I'm determined to make a cutlers anvil

BradleySmall said:
I was considering a 24 from Combat Abrasives.
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I've not tried those. So far the most aggressive belt I've used is the VSM Blue Destroyer 36 grit from Pops. You've got to run them fast and use lots of pressure or they glaze over super fast.

I'm sure someone with a lot more experience than me can chime in with the best option.
 
The only real difference between a cutler's anvil and a hunk of railroad track is the extended lip.
Again- yours is too short. If you leave it like that, all your work will be for nothing.
 
Signalprick said:
Talk to @bjansen he makes a fine curlers anvil for a very respectable price. ;)
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He also makes one HECK of a peening anvil. :D

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BradleySmall said:
I was considering a 24 from Combat Abrasives.
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P.S.
Bill DeShivs has more experience working on knives than we're likely to get over the course of our entire lives... Combined. I'd take his advice to heart.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
The only real difference between a cutler's anvil and a hunk of railroad track is the extended lip.
Again- yours is too short. If you leave it like that, all your work will be for nothing.
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The length of that lip right now is 1/2" however, until it is hardened, it will have every opportunity to both get longer or become thinner. I get what you are saying, really I do. Once it is ground to rough shape, I will be trying whatever knives I can find around here to fit. If it won't fit in, then it will get thinner. If it won't fit all the way to the back, then it will get longer. If you have any extra knives laying around feel free to send them along and I will use them for sizing as well. :)
 
Fixall said:
P.S.
Bill DeShivs has more experience working on knives than we're likely to get over the course of our entire lives... Combined. I'd take his advice to heart.
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I am taking it. But I am not at that point yet. Once I get the base shape ground out, and the bottom and top flat, then I will worry about the shelf, then tongues, the undercut, and the slots and holes. Once I make the shelf, to go from 1/2" to even a whole 1" or more is just a matter of additional grinding. Or possibly at that point it may have moved to the mill. I am not sure how I feel about the undercut shelf, either. So it is also possible that I increase the radius of that side, and simply remove it in favor of deeper tongue. There are lots of ways this can go before it is all said and done. I am just happy to be done with the bandsaw, and packing it off to go back for warranty repairs.. Now I want to see what my belt grinder is capable of...
 
Since it's just Tooling now is the time to use a Moderately USED belt to knock back the edges without wasting Fresh abrasives of a new belt. Jump to a fresh belt once your ready to refine the grind. Having a few Used belts laying around are perfect for these projects.
 
Busto said:
Since it's just Tooling now is the time to use a Moderately USED belt to knock back the edges without wasting Fresh abrasives of a new belt. Jump to a fresh belt once your ready to refine the grind. Having a few Used belts laying around are perfect for these projects.
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So herein lies the dilemma. When getting started and gearing up, I invested in an Ameribrade belt grinder and bought a sample "collection" of belts in varying grits. So, at this point, every belt I own is a brand new belt. That is, unless, I try to use my 4x24 or my 1x30's. So I am considering buying just 1 24 grit ceramic belt from Combat to try their stuff and see how I like it. Otherwise, I think I have three 40 AO that came in the kit.

I remember when I got started in woodworking, there were so many quick plans that started with "Just grab a piece of scrap XYZ about ABC x DEF..." It was always frustrating to think, wow, I should have some scrap wood around, but first I must make a big project and improperly estimate the resources. :)

I am starting to see similar issues with machining, and I obviously don't have scrap aluminum in all different sizes, or whatever other metals. :)

It's just funny, that now I also need some used up belts to take the 90° off when starting to grind knives, and of course this project.

I am probably the only one that finds this humorous. :)
 
BradleySmall said:
So herein lies the dilemma. When getting started and gearing up, I invested in an Ameribrade belt grinder and bought a sample "collection" of belts in varying grits. So, at this point, every belt I own is a brand new belt. That is, unless, I try to use my 4x24 or my 1x30's. So I am considering buying just 1 24 grit ceramic belt from Combat to try their stuff and see how I like it. Otherwise, I think I have three 40 AO that came in the kit.

I remember when I got started in woodworking, there were so many quick plans that started with "Just grab a piece of scrap XYZ about ABC x DEF..." It was always frustrating to think, wow, I should have some scrap wood around, but first I must make a big project and improperly estimate the resources. :)

I am starting to see similar issues with machining, and I obviously don't have scrap aluminum in all different sizes, or whatever other metals. :)

It's just funny, that now I also need some used up belts to take the 90° off when starting to grind knives, and of course this project.

I am probably the only one that finds this humorous. :)
Click to expand...
Just use one of the 40's it will be a used belt in 30 seconds of, and give you a reference for that 24 you plan to order.
 
