It has to be standing at the grinder...

Core Knife Co.

Core Knife Co.

Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
1,367
...Because there is no way I'm that old and jacked up. Okay, so I'm not that old but I am pretty busted up. But that still doesn't explain this. The last two days I've been standing at the grinder for 16 hours working on 35 blades. I've never put two 8 hour days straight at the grinder before. I still have a more than a few to get through. I'm not exactly quick at this. Yesterday night, after a shower as I was walking down the stairs, my calves were killing me. Now tonight, it's like I did 5000 calf raises yesterday. I can barley walk. My son is mocking me.

My necks sore, as expected, but I can't figure out this calf thing. I'm in descent shape. Hike a lot. Workout pretty regularly. Coach youth sports. So it's not like I just hopped up off the couch after 5 years of hibernation. It has to be my grinding pose stretching out something in the calf that isn't used to being stretched. Am I crazy or just sissy? Anyone else? Ever?
 
What's your footwear?

does it have a heel ?

I have steel toes with a heel and it hurts the back of my calves after


Sore neck? try raising the grinder or something too.
 
Also try a padded work mat. I spend my days on my feet at work and the mats make a huge difference.
 
A pair of Vans usually.

I think I know where you're going. I should jump on the phone and see about getting a Dr. Sholls Orthotics sponsorship.

It makes total sense now. If I had my Danners on with a heel it would take that pull out of my calf.

We need a /facepalm right about now.
 
That is a lot of Knives... Got any photos? haha

Sorry about your pain...
 
Dansko is another one to look at to protect calves. They shift weight off the heel to the ball of the foot. They feel weird at first, definitely try on before buying. I wear them occasionally to give my feet relief. Also feel like a chick in high heels but I ain't too worried about my looks.
 
Another vote for a padded floor covering/work mat.

We had a Blockbuster video store that closed here, and during the remodel the contractor threw out several dozen 18"x18" black carpet squares. I swiped 'em out of the dumpster, put them down in the garage to (hopefully) keep my feet warmer, and an added benefit was that my legs don't ache nearly as much.

So, not the best, but free, and a big help. (I've seen them on craigslist a couple of times.)

~Chris

ps - here's another vote for pics of those 35 knives. ;)
 
Sit down! It puts a lot less stress on your body.
 
1. Pics or it didn't happen.
2. Floor mats floor mats floor mats.
3. Floor mats and pictures.

That is all. Move along, nothing to see. :)

Pictures!
 
Fred.Rowe said:
Sit down! It puts a lot less stress on your body.
Click to expand...

I agree, it also allows you to be much more stable. I don't know about anyone else but when I sit the way I have it, I can set my wrists on my knees and really brace my hands.
 
I actually tried a stool after watching one of Fred's videos. Not happening. Maybe as my confidence grows and I get more comfortable.

None of these are ready for heat treat. My MAP arm should be here on Monday and I have hand sanding and detail work on every blade I still need to get to. So here is 33 of the 35 I started with. Two of them had problems conforming and getting along so I kicked them off the team. They're all convex ground. Some sabre and some full height.

KnifePatterns414.jpg


KnifePatterns412.jpg


KnifePatterns423.jpg
 
I talked to Jonny about OKCA last night. My two problems are my youth baseball team I manage and also not having a table. I don't want to just roll up with a backpack full of knives and be "that guy". I'm more than likely going to make it down there if only for a day. Way too many people I want to meet. If I'm lucky I might even be able to score a JMK or a R Weeks knife.
 
That's inspiring, Michael! You have a cool variety of designs and grinds going on there, and plenty of them. Keep up the good work! :thumbup:

Padding on the floor, and good shoes, definitely helps. But I gotta mention posture and ergonomics. No amount of cushioning will take the place of working with your body, instead of against it.

Sitting or standing, if you have to either lean over or stretch back, you will eventually injure yourself. Those are the kind of injuries that may take years to really be noticed, and may never get truly corrected. That kind of stress on one's joints, tendons etc. can be ignored with OTC pain pills, but that only masks the real problem. The human body is a marvelous feat of engineering, but when we twist it into uncomfortable positions... people end up crippled.

Build your benches and workstations to suit YOU. Design them so that when you're working, your body is balanced, your shoulders are square, your noggin is facing forward, your hips are aligned with your center of gravity, etc.
 
Your calf muscles (gastrocnemius and Soleus) are important for stabilizing up right posture. As you were grinding your head posture was anterior of your were center of gravity and for every inch your head moves forward it increases about 10lbs of force to your postural muscles. So if your head is anterior of your COG by 6" then at least 60lbs of force was added to the burden of your postural muscles to keep you up right.

As your head went forward the calf muscles and the neck muscle where under constant strain trying to keep you from falling forward.

So the next day when the inflammation and lactic acid sets in the muscles it feels like someone beat the shit out of you :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top