hand rubbing

V

vaquero57

Joined
Nov 12, 2000
Messages
131
Can anyone help me here? When I hand rub a blade I take single strokes from the ricasso to the tip. I then repeat this withoput dragging the block backwards down the blade to prevent those nasty J hook scratches. However where my block starts, at the front of the block it leaves J hook scratches when I start mt stroke. In other words it seems like the front of my sanding block is digging in at the start of my stroke. I have used a small fine arkansas stone that is flat to wrap my sandpaper around and small metal files to do the same.I have tried starting with the front of my block lifted slightly but still no luck. I need help. Cory

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" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
Cory-

I do the majority of my hand sanding with hardwood and dymondwood blocks, but the last strokes with 600 grit are always done with a leather faced block. I just made blocks with 9oz. leather super-glued to them.

Now for my flat-ground blades, I sand them on a sanding plane. On that unit I start sanding at the tip, and run the blade up to the plunge. JP Moss used to sell this sort of thing and called it a Moss Finishing Plane, it's pretty damn slick. I know KI had a picture of one in the article they did on satin finishes, but I'm not sure what issue that was.

Good luck
biggrin.gif

Nick
 
cory in addition to the leather, round of the edges on your block giving it a very slight bow sharp. this should help with the digging in problem you describe.

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Laurence Segal www.RHINOKNIVES.com
 
Cory
You could also use a small piece of rubber and let the paper overlap the edge a bit.
 
I was taught that you wanted to use a hard material. My first block was a piece of flat gground mahogany and I was told this was not hard enough. I was told to use a block of micarta but do not have any so I have been using files wrapped in paper and even a small arkansas stone wrapped in paper. What is with the leather and rubber. Who is right here? Cory

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" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
The "right" answer is what works for You. I use hard rubber. The one thing you need to do is keep the sandpaper wrapped tight to what ever you are using. If it is wrapped loose, it could give you a "double" impression.

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A.T.
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AKTI #476
 
Cory,I use a hard block first then a block with leather attached to it on the finer grits.Check out my tutorial on this subject.
I have also found that if you dont stop on the blade as you rub you will eliminate the nasty J hooks.When you enter the blade set the paper on the top edge (corner)of the plunge line and then make the stroke start down the blunge and start into the blade,Do this in one stroke and don't stop until you are off the tip....
Practice-Practice-Practice
Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
asmallpicofbruceforforums.jpg
 
Well heck Bruce I was staring at the beginning of the plunge line in the blade area. I was ewnding up with J hooks where the front of my block was leading in. If I start at the top of the ricasso as you state, then when the block comes down the plunge line on the forward stroke won't it leave a nasty impression where it first makes contact with the blade? Cory

------------------
" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing
 
Don't push down so hard on the block as you fall down the plunge line,all you need is easy strokes.You will have to experiment until you find what works best for you.
Like I have said before you have to experiment and practice with all these different techniques,they don't just come to you over night.If things where to easy everybody would do it and we wouldn't make any money.I just finished hand rubbing a 6 inch blade today and I would guess that I have about 8-10 hours in the finish alone,and if I see a scratch that I missed then I will have even more in it.
Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
asmallpicofbruceforforums.jpg
 
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