Hello

d dub

d dub

Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
94
I know you guys like for newcomers to introduce themselves. My name is Dave, and I am a beginning knife maker. I have visited BFC, but remained silent so I could learn how you guys operate, and to save myself from embarassment.:rolleyes:

It has taken a long time to get to this point, but I am finally making my first blade. It is a general purpose full tang camp knife, made out of 1095. I chose to use a full height flat grind, using a Delta 1x42 grinder and files. I have really been taking my time on it.

One thing I did was to take the grind too high on one side, so the spine from the plunge forward became slightly narrower than the tang. I worked the other side of the blade a little to even it out. It looks OK, but I think it would have been better had I not narrowed the spine. Anyone else ever done this? Would it be wise to grind the flat with the spine? I'm afraid if I keep taking away here and there, I'll end up with a pile of metal shavings and nothing else.

Thanks,
DW
 
The first knives I made had the same issue. It's pretty easy to carry that grind up a bit too high, especially when first starting out and you keep making those passes to get everything just right. You could try and grind down the flats a bit to reduce the difference, but you have to make sure you keep the flats flat so that the handles scales fit flush. I'd say even it out the best you can, take the flats down just a bit, and then finish the knife out. You'll definitely take that lesson into the next one.

I generally grind my bevels up to about 1/4" from the spine with the rough grit belt and get my edge down to the thinness I want. Then, I gently walk the top of the bevel up to the spine with the higher grit fresh belts (say 220 or 400 even). That way, a small mistake doesn't remove near as much material as it does in the lower grits.

Welcome to the forums, and we hope you'll post a picture of that finished knife when it's done. This a great place to learn and grow as a maker. If you have a question, throw it out there. Also, the obligatory suggestion is to check out the stickies at the top of the page for some great and helpful information. Use google to search the forums by typing your search query followed by site:bladeforums.com.

Have fun and again, welcome!

--nathan
 
Welcome,
Yes, as Nathan said, it is easy to remove too much steel.....a lot harder to put it back (or make it look even).

It is always a good idea to grind in smaller increments. Go, say 3/4 of the way toward the spine, and then do the other side. As you progress up the grits, the grind will walk up to the spine quickly. Never start with the coarse grind going anywhere near the finished lines.

This is a good place to suggest using Wet-or-Dry sand paper, and a block of hardwood or steel as a sanding tool. In the beginning it is far easier to get a smooth and flat grind by doing most of the work by hand after the initial grind. Files are your friend,too.

As your completely filled out profile tells me ( shameless plug for people to fill out their profiles), you live about 30 minutes from me. Keep in touch as your knife progresses. Send me a PM or email if you need any help. I will be glad to assist you as you learn.

Again, welcome to the forums,
Stacy
 
Hey, welcome to BF, Dave! You will learn a lot here and each knife you make should be better than the last. I've had the same problem you're talking about on ONE of my knives. Just as mentioned, don't take the grinds up too high with the coarse grits from the start... swap belts to a 220 grit and then just 'ease' the lines up until they blend in good. The way I've fixed mine is to just run the flats of the blade on the grinder until it's all even, though of course this does take from the width of your blade and I don't know how deep your plunges are. Good luck and be sure to post pics of your work here!
 
Welcome to the knife making family Dave. I'm sure you will enjoy the forums, unlike many other art forms knife makers are very generous with there knowledge and support.

Jim P.
 
Hey DW, you're in a great spot as you start out. Stacy is a great guy and has helped many beginners get a foothold on this craft. You're fortunate to be located so close. I'd definitely take him up on his offer for help. Stacy's a very gifted maker with multiple skill sets, and you'll learn a great deal. I have, and that's just through the internet.

--nathan
 
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You live near Stacy! That is a stroke of luck. Do your best on your first knife but realize that perfection doesn't come till at least the third knife.;) Welcome aboard.

Allen
 
Don't worry, what's happening to you has happened to 99.99% of us and ummm while I wish I could say practice will prevent it, I will say practice and good processes will help minimize this. Can't really add anything to what others suggested.

Also want to say this. Good on you for actually filling out your profile right off of the bat! :thumbup: I'd consider myself very lucky to live as close as you do to an artist the caliber of Stacy.
 
Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. I should have checked this thread as soon as I came home instead of heading to the grinder and making things worse. I'll use your suggestions to fix my problems. This knife is going to be a lot smaller than I originally planned. It will be politically correct:foot:
 
Welcome, and it seems that it is too late to back away from this addiction now. You're stuck. :)
 
d dub said:
Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. I should have checked this thread as soon as I came home instead of heading to the grinder and making things worse. I'll use your suggestions to fix my problems. This knife is going to be a lot smaller than I originally planned. It will be politically correct:foot:
Click to expand...

Every knifemaker has made a knife that ended up smaller than they intended. You're in great company. One of the best knives I ever made was one that started out as a longer camp knife and ended up being a much shorter knife. Welcome to our little family!
 
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