Knife design

Have a big, aggressive file.

Load it with chalk REGULARLY to help in keeping the teeth clean.

Use a file card every few strokes to keep the teeth free of chips which will just gouge your blade.

Almost everyone I've ever helped has ignored this advice.... and their filing work takes 5 times longer because of that. ;) :)
 
Good advice Nick! I don't understand why everyone says to ignore you...;)
Mace
 
Mace said:
Good advice Nick! I don't understand why everyone says to ignore you...;)
Mace
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I think it's because the Robot formerly known as Matt Gregory invented some sort of gizmo-gadget that prints (via satellite of course) "Ignore Me" on every shirt that I ever buy. :mad:
 
Fletch Helical said:
Cardboard works as a template and to give you an idea how it will feel.
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Cardboard works, but poplar from Lowes/Home Depot works a lot better. A big old board of poplar 1/4" X 5" X 4' is like $3 and you can cut out a ton of blank templates, profile the template perfectly, and reuse the template over and over and over.
 
I was waiting for Matt ( fletch helical) to chime in. He is just a few steps ahead of you on his first project,too.

Time in doing a first ( or tenth) knife is in days not hours. Do a little, take a break, do some more. etc. Each time you come back. Remove the knife from the clamp ( if it isn't too much work) and look it over good. You may see things that you didn't notice. Also, do a little on one side and a little on the other. The funniest ( not to him) thing I think I saw was a lad I was teaching took the knife blade home on Saturday to it a little. He stayed up way into the wee hours, and sanded the blade to 400 grit. It was perfect...... clean ricasso, flat bevel, etc. Problem was he only did one side, and the edge was about 90% toward the other. It became a smaller knife by the time the other side was done.

Take your time...it will be worth the extra effort.
Stacy
 
I was expecting to put a lot of time into it, but this is freaking incredible. Could I take a dremel tool, and use one of those grindstone bit things to file it? Would that work?
 
Dont laugh. 6 hours of work, and her I am.
2603879
 
Get yourself a Nicholson Magicut file, they work better than any other I've tried. I made probably 80 knives this way before I got a grinder. This file will also make sanding easier later on..does not leave the deep scratches like a bastard file does. As long a you keep it clean that is good luck Mike :D
 
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