BradleySmall said:
So herein lies the dilemma. When getting started and gearing up, I invested in an Ameribrade belt grinder and bought a sample "collection" of belts in varying grits. So, at this point, every belt I own is a brand new belt. That is, unless, I try to use my 4x24 or my 1x30's. So I am considering buying just 1 24 grit ceramic belt from Combat to try their stuff and see how I like it. Otherwise, I think I have three 40 AO that came in the kit.

I remember when I got started in woodworking, there were so many quick plans that started with "Just grab a piece of scrap XYZ about ABC x DEF..." It was always frustrating to think, wow, I should have some scrap wood around, but first I must make a big project and improperly estimate the resources. :)

I am starting to see similar issues with machining, and I obviously don't have scrap aluminum in all different sizes, or whatever other metals. :)

It's just funny, that now I also need some used up belts to take the 90° off when starting to grind knives, and of course this project.

I am probably the only one that finds this humorous. :)
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Don t use belts , keep them new ! Use file 🤣
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Re- the lip:
You can also make the lip separate, and attach it with flat head screws.
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Now, there's a thought! I was thinking of "accessories" such that there could be a hole (or two) that would mate with pins and I could tap some holes for screws to keep it in place.

However, the very first one will be of this shape, same as the ones in the books. But since I am doing 2 at once, I want to see if the first one has shortcomings that I can overcome in the next one. The lip will most definitely not be 0.125 since that wont fit in any single blade folder that I have.

But ultimately, I like the idea of a removable lip, so that I can have something like 1/8 or even 1/4 to work on something huge, and even 1/16 or 5/64 for some of the very tiny ones.
The other suggestion for it to come to a blade edge, assuming it could be used to split open a knife, perhaps even cutting the center pin, or pivot etc.. As such a tool would be useful, it would not be so in constant use.

I am going to assume most people aren't using these or they would be much more readily available in the primary market. I don't know, if they are meant to be the SAK of tool though. With a few well placed holes, they could pre-head rivets of appropriate sizes, with a good hardened flat they could be used for general anvil stuff, with a well placed step they could be used to crink, or do stuff like perhaps stamping the tang in an assembled knife, and with the big groove they can also be used to work on knives in different states of "open" having that free area for the blade to go down into. So the (horn/tongue/whatever it should be called) seems to add uses, but only at specific sizes and depths. I assume, initially it was only to peen pins for scales/shields being worked on without disassembly of the knife. However, at 1/8 x 1/2 it is certainly limited in the knives it could service. So having this part attachable and interchangeable would make lots of sense. One, could even have one that would be a proper (all be it tiny) horn. There was even a different design I was considering that would have allowed connections, not only at either end, but also on the sides, so one could have multiple in place at a time and switch easily between them without going through screw modifications.

So, what other tasks besides servicing the assembled knife scales/shield would this feature be meant to serve? I think you may have mentioned a time or two that this one is too short, what should the dimensions actually be? Do you use one of these? Can I see a picture of yours?
 
Busto said:
Just use one of the 40's it will be a used belt in 30 seconds of, and give you a reference for that 24 you plan to order.
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That's the plan. I was figuring on burning through the AO and replacing them with Zirconia or Ceramic afterwards. Just looking for the best supplier. Now I am hearing mixed things about CA. But lots of folks seem to like Tru-Grit instead. End of next week I will be going to the Extravaganza at Klingspore so I will get a chance to chat with them about abrasives. They may have some input. First time since COVID .... https://www.woodworkingextravaganza.com/
 
Remember, these anvils are primarily used for assembling knives, or tightening up loose rivets on assembled knives.
There are much more useful "anvils" for disassembly.
If I have time later, I'll take some pictures of the stuff in my shop.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Remember, these anvils are primarily used for assembling knives, or tightening up loose rivets on assembled knives.
There are much more useful "anvils" for disassembly.
If I have time later, I'll take some pictures of the stuff in my shop.
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I look forward to that!
I have been collecting up old questionable knives to get a feel for fixing and such. Unfortunately, the majority will need more than re-handing, so they will have to be split. I am hoping to have a few that the blades are serviceable and need re-handing. I thought I got that but the main blade is so loose I figure I will have to split that one too :( Granted, I realize I can accomplish this same goal with a spare piece to knife steel belt at a 90° and stuck in the metal vise. But it is a cool looking tool, and should be a fun project.
 
So I gave the belt grinder a workout tonight. Thumbs are good and burned. :)

General shape is looking good. Almost thin enough ,but still a little too thick. I am debating finishing it with the mill. It will fit the camilus camp knife so there is that.
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Had a bad storm and subsequent power outage this evening.
Tomorrow will be a busy day. Remind me to take/post pictures.
 
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