How would I go about sharpening this?

J

jack76

Joined
Nov 12, 2005
Messages
41
This is a knife made by Gil Hibben and my crazy boss wanted to know if I could sharpen this for him on the top false edge. What would be the best way to go about doing this? I have a 2x72 belt grinder, but I'm thinking the platen is too wide because it curves inwards and then outwards. Any suggestions other than by hand as that may take a year and a half?


hibben.jpg


Would really love to make sure I didn't mess it up. Thanks!
 
I think it's a fantasy knife made by United Cutlery in collaboration with Gil Hibben. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it's soft low quality stainless from Taiwan so it should be easy to grind an edge on top. I'm not sure why you would want to....but knock yourself out.
 
morrowj_98 said:
I think it's a fantasy knife made by United Cutlery in collaboration with Gil Hibben. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it's soft low quality stainless from Taiwan so it should be easy to grind an edge on top. I'm not sure why you would want to....but knock yourself out.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a fantasy knife designed by Gil Hibben made by United Cutlery, Boat Anchor. I tried to tell my boss this. I personally don't want to. My boss is the one that gave it to me and I was wondering if this is something I could use the platen on or do I have to use the free floating belt which might actually develop somewhat of a outward curved cutting edge. Don't ask me why he wants it sharpened...maybe he nuts!
 
on the edge of a smooth wheel (2x72 belt). :thumbup:
(use the last 1/2" or so of the side of the belt...don't let any other part of the knife touch...and start at 120 grit. ie. when drawing the knife to the right (edge-up, start at the guard, move to the tip) - use the right side. When you go back (still edge-up) from tip to guard...use the left side of the wheel.


But it does beg the question "Why?"....because you know your boss is going to cut himself with it. :D




It is not impossible. Just take it easy until you get the hang of it.
 
Daniel,

What would you charge to sharpen it? I'm afraid i might tweek it as this is definitely something I have never done sharpening other makers knives!
 
too much. :D





I charge $30 to grind a new edge on a kukri...this would be similar. We could work something out, I guess. *shrug*

I do think you could do it.....but I wouldn't do it on the slack belt unless you have done it many, many times before. READ: easy to screw up!
 
Jack, I never used the platent to put the final edge on my blades. I did it with the platent on the grinder, but I ran the blade across the belt above the platent, where it's horizontal, slack belt I guess. That way if you're working a curved blade the belt forms itself to the curve. Adjust the belt tension to fit. You just have to lay the blade over a lot and be careful not to sand the side of it. :)
It works great and is easy to do because you just use a cutting motion to pull the blade across the belt. I did two passes on a side and then dipped the blade, then went to the other side to keep the edge even. Try it on some kitchen knives first and I bet you'll get to liking it! :D
 
I would think a 1 inch belt wold be better to follow the curves. You could split a 2" in half. Another thought is to uses a fine toothed half round file to get the edge then use fine grit sandpaper over the file to finish the edge. Stroke the file down the length of the blade as you work. Main thing is be careful. Tape the rest of the blade. I often use a couple layers of duct tape over the sharp edge while working on another portion of the knife.
 
i move the belt to the edge of the platten and jsut use the edge . you can get some real tight curves that way
 
You might also pull the platen off and use the area between the top and bottom wheels, if that's how your grinder is set up. You can keep a lot of tension on the belt so there is less tendency for it to ride off the side.

Give it a try with a practice piece. Cut a piece of scrap to that curve and work enough passes that you feel confident.

Gene
 
Thanks for all your suggestions! Perhaps I just need to make a taller table or something!
 
I agree that a 1" wheel would be best (and I have access to one - but not everbody has one).


Let me state also that I do not think attempting this on a flat platen or a rotary platen will give you the results you want. :(

Get a bar of mild steel in the same shape and try it out...you'll see what I mean.

I sharpen recurves all the time (which is what this is if you think about it).



That said...I think this would be best if it was reground first to have a true "grind" - hollow would be best...looks like it's just a false edge (flat).
 
that's what I was thinking! I'm guessing since the platen is flat and um 2 inches wide, fat chance of actually getting the inward curve to grind correctly.
 
My 2cents says that edge looks too thick to sharpen. Compare it to the bottom edge before you have a go. If you do, I recon its probably 420C and would be soft enough to sharpen with a new triangular file (3 flats for the price of one) Refine the edge with some wet and dry wraped around the same file.

Good luck with it mate:thumbup:

peter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top