is too expensive. Instead, make 'letter openers' for friends and family for Christmas out of mild steel, 1018. You will have to grind an edge on both sides of the blade, like a dagger, so, 100 letter openers will be like 200 knives. there is no heat treating involved (unless you want to use Gunther quench to harden it up a bit). The worst 50-60 go in the scrap bin. The best, give away or sell cheap.

Regards,
Jacque Eagon
a Texas Knife Maker

 

[zingzong2005]

THANKS guys

I followed your freehand grinding suggestions especially:" take your time","knifemaking is not a race" and "slow down the grinder " and was really surprised about the results.