Hand ground production blades

I'm not aware of any production knife-making companies that would rely on hand grinding, given the expense. Even your Klotzli looks to me like there was some very precise machine work. There usually is a fair bit of hand finishing required -- check out Buck's videos. It may depend on the manufacturer's definition of hand grinding.
 
Several of the Liong Mah/Reate production models have hand ground blades....mostly the ones with compound/multi grinds like the Warrior 2 and XV.

I also have one of the Hawk Mudd Midtech prototypes that was hand ground by Gavin...does that count:-)
 
The whole blade grind or just the edge ?
If just the edge then Buck and Case come to mind.
If the whole blade grind then I don't know.
 
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Galyean large Lahar is hand ground.
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This is kind of probably not what OP had in mind but how about Japanese Higonokami which have not only hand ground blades but hand forged blades.

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Blades done by an apprentice smith can be as cheap as $25. Those done by master smiths can go upwards of $200.
 
Spartan blades has a few that are hand ground by Bill Harsey, only at the edge, like the Harsey Hunter. Which is now DC'd, but you can still find it in stock a few places.

https://www.knifecenter.com/item/SN...-Blade-Black-Micarta-Handles-Tan-MOLLE-Sheath

I have the same question that was asked earlier: I wonder if any companies claiming hand ground are doing the entire blade--versus just the edge--by hand? Having tried this myself recently, it is a LOT of work, you're talking many hours, to do a total blade grind/regrind by hand. I'd have a hard time imaging too many production or mid-tech knives being at a price point that could justify all that time and labor.
 
^That is seriously impressive. I would love to know their process and how long that took, if they used any type of guides, how they get such a clean look to the hollow grind, etc. Really a nice looking blade!
 
Lapedog said:
This is kind of probably not what OP had in mind but how about Japanese Higonokami which have not only hand ground blades but hand forged blades.

41HNDC4RYiL._SX355_.jpg

higo03bldet.jpg

Blades done by an apprentice smith can be as cheap as $25. Those done by master smiths can go upwards of $200.
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Very cool. I will be getting one of these now. Thanks!
 
SV-97 said:
Aren't GECs hand ground?
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I watched a couple factory tours. Looks like they use very old blade grinding machines to get the blanks mostly ground. Then they do the final edge, polishing, and fitting by hand I think. Love GEC's because so much hand work goes into them, and because of the cool antique equipment they use.
 
mbkryan said:
I watched a couple factory tours. Looks like they use very old blade grinding machines to get the blanks mostly ground. Then they do the final edge, polishing, and fitting by hand I think. Love GEC's because so much hand work goes into them, and because of the cool antique equipment they use.
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Oh okay, interesting. I too love them, but I'd say grinds aren't their strong point, sadly
 
maximus83 said:
Spartan blades has a few that are hand ground by Bill Harsey, only at the edge, like the Harsey Hunter.
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Not sure what you mean by "only at the edge" the hunters were sent to harsey as flat blanks and the swedge and hollow grinds ground in his shop on his equipment. The edges were put on at Spartan after heat treat and coating. I believe the Model 1 was a similar process.
 
pyreaux said:
Not sure what you mean by "only at the edge" the hunters were sent to harsey as flat blanks and the swedge and hollow grinds ground in his shop on his equipment. The edges were put on at Spartan after heat treat and coating. I believe the Model 1 was a similar process.
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Some of the collaboration models, like the one I linked, it was reported in reviews like this one, and on more than one BF supporting dealer (KC as above, and here at BladeHQ. KSF, and others) that Bill Harsey ground the bevels. I trusted that information and understood it to mean that he ground the bevels and put the edge on the blade, but did not grind the full primary blade grind by hand. If it turns out that info is wrong and he did grind all those blades fully from scratch, by hand, even more impressive and I want to get lessons from him in knife grinding. ;)
 
Good Q, Higgs, we should clarify terms. I assumed "hand ground" meant freehand sharpening (vs powered). But I guess 'hand ground' could also mean he freehanded the primary grinds on a powered system.
 
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