Handmade knives - symmetry and precision

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Anarkistic

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Jun 17, 2013
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Hey all

How do knife makers ensure the grind on one side of the blade is symmetrical to that on the other side ? Both in terms of grind depth, distance to the spine and making sure the cutting edge is balanced centrally .

What machines / instruments are used - are there any videos showing this?
 
I use highly advanced machinery. It's called "Oculus et manus" better known as "Hands and Eyes". :p;)

Dykem layout fluid will let you scribe a centerline, grind lines and such, as guides, but the rest is oculus et manus for me.
 
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I've never owned a handmade / custom knife and don't know much about knife manufacture.

Are good factory knives like esee and busse more symmetrical? I would expect a fair margin of discrepancy if only eyes are used to judge geometry - though of course I maybe wrong!

I am looking to get some custom knives commissioned and being a perfectionist, I appreciate precision and symmetry even though its not functionally all that important.
 
Part of what makes custom knives expensive is the time/experience/skill that it takes to make sure the grinds are even and symmetrical and still done by 'oculus et manus'.
 
I don't make knives but I am a craftsman. I agree with hand and eyes, but to execute balance and symmetry, muscle memory, tool setup, jigs and hours of practice is what achieves percision.
 
For me it paid to learn with jigs and other aids.. but then your body just decides to leave those behind. Scribing center lines is still a good idea on long blades.
 
They're supposed to be the same on both sides?????? :):D

I'm about 10 months into this addiction, and am now able to get them where they are not OBVIOUSLY out, but the margin of error would be noticed by a more experienced maker.
 
............and then when you see a knifemaker do a dagger............or a sword, you have to truly wonder at their skill - and it's all 'oculus et manus'

Just imagine for moment - you've picked up a twisted-pattern-welded damascus sword..........you've turned it over and over and marvelled at the symmetry and the apparent perfection...........then, you're told it was made by the Saxons two centuries ago :eek:



sword_thumb2.jpeg



- that's skill beyond belief......no machines, just pure sweat and 'oculus et manus'











.
 
Anarkistic said:
I've never owned a handmade / custom knife and don't know much about knife manufacture.

Are good factory knives like esee and busse more symmetrical? I would expect a fair margin of discrepancy if only eyes are used to judge geometry - though of course I maybe wrong!

I am looking to get some custom knives commissioned and being a perfectionist, I appreciate precision and symmetry even though its not functionally all that important.
Click to expand...

When you do get to see a really good custom blade, it will amaze you how perfectly symmetrical it is. It did me, and even after all these years, it still does! The "human machine" is amazing!
 
We use absolutely EVERY!!!! tool in the book to help us.
Micrometers, dial calipers, height gauges, carbide scribes, variable speed grinders with jigs and different platens, surface grinders dividers, comparators, all types magnification, etc. (And that's the short list.)
Being hand made these days does not necessarily mean entirely shaped BY HAND.
We take advantage of every thing we can get our hands on to make sure we are as exact and precise as humanly possible.
Of course, all the tools and instruments are operated by "Oculus et manus". :D
 
Karl B. Andersen said:
We use absolutely EVERY!!!! tool in the book to help us.
Micrometers, dial calipers, height gauges, carbide scribes, variable speed grinders with jigs and different platens, surface grinders dividers, comparators, all types magnification, etc. (And that's the short list.)
Being hand made these days does not necessarily mean entirely shaped BY HAND.
We take advantage of every thing we can get our hands on to make sure we are as exact and precise as humanly possible.
Of course, all the tools and instruments are operated by "Oculus et manus". :D
Click to expand...

Hi Karl, it's these instruments I'm interested in - would like to see them in action.
 
If you are judging symmetry by eye, then the maker can do the same to the same standards. The hard part is getting the hands to match what the eye wants to see! One of the lessons I've learned is to trust my eyes. The resolution of the human eye is impressive, especially where symmetry is concerned.
 
jigs jsut restricted styling and knife making time for me (since you have ot spend time making the jigs ) i do mark edge centers and now and then i ll mark with a sharpy (ex fine) grind height. after grinding out as many razors as i have all other grinds are not too bad (a nice long dagger can still be fun tho )
 
I agree with the eyeball, Dykem, scribe, and lots of practice!

This an excerpt from an email last week; first time handmade knife buyer and aerospace machinist:

"Dunno what to say. artistic finesse and acumen......machine precision exactness and symmetry........

How bout "BIG ass, ear to ear grin and huge distraction from a deliverable that exceeds what I expected from even the photo's you sent."
 
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