How to grind a blade a bit?

[jayjaygee]

I have an old blade I want to grind a finger choil into. I tried a grinding drill bit and a drill. It didn't do a damned thing. I bet I could buy a diamond bit, but the ones that are large enough are stupid expensive (more than a new knife), and my one little one won't make a smooth choil.

Is there an obvious (inexpensive) tool I'm overlooking?

 

[eveled]

4”angle grinder? Go slow. Wear safety glasses.

I don’t know how anyone gets by without one. I have 5 of them in different places with different wheels or brushes.

 

[riversidedep]

I've used a high-speed rotary tool like a Dremel to put choils into blades before. Always worked well for me. Just be careful not to get the blade too hot.

 

[jayjaygee]

4”angle grinder? Go slow. Wear safety glasses.

I don’t know how anyone gets by without one. I have 5 of them in different places with different wheels or brushes.

I've considered buying one. For a bunch of projects. How easy would it be to get a nice rounded choil?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

A Dremel with a solid carbide rotary burr will do the job. Just look out for metal splinters--they're tiny and hard to get out!

 

[catspa]

If the angle grinder left it bumpy, the Dremel with a sanding drum would smooth it right out. Light touch.

Parker

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Don't use a Dremel or a grinder.

I Hate choils, and don't make knives with them, but I did add a choil to a Becker BK9 once. It was easy with a diamond half round file. They are cheap on Amazon
Should take, maybe a half hour or less

 

[jayjaygee]

I Hate choils, and don't make knives with them

Can I ask why? I mean, I'm still going to do it, I'm just curious. Indifference would be one thing, but to really dislike them sounds like an interesting story.

It was easy with a diamond half round file.

I'll try this first, I love this idea, thank you.

 

[David Mary]

It can be done in under 10 minutes.

Step 1: Angle grinder with cut off wheel to cut out the basic shape. Cut off wheel is thin, so it will not generate heat too quickly if you use it right.
Step 2: Dremel with sanding drums to refine and clean up the shape, chamfer the edges.
Step 3: Sandpaper.
Step 4: Look with sadness on a confused knife whose blade will be used as a handle when it could have just had a proper handle to start with.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Can I ask why? I mean, I'm still going to do it, I'm just curious. Indifference would be one thing, but to really dislike them sounds like an interesting story.

I'll try this first, I love this idea, thank you.

Well, I'm a minimalist usually in general. I like a reason for doing things. "I'm a Taurus" if that matters...? Hahha. I'm told we are lazy and stubborn. I think I am being efficient.
I've asked people for their reasons for wanting a choil (either finger, or sharpening) and I have yet to hear a legitimate reason. People have talked about reasons for sharpening... but I've sharpened knives..... NO problem. I don't understand why they need it?
I'm still waiting for a good reason for believing it's a good idea???

Why do You want a choil?


Pro/Con

Pro's: None

Con's:
1. Less sharpened blade length. Less usable work area
2. Edge will now get caught and hung up in cutting material (sheet goods, gutting, clothing, bags, etc.)
3. Weakens blade by adding longer lever arm
4. more likely to cut finger by getting closer to edge.
5.

Answer/Solution: get a comfortable handle without a large ricasso.

 

[jayjaygee]

Does anyone here have a knife with a finger choil that they like? If you have a second, could you measure its width at the blade edge? I'm not sure what size file to buy. Looking at my finger helps but I'd like confirmation. Things like this surprise me sometimes.

 

[David Mary]

5.

Blade stock thickness instead of handle thickness, meaning more pressure on the finger that grips the choil, which can be uncomfortable, and even painful with hard use.

 

[David Mary]

J jayjaygee it would help if you specified the knife you are modding. Three inch folder vs 6 inch fixed blade will make a lot of difference in the choil design.

 

[jayjaygee]

Step 4: Look with sadness on a confused knife whose blade will be used as a handle when it could have just had a proper handle to start with.

I'm curious how you feel about pinky lanyards?

Why do You want a choil?

I find myself choking up on the blade often, to get more control for fine tasks. I sometimes hold the blade by the spine, but I feel inclined to try this way too. (It's a cheap blade).

Answer/Solution: get a comfortable handle without a large ricasso.

The handle is comfortable. But someone put the handle all the way on the opposite end from the tip, and sometimes I want more control. I don't want a very small wrist movement to translate into such a large tip movement. I want less leverage for certain tasks.

I appreciate your list of cons. 1 and 2 don't worry me here, since the blade is about a foot long on one, 7" on the other I'm thinking about tampering with.

4 makes sense, sure.

I don't really understand 3. I get that it weakens the blade any time you take materiel out, but what do you mean by longer lever arm?

 

[jayjaygee]

"I'm a Taurus" if that matters...? Hahha. I'm told we are lazy and stubborn. I think I am being efficient.

For Tauruses, the key word is "inertia." You don't move easily, but when you do you move like a thirsty bull toward water. About right?

 

[jayjaygee]

J jayjaygee it would help if you specified the knife you are modding. Three inch folder vs 6 inch fixed blade will make a lot of difference in the choil design.

Oh sure. The first is a 7" Old Hickory. I might do a cheap foot long blade too. My finger is always on the ricasso and it's too precarious there. I want a choil right at the ricasso for my finger.

 

[David Mary]

I'm curious how you feel about pinky lanyards?

About a full length essay starting with defining lanyards, and fobs, and multiple categories, including distinguishing fixed blades, folders, and breaking those down further into size categories.

 

[David Mary]

J jayjaygee , if you post a profile pic of the knife, and a pic of your standard grip, I will show you what I'd do if someone held me at gunpoint and said "make the most sensible choil possible even if you don't like choils".

 

[Crag the Brewer]

About a full length essay starting with defining lanyards, and fobs, and multiple categories, including distinguishing fixed blades, folders, and breaking those down further into size categories.

J jayjaygee
Since I'm the nasty one here, I'll answer...... (for me)

NOPE!
*to both lanyards and fobs.
I begrudgingly will sometimes put lanyard holes or lashing holes into handles I make, because I am empathic to your needs..... But, I don't like them.


Are you on a ladder, scaffolding, or in a hot air balloon??? Then why would you want your knife attached to you?

 

[jayjaygee]

About a full length essay starting with defining lanyards, and fobs, and multiple categories, including distinguishing fixed blades, folders, and breaking those down further into size categories.

I mean... I'd read the essay.

J jayjaygee , if you post a profile pic of the knife, and a pic of your standard grip, I will show you what I'd do if someone held me at gunpoint and said "make the most sensible choil possible even if you don't like choils".

I may decide to take you up on that, but I think I might just dive in. I'm thinking 12-16mm diamond half round. These are not expensive blades I'm messing with.