Off Topic Grinding issues

I'd be curious to see the sort of mistakes that are frustrating you. Maybe you could post some pictures.

I'm guessing you're near Weatherford? I think watching another knifemaker in person, and getting some hands-on advice would be incredibly helpful. And there are definitely makers in the metroplex that can help you out.
 
Try contacting Jason Fry...He may still be the Texas Knifemakers Guild President and can help you find a Maker in your area. There should be some makers in the Fort Worth area which is close to your area?!!
 
did you try the bubble jig ? i have never heard of it not working. we all made those mistakes, we all spent 18 hours on a knife and had to throw it in the trash, we all wanted to give up at one time or another. hang in there. i used to keep a list of my mistakes so i would make sure not to do it on the next knife. and it still happened.. conquer one small thing at a time instead of trying to make the whole knife perfect.
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll get out to the shop this morning and try again. I'll try to bring some pictures.

Edit: I don't have any pictures. I made a mistake and got really upset and made more mistakes.
 
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Join the Texas Knifemaker Guild, there are a bunch of guys in the DFW area.
 
I'll look into it.

In the mean time I think I've stumbled upon something workable. I found that I got much better results by tilting the platen and keeping the jig flat. I still got smiling grind lines, I think it's because I got dug into the plunge and I am having a lot of trouble getting the tip to grind at the same rate, but atleast I've made progress.
 
N.W. Gean said:
I'll look into it.

In the mean time I think I've stumbled upon something workable. I found that I got much better results by tilting the platen and keeping the jig flat. I still got smiling grind lines, I think it's because I got dug into the plunge and I am having a lot of trouble getting the tip to grind at the same rate, but atleast I've made progress.
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Do you have picture of jig you use ? When you switch side blade MUST be in exact position as it was when you grind first side , you know that right ? Don t start to grind exactly where you want plunge to be .Start about 5mm from there , if everything goes as it should you can easy finish them at the end..if you make mistake you will have room for correction .
Try to grind bevels like on the picture /blue color/ and when you get that upper line start to grind around tip ......
TEesZ6p.png
 
Hengelo_77 said:
Take your time,
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Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Slow down.
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Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Slow your grinder down
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Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Get your stance right.
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Yes to all the above.

Do you have adequate lighting where you are grinding?

Another thing that could be contributing is age. If you are still growing, you're going to have to continue to adjust your equipment to keep your posture/stance right and consistent. Or do you need glasses (something I realized about 2 years ago and my frustrations declined significantly very quickly)???:rolleyes::(

Also, you're probably already doing this, but when you make a mistake, pause, think about what caused the mistake, and tell yourself not to do that again before resuming.
 
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Nothing to be ashamed of there.
As many others have mentioned, try to locate a knifemaker in your area to spend a little time beside you at the grinder and coach you on your technique.
I read books and studied YouTube videos for a long time but NOTHING helped me as much as personal instruction.
Grinding is difficult, and it is a skill that will decay if you don't practice it frequently.
 
Joker66 said:
Nothing to be ashamed of there.
As many others have mentioned, try to locate a knifemaker in your area to spend a little time beside you at the grinder and coach you on your technique.
I read books and studied YouTube videos for a long time but NOTHING helped me as much as personal instruction.
Grinding is difficult, and it is a skill that will decay if you don't practice it frequently.
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It is definitely a deteriorating skill. It will go away without practice.
 
Joker66 said:
Grinding is difficult, and it is a skill that will decay if you don't practice it frequently.
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SBuzek said:
It is definitely a deteriorating skill. It will go away without practice.
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Hopefully this isn't a warning....I'm really looking forward to how much fun my first blade after a year off will be.....
I'm just glad I'm one of those who finds a zen-like peace with hand filing and sanding. Much slower process, for sure, but mistakes are easier to recover from.
 
I really wish I'd tried making some knives with files first. I went from bench grinder to 1x30 to 2x72 in about 6 months and learned very little. At least I've found something that works though
 
N.W. Gean said:
I went from bench grinder to 1x30 to 2x72 in about 6 months and learned very little. At least I've found something that works though
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You learned that the bench grinder and 1x30 didn't work.....and it's never too late to learn to perfect your drawfiling which is a good way to fix belt grinder mistakes.
 
N.W. Gean said:
I really wish I'd tried making some knives with files first. I went from bench grinder to 1x30 to 2x72 in about 6 months and learned very little. At least I've found something that works though
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Even after twenty years making knives, I still learn new techniques all the time. You got an 800 number with that BJ. You can catch me here most any time. Give me a call and lets see if I can't help you in some manner.
Regards, Fred
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Even after twenty years making knives, I still learn new techniques all the time. You got an 800 number with that BJ. You can catch me here most any time. Give me a call and lets see if I can't help you in some manner.
Regards, Fred
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Will do in the near future. I'd love to learn freehand grinding.
 
I know some people said don't watch YouTube. But there are some guys on there that give great advice. I didn't have anyone nearby to help me either. At least that I knew of so I watched a ton of grinding videos and none helped much. Then I came across Ekim knives and he has a great video showing you how to grind but more importantly showing how to fix your mistakes. You should check it out.
 
I feel your pain. I filled up a 5 gallon bucket with folder blades!!!!!!!! I would be happy to show you what ive learned but im in southern California. Do you have a variable speed vfd?

I suggest going slow. Start on your weak side. Eventually it will become the stronger side then reverse sides. You can always remove metal, the opposite isn't always true
 
Also check out walter sollers, ekim knives, Neil Vandenburg, nick wheeler and a handful of others
 
I have a fixed speed at 1800 rpm. Tilting the platen seems to have worked out for me.

Ekim knives is a great channel. Mike makes freehand look so easy in his videos.

Thanks for all the great replies. I'll try to find some other makers and in the mean time work with what I've got.
 
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