Let's see your push stick!

Thanks guys, I did find a few on eBay.ca. Would 0.39" diameter rod be large enough or should I get bigger? It is as big as what I am using now so I guess it would work but I am curious if larger works better.
Thanks
 
Lloyd, I'm a big fan of your knives and razors, I'd sure like a link to your old video or a new one!

Seeing Nick use this technique in the fighting bowie video sure changed the way I look at my grinding- I thought I had invented this, and never really saw other makers using it, so I assumed I was doing it wrong or cheating! But since I need every cheat i can think of to make decent results....there it is.
I probably say that every day at the local market- "How do you get it like that?" "I cheat."
 
Here 'ya go fellas.

I've made a couple dozen grinding push sticks over the last several years, and this is my current favorite. It's 3/4" or 7/8" (can't remember for sure) diam. teflon rod. The angled tip lets me pinpoint the pressure, the thumb purchase increases that with an improved grip. There is definitely Tim Hancock influence here. :) And my good buddy Mike Quesenberry is to thank for knocking me upside the head to ditch the UHMW and try the teflon. :foot: :D

push stick 1.jpg push stick 2.jpg push stick 3.jpg
 
Thanks guys for this post, I've ordered a few feet of 1/2" and am looking forward to turning a few handles and making a few push-sticks. Though wood and everything else seems to work "ok," it'll be nice to have something sturdier.
 
th


Works for me. Your mileage may vary.
 
james terrio said:
th


Works for me. Your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...
I use it to grind lenghtwise on the platen and i was surprised that even if my platen is made of steel, it doesn't stick the blade on the platen!!! enough strenght to hold well the blade altough not enough to transform the blade itself into a strong magnet.
 
Maelstrom78 said:
I just picked up another one of those. I'll put one layer of shop rag in between the magnet and the steel to avoid scratches from the grinding dust.
Click to expand...

That should help some. I once tried wrapping one in black tape for the same reason, but it was more hassle to clean it off when it got all fouled up than it was worth. I only use it for basic hogging so scratches aren't really an issue.

I use the magnet mostly for tapering tangs (lengthwise on the platen as stezann mentioned) and for keeping thin blades from flexing while grinding bevels/blade tapers.
Also handy for smaller blades.

I suppose one could grind a couple small shelves into it like a normal push stick, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.
 
I also use the red welding magnet for surface grinding ;0) and I also bought a 1 inch round/flat rare earth magnet to hold the bits and pieces, I use a piece of clear plastic from the last package wrapper I have to serve as a scratch guard

compressed air works surprisingly well for cleaning the magnets off, especially if you dip them in water first

I have never used a push stick I prefer a fabric finger bandage, that way I can still feel the heat, and know when its time to dip
 
Ok necrothread I know. But Nick does the small notch taken out of the side of the rod that would contact the blade for? Seems like it would not work for getting underneath a blade to grind without a rest.

*headscratch*. I've got an Esteem 2x72 on the way so I must be "nesting" for it.

Thanks!
 
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