HELP!! Convex finishing/ polishing, Which first?

J

JoshTKnives

Joined
Jun 2, 2008
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110
gentlemen, I am in need of a little help with finishing convex grinds! They are O-1 going to be hand finished to around 800 grit with a light vinegar patina. my problem is if I do all the finishing and then do the sharpening, (convex) the finish is worn off, so I am sharpening first and then finishing. Then I will do a final strop after assembly and handle finish. I know this is dangerous, and have already cut myself once, but this is the only way I could figure to do it. I have only done one and have 4 more, so any pointers on how you do this would be much appreciated!
peace
jt
 
I always sharpen and TEST my knives before spending all that time doing finish work.
Mace
 
i don't know what to tell u to do but i have seen waaaaay to many damascus knives that weren't sharpened after they were ground and etched.....bad idea to give someone a dull knife.....ryan
 
Ha yea ryan i always sharpen my knives before they go out! i cant stand the thought of someone else putting a stone to it:eek:
Mace, good plan! i will do some testing!! done want one to fail on it's new owner!
thanks guys!
any more??
 
After the first hundred cuts, plus I hate not be able to zip my own pants or start my own car without pain. I sharpen my knives just before before it leaves my shop. After the pictures are taken. After the sheath is made. Just before it goes in the shipping box.
 
BlackToe Knives said:
After the first hundred cuts, plus I hate not be able to zip my own pants or start my own car without pain. I sharpen my knives just before before it leaves my shop. After the pictures are taken. After the sheath is made. Just before it goes in the shipping box.
Click to expand...

fair enough, but then for a convex grind do you put a secondary bevel for the edge? cause mine are going full convex to the edge, so if i sharpen i will have to refinish the blade anyway. does that make sense?
i guess i am going to just be careful, and use my Fogg inspired finish sanding bar. that should keep my fingers away from the edge.
thanks for the comments! keep them coming!
 
Josh,
On my full height convex grinds with a patina, sharpening is the last thing I do.
I put a very small secondary convex on the knife to minimize scratching the finish. I leave it up to the customer if they want to sharpen the knife "properly" and mar the finish. Just make sure to let them know what's going on up front.
Later,
Iz
 
sometimes i sharpen a knife right after heat treat like mace does but i use kevlar gloves so i dont get cut or i run the edge over a piece of abrasive belt to dull it a little. you can also tape the blade up but put cardboard along the edge so it wont cut through the tape.
 
JoshTKnives said:
fair enough, but then for a convex grind do you put a secondary bevel for the edge? cause mine are going full convex to the edge, so if i sharpen i will have to refinish the blade anyway. does that make sense?
i guess i am going to just be careful, and use my Fogg inspired finish sanding bar. that should keep my fingers away from the edge.
thanks for the comments! keep them coming!
Click to expand...

I use a convex grind almost exclusive. I do a secondary edge. About 1/16 to 1/8 inch. Just enough to give it a good edge. The secondary edge enhances the look. It like the icing on the cake.
 
What blacktoe said, sharpen the last thing.
Besides, the sharpened edge that doesn't match the etching or finish, shows that the knife is SHARP and ready to use. That is the purpose of a knife, right?
Shiny edges don't bother me.
Just my opinion. Dan
 
The only time I use full convex grinds to a zero edge is on Japanese swords. In doing the togi, the blade is both polished and sharpened. On most other blades with a convex grind, I finish the blade and put on a small secondary bevel. It only needs to be a few degrees steeper than the convex.
Stacy
 
not trying to start trouble but....if you are gonna convex the edge why not truly convex it.....i can understand the op's point in not wanting a shiney convex bevel on an etched blade but just putting a secondary bevel on it defeats the purpose ....no?.....i have recieved quite a few knives like that from makers.....it always ticks me off.....you can tell they just quick ran it over a belt at an absurdly high angle because they didn't wanna scratch the blade......sorry for the rant i just really think the knife should go to the customer sharpened correctly and ready to go......ryan
 
Using a secondary bevel is not incorrect. Thats how I use my personal convex knives. And thats how I ship mine. I'm not a fan of zero edges really. It takes all kinds.
 
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