I Think I Finally Got The Hang of It - Grinding

Laredo7mm

Laredo7mm

Joined
Jul 8, 2002
Messages
1,240
After almost three years of making knives and with the wonder of making damascus wearing off a bit (don't get me wrong, I still love that part), I have been trying to really concentrate on my fit and finish.

After going to the Badger show and seeing the work of Michael Kanter, Kevin Cashen, Chuck Gedraitis, etc., and talking to Kevin for a while about what all is involved with passing the JS and MS ABS tests, I got inspired.

I wouldn't say that my grinds were bad, but not where they should be after three years work, so tonight when working on Rev. 8 of my Gent's Auto, I tried a bit harder when grinding the little blade. My biggest problem was getting the full hollow to show on my grinds, so I really slowed down the grinder to about 500 SFPM and with a 180 grit belt really got the hollow ground into the knife.

It is amazing what you learn, even when doing something for years.

How do you guys do it?
 
Thats nice of you to compliment me on my grinding but your knives speak for themselves.

Lets see some pics of the latest grind, Sean.

Michael
 
It's a forever kind of learning type thing (IMHO).

Sean... it's hard to say where someone's grinds "should be" after a certain amount of time. There are guys who have been making knives for 20 years that couldn't do an even, symmetrical grind for their lives... and the other way around as well.

There are about 6 or so aspects to a grind being even, but most people only look at the plunges.

-Nick-
 
Well,
I've been grinding for just a few weeks. I don't have anyone around to show me anything or let me observe them grind a blade.
I only have the forums.
I have just last night begun to get a decent flat grind going, and I'm more excited than I've ever been. I know I could be really good, if I could spend just a few minutes with someone who knows what they are doing.
Guess I'll do it the hard way! It's still fun as hell though...
 
I remember just starting to grind and waiting for the day that grinding would be second nature. Well, I thought I was there, but I also saw that it was time for me to step up my game.

I agree with you Nick about the many different parts to the grind. I usually leave the plunges to last. I can always fix those, one way or another. On this last grind I think I finally got the tip to come in the way it should...hollow ground all the way out and not a hollow grind that transitions inot a semi-flat grind at the tip. I also got rid of that annoying "cork screw" or slight twist I would get from grinding right hand heavy. Now to get that going in a double edged dagger.

I have never worked with another smith/maker before. Just learned alot here, bought some books, bought a video, and went to work. It is nice to see other maker's work in person. Heck I even gave Nick's work the critical eye at the Blade show in 2003, oh yeah plus Ed Caffrey, Bruce Bump and a few others. :D Kevin and Michael were my latest victims. ;)

Be careful though, some makers (none of those that I mentioned above) don't like when you pick up their knives, turn them upside down and spy down the bevels. They give you that "what the he$$ are you doing look."

It is nice to see some improvement, but that is the game right? Always trying to get better.
 
Everyone I've talked to says it all comes down to experience. Practice makes perfect!

At 76, Herman Schneider can grind a double edged, hollow ground dagger straight, even, and symmetric. It is a work of art! :eek:
 
Laredo7mm said:
I remember just starting to grind and waiting for the day that grinding would be second nature. Well, I thought I was there, but I also saw that it was time for me to step up my game.

I agree with you Nick about the many different parts to the grind. I usually leave the plunges to last. I can always fix those, one way or another. On this last grind I think I finally got the tip to come in the way it should...hollow ground all the way out and not a hollow grind that transitions inot a semi-flat grind at the tip. I also got rid of that annoying "cork screw" or slight twist I would get from grinding right hand heavy. Now to get that going in a double edged dagger.

I have never worked with another smith/maker before. Just learned alot here, bought some books, bought a video, and went to work. It is nice to see other maker's work in person. Heck I even gave Nick's work the critical eye at the Blade show in 2003, oh yeah plus Ed Caffrey, Bruce Bump and a few others. :D Kevin and Michael were my latest victims. ;)

Be careful though, some makers (none of those that I mentioned above) don't like when you pick up their knives, turn them upside down and spy down the bevels. They give you that "what the he$$ are you doing look."

It is nice to see some improvement, but that is the game right? Always trying to get better.
Click to expand...

Laredo...................I don't know how you got the idea I didn't like you picking up my knife--I handed it to you :D It was more of an , "oh **** what did I do wrong" look on my face :eek: :(

Sean
 
No, not you silly. ;) Or was it? :D

I can't even remember who they are now, that was two years ago. Heck, I can't remember two weeks ago.
 
