how thin?

blgoode

blgoode

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 3, 2003
Messages
7,260
Well....I have my basic besel down. Now how thin is too thin? Also is this where I use my fingers and sand paper to finish before sending off to temper? I couldnt help but get the blade sharp tapering the blade.
 
BL,

What kinda steel is it?

If it is stainless you should grind that sharp edge back to about 1/32" to be safe. If it is carbon go for 1/16".

Thin edges might warp. Besides, once you get it back you have to sand off the discoloration. No sense getting it that thin, when it has to get sanded/ground again.

After it gets back you can sand it to about .020". Depending on the type/use of knife.

Steve
 
its 01 steel. How much grinding is usually needed one the heat treatment has been done? Yeah.......I dont want to go too thin now. Maybe I need to clean everything up to HT?
 
BL,

You should go all the way to a 220 grit and have things pretty flat everywhere before heat treating

After it comes back, go over everything with 220 grit again until all the discoloration is gone.

Then you can add your final finish. At that point your edge should be about .015-.020 thick.

How much grinding is usually needed one the heat treatment has been done?
Click to expand...

That depends on how nice you want it to look. I don't grind much after heat treat - just 220 grit. But I do a lot of hand sanding.

You ought to read EVERYTHING from this link. It's free and very good.

http://engnath.com/public/intable.htm

Steve
 
You did not specify if this was a folder or fixed blade. I grind all of my folders after heat treat. Fixed blades I take the edge to about .030-.040 and finish to at least 220 grit. They are then heat treated. I finish the knife after heat treat. Edge thickness depends on the knife. Heavy blades may be .020-.025 most folders are .010 or less.
 
this is a fixed blade. Its about 13" long. Nice chopper......fun to make. Thanks for the info.
 
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