How do you hold your blades when you grind...

Alain M-D

Alain M-D

Joined
Jan 20, 2002
Messages
237
A simple question... How do you hold your blades when you grind them ?

I do not have great experience and I developed my technique myself
(perhaps a bad technique...)

I never had the occasion to see another knifemaker making hollow grind...
I am curious to see how you make....

Post a pict if you can ! It is easier "to visualize" with an picture !

Alain M-D


grinding.jpg
 
Check out this workshop pic. I flatgrind but the platen is horizontal - hence the weird posture. I neer thought to mount the grinder differently, so I'm now worried if I do that I will have to learn to grind all over again. Sorry, I couldn't separate the pic from the rest of the workshop pictures. Cheers. Jason.

workshop2_19.jpg
 
I've seen an expert knifemaker grind, and he said that there's no "right" way of doing it. He grinds spine first, most grind edge first, some grind edge first on one side and spine first on the others, getting the same excellent results that those grinding edge first get.
As long as it works for you, I guess it's good.
 
I grind edge up on hollow grinds and some flat grinds. I grind with the blade vertical or at a angle on most forgings. I think that there is no wrong way, just do what feels right and works best for you. Gib
 
Alain, what the others have said. I grind edge up, just like your photo.
Sometimes, if I have a long blade I use the tool rest. Not to rest the blade on, but I put my knuckle on the rest, to help me guide the blade. It takes a load off my neck also, which I have problems with. It is almost the stance your hand would be in shooting marbles, if anyone knows about that anymore. :D

You probably already know this, but grinding freehand, you want to lock your elbows into your side, and use your upper body to move the blade on the wheel, bending slightly at the hips.
 
Same as you with my elbows locked tight to my sides. I've never tried a tool-rest but its seems to be a viable option on some complex grinds. I dont see how some guys can grind using a push stick. Looks like it would just slip.

Mark
 
I do it the same. Edge up, lock the elbows, good balanced stance.
I also have a nice organic tool rest, and that helps :)

Mark, the push stick has a ledge ground on the bottom of it to set the blade on. I only use it for the rough grinding.
 
I grind just like you (edge up hollow grind). I use a tool rest though. I use an 8" bench grinder and its not quite smooth enough to be comfortable completely free hand, found my knuckles getting quite sore ;) The wheel (especially after dressing it) really bites into the steel and you really do better with somemething to support the blade from being pushed downwards so you can concentrate on controlling the angle etc.
 
I also grind edge up and for me the height of the grinder was a issue for me. I dont think there is a right or wrong way. Like the others said whatever works for you. Goodluck
 
edge up, head down!

I try to look staight down on the edge, and use a stick with a notch in the end to hold the hot end.
 
I so far flat grind. Edge down when the maker stamp side is facing me. Edge up on the other side except that I start the plunge with edge down to get the angle set in. I reverse the motor for the edge up side. This last knife I just forgot to reverse the motor. Still worked fine.
 
Like you, edge up starting with the tang in my right hand, then flip it over with the tang in the left hand, edge up to get the other side. Lock the elbows and try to stay loose. My left hand is right at the tip of the blade and no tool rest.

I will "choke up" on the blade when trying to get the tip correct. I grab the blade about two inches from the tip and just have my other thumb on the bevel like you show in your picture. It helps me alot, especially on bigger blades.
 
I grind free hand with the edge up. No tool rest and no push stick. I tried to use a push stick but found my grinding REALLY suffered no matter how hard I tried. I gave it my best shot for several months and finally ditched the crutch. Now it's just me, the blade, the grinder and burned digits. I'm getting a little concerned lately because I'm beginning to rather enjoy the pain of burned fingers.:eek:


All the best,
Mike U.
 
Alain
Your shoulders look good on your blade,looks like you are doing well what ever style you are doing:D
 
Originally posted by RARanney
Doesn't anyone use a tool rest for folder blades?
Click to expand...


I DO! I DO! ;)
Haha, thats the main thing I make. If I did more fixed blades I would probably go freehand, but with a 2"-5" peice with no tang to hold onto, and the fact that I'm using a bench grinder, I have to use the tool rest. Never bother taking it off.
 
Beyond Kit's organic tool rest.:rolleyes:, can anyone give me a picture of a jig? Drawings or a diagram would wook also. I understand how a push stick works, but I've never seen a jig.

Thanks,

Pam
 
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