S.Shepherd said:
Laredo...................I don't know how you got the idea I didn't like you picking up my knife--I handed it to you :D It was more of an , "oh **** what did I do wrong" look on my face :eek: :(

Sean
Click to expand...
..and yer right about that right hand bevel, I think now that I actually have a variable speed grinder..it's gone..sorta..kinda
 
I have had a VFD running my grinder for ever, but I never tried to slow it way down. usually the slowest i would go was 800 SFPM. This time it was between 400 to 500 SFPM. Made a big difference.
 
I know someguys can do it, but I was grinding with a fixed speed baderIII, wide open. evrything seemd ok, untill about 320---then everything got super hot, super quick :eek: I was having a hard time especially on longer, narrower blades.
I slow that puppy way down now, maybe 30% on 400grit. it's helped me alot
 
When guys mention "right hand heavy" grinds, are you talking about when you're holding the tang with the left hand and guiding/pushing the actual part being ground with the right hand, or the other way around? I was surprised (or maybe not?) as a righty to find I can grind a lot better with the tang in my left hand, so grinding the right side of the blade, or is this what most righties do well with.

I think I have two big problems in my grinding setup right now: one is that I don't have a ceramic liner on my platen yet, and the second is that I don't want to remove the little workrest. I like having it to set an angle for putting a nice bevel on the front of scales, but it gets in the way the rest of the time. Also I wouldn't be able to use that rest with a ceramic platen liner, so I guess I need to get a disc grinder for what I'm using the rest for, and chuck it from the 2x72, eh? I have a feeling good grinding is never second nature, Sean, but hopefully not!
 
Sean, I can't imagine anyone going off color because of having someone with your talents inspecting their work. I always look forward to seeing your work, and I know the other folks here feel the same. I have a single speed antique compared to what you fellas have, so I just go light with the pressure and dip a lot. Some of my grinds I finish with files, but that's me, slow and slower while grinding.
 
Hi Sean and All

I know my grinding improved 1000% when I got the chance to work with Alex Daniels for a weekend. If you have never seen his work, look it up. He makes a lot of reproductions from The Book of Bowies. Sometimes it's just good to watch and have someone show you how they do things.

YMHS-------------Bob
 
R.Rossdeutscher said:
Hi Sean and All

I know my grinding improved 1000% when I got the chance to work with Alex Daniels for a weekend. If you have never seen his work, look it up. He makes a lot of reproductions from The Book of Bowies. Sometimes it's just good to watch and have someone show you how they do things.

YMHS-------------Bob
Click to expand...
Are your saying that your grinding was WORSE than it is now?! Holy CRAP, I didnt think that was possible!!! Ofcourse you could watch a monkey grind for 10 minutes and improve, hey Bob?:D

Michael
 
Hey, whats that sound. Oh yeah, it's crickets. Nothing like bringing the thread to a screaching halt Mike. Good job! ;-) And oh yeah, you want to see some REALLY good grinding? I've got this pearl handled knife you made, Remember? Need I say more.
But really, to all those out there, if you can get someone ( other then Mike ) to show you the ropes, grinding becomes much easier. It is also a great way to make new friends. I consider Alex to be a good friend and visit with him and his wife Brenda when ever possible.
YMHS------------Bob
 
R.Rossdeutscher said:
Hey, whats that sound. Oh yeah, it's crickets. Nothing like bringing the thread to a screaching halt Mike. Good job! ;-) And oh yeah, you want to see some REALLY good grinding? I've got this pearl handled knife you made, Remember? Need I say more.
But really, to all those out there, if you can get someone ( other then Mike ) to show you the ropes, grinding becomes much easier. It is also a great way to make new friends. I consider Alex to be a good friend and visit with him and his wife Brenda when ever possible.
YMHS------------Bob
Click to expand...
You had to bring up that pearl handled knife didnt you, Bob. That was a pity purchase, wasnt it?

I agree with Bob, ( I cant believe i just said that!) Seeing someone do it first hand is the best way to learn, I saw Terry Knipshield hollow gring at a hammer in and i learned more in the 15 minutes he was showing me than the 2 years i was trying to do it on my own.

Seriously though, I consider Bob a good friend of mine even tho he wont let me come to his house and show me how to forge.


Michael
 
So glad to see you fellas having these great experiences... I'm dying to just have a single chance to watch someone grind.... Ahhh..
 
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