Hollow Grinding Tips?

larry1096 · Apr 23, 2002

When hollow grinding, do you:
1. Rest the blade on the workrest?
2. Hold the blade in your hands, and rest your hands on the workrest?
3. Forget the workrest and totally freehand it?

This prompted by my getting better grind lines today without resting my hands on the toolrest, and wondering if that might not be the way to go.

Thanks for any info,
Larry

______________________________________
I wouldn't mind being self-taught if I was only a better teacher.

fitzo · Apr 23, 2002

learning freehand grinding provides the best opportunity to grind complex blade shapes that are otherwise limited by use of a workrest. learn that up front and you'll not be wedded to a workrest, but can employ it later if a specific grind warrants it. it's a bit tougher to learn initially but the effort is worth it.

Dan Gray · Apr 23, 2002

Forget the workrest and totally freehand it

Fitzo hit it on the head.
For flat grinds I will use the rest.
one something like this would be hard
to do on the rest

RDT · Apr 23, 2002

Hey Gray....that's one intense looking knife, nice job, really nice !

Dan Gray · Apr 23, 2002

Thanks RDT
the customer let me loose on that one
with a limit to work with.

indian george · Apr 23, 2002

Gary I mean Dan: Showoff. COOOOOL

Kit Carson · Apr 23, 2002

Dan,
Great looking knife.

Larry,
Make yourself learn how to freehand and the grinds you can do are limitless.
I do it without gloves and use a piece of 3/4" dowel rod with a little ledge ground into the bottom portion of it to hold the tip end of the blade. Keeps your hand away from the belt and you can use the rod to help tilt the blade up or down. One hand on the handle, the other holding the rod.
Good luck

Dan Gray · Apr 23, 2002

Indian George.
just showing it for a point Did you see it.
just kiding with you.

I'm bring some rail road spikes down too
think we can find a place for them?

Thanks Kit
I have to use the bare fingers
just try to keep them cool.
after three or four blades they need to heal some then
back to grinding.this can bring blood sweat and tears

well it's not all that bad but is a pain at times.

Darrel Ralph · Apr 23, 2002

Dont forget the big belly work rest to keep the blade steady!

larry1096 · Apr 23, 2002

I appreciate all the input.

(Wow, when guys like THIS tell you to lose the workrest, you HAVE to listen...)

Kit-good idea for the 'blade notch' thing. I was having problems with that, and grinding down the 'guitar' fingers is sort of counterproductive.

Larry