Help with Convex Sharpening Please

[richstag]

I decided to play around with my Ontario and “try” to “shape” the handles and put a better edge on the blade. I always just did a quickie before I would go out. I am using a POS harbor freight belt sander with 120 grit belts. The reason I went about it was to see if I was confident enough to convex my FBMLE. A worry of mine includes altering the heat treatment of the blade. Also I want to be sure I am going about this the right way (tools and techniques).

Here is a picture of what I am coming up with:

All I do is raise a bur and knock it off with a diamond stick followed by a light pass or two with a ceramic stick.


I thought this one was neat…It just slid right into the newspaper:

Toilet paper is not as clean of a cut:

Slides right through the entire paper:

Took it out for a quick chop and then back in for paper towel with the area used to chop:

So, my question… Am I going about this the wrong way? What can I do to improve (tools and technique)?

Thank you!

Here is what I ended up with for the handles (tennis handle wrap)

 

[richard j]

it looks like you're doing ok to me. you can always get a set of paper wheels to finsh off the edge and save the ceramic rod for field use.

 

[Jason B.]

Not bad but from your first pic it looks like your edge has a burr, did you polish the edge after the belt sander?

 

[richstag]

it looks like you're doing ok to me. you can always get a set of paper wheels to finsh off the edge and save the ceramic rod for field use.

Thanks. I found a grinder yesterday. It is a craftsman 1/2 hp on a stand. It has two stones on it now. Is there anything that I can put on this to finish the edges? I know nothing about the paper wheel technique but I am interested.

Thanks again.

Not bad but from your first pic it looks like your edge has a burr, did you polish the edge after the belt sander?

That is not a burr (2 r's thanks). It is the result of the diamond stick. I did not polish the edge. I used to go over the edge with a leather strop with Flitz. My strop bit the dust a while ago. I have an old strop now with a leather strap and what looks to be a cloth strap (never used it). Would that work?

What are your suggestions? Thanks.


I am going out to chop down a tree and see how the edge holds up like this.

Thanks for your help guys

 

[richard j]

you can read all about the paper wheels at this link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578787 and there are tips at this link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608864 you can find the wheels here and stores that carry them are listed there also http://www.sharpeningwheels.com/ with the wheels you wont need a strop. the paper buffing wheel is the strop. after you work up a burr on the belt sander go direct to the paper buffing wheel that you put white rouge on and thats it. you can see how sharp i get the knives i make here at this link http://sites.google.com/site/richardjsknives/Home/more-knife-pics-and-vids

 

[zhangmaster12]

looks good man. I use the same grinder and grit for machetes!

I havent had any problems with heat. Just make sure you move the blade quickly and steadily. If it gets hot to the touch, dunk in water. Just dont let the get blued or colored, if you do, then youve f'ed it up.

 

[richstag]

you can read all about the paper wheels at this link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=578787 and there are tips at this link http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608864 you can find the wheels here and stores that carry them are listed there also http://www.sharpeningwheels.com/ with the wheels you wont need a strop. the paper buffing wheel is the strop. after you work up a burr on the belt sander go direct to the paper buffing wheel that you put white rouge on and thats it. you can see how sharp i get the knives i make here at this link http://sites.google.com/site/richardjsknives/Home/more-knife-pics-and-vids

Thanks! I will take some time and read through these resources.

I appreciate it.

looks good man. I use the same grinder and grit for machetes!

I havent had any problems with heat. Just make sure you move the blade quickly and steadily. If it gets hot to the touch, dunk in water. Just dont let the get blued or colored, if you do, then youve f'ed it up.

Thanks for the compliment. Do you use your grinder for your expensive knives? I use it on cheaper knives with good results but I never seem to have the confidence to use it on a more expensive knife.

Here are my chopping results....

Dead looking tree may make good firewood:

Less than a minute later:

another minute:

another minute:

and just one more minute:

Blade after chopping:

Also do different metals become damaged at different temperatures?

 

[richard j]

i use the paper wheels for any knife i sharpen. for a convex edge i use the buffing wheel to finish off the edge. i have sharpened knives worth over $1.000 without any problems. a knife can take some heat without any damage but with practice before putting any good knives to the wheel you shouldnt mess up any.

 

[richstag]

i use the paper wheels for any knife i sharpen. for a convex edge i use the buffing wheel to finish off the edge. i have sharpened knives worth over $1.000 without any problems. a knife can take some heat without any damage but with practice before putting any good knives to the wheel you shouldnt mess up any.

So does this mean I could get away with my belt sander and a buffing wheel for the grinder I found?

I am not worried about perfect looks, just functional.


Thanks again.

 

[ChapmanPreferred]

Sounds like a plan to me. By "buffing" wheel I would guess that richardj means the slotted wheel that you put the white compond on for burr removal on the wheel system.

 

[richard j]

all i use on convex blades is my belt sander and paper buffing wheel. if you have any v edge knives get the set which consists of an abrasive wheel and a buffing wheel. the abrasive wheel is far from a grinding wheel which will trash a blade real quick.

 

[richstag]

okay, thanks guys. I will have to read up some more in the other threads (I have been but man thats a lot)

I will see what I can come up with.

Thanks again.

btw, any good belt sanders? I look around and don't find much. I am probably not looking in the right place. Lets say 200$ max unless there is a serious advantage to a more expensive one.

My harbor freight one has seen much much better days.

 

[richstag]

something like this? http://www.northcoastknives.com/northcoast_knives_PowerTools.htm

 

[richard j]

that looks like a good setup to go with if you have the room.

 

[richstag]

Thank you.