Mad at myself, or knowing when to stop

Jarrett Fleming said:
We all have off days sometimes. Whether you've been making knives for 20 years or 20 days you will still have a couple of throw aways.
I'm sure you've heard this before but I'll say it again, because it is some of the best advice that I have ever been given. Use belt's like you stole them! The cost of a belt is a lot cheaper than the cost of a knife you ruined by trying to get the most out of a belt. Not saying that this is your problem, but it was definitely a problem for me a few times in the past.
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Jarrett, I think something is off on my 2x42. It is making belts wobble, but only sometimes. It's not the belts. I wonder if my tension is too loose. I hate to mess with it too much.
 
Some of my worst screw-ups,when I came back to it later ,with a refreshed mind ,have become some of my greatest pieces.Either it wasn't as bad as I thought it was ,or my improved attitude saved it .
 
Keep at it!

I have been there many times... what is important is that you work through it and just keep on making more knives. The next ones will be easier I bet.

I was digging through my drawer full of junk knives the other day and it really made me happy to realize that my old problems have shifted to new problems! :D I just keep at it and try to make the next one better.
 
Daniel Fairly Knives said:
Keep at it!

I have been there many times... what is important is that you work through it and just keep on making more knives. The next ones will be easier I bet.

I was digging through my drawer full of junk knives the other day and it really made me happy to realize that my old problems have shifted to new problems! :D I just keep at it and try to make the next one better.
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Thanks DF. Could I give you a call some time. I've been wanting to bounce a couple things off of you.
 
One thing that helps me when I am chasing a grind is to mark the high spots. I use those crayon pencils that you peel. Sharpie will work, but then you can't use it on handle materials also. I look at the grind from the end, and decide where the high points are. Mark those high points and go back to the grinder only removing the mark then look again. Do not continue to run the belt over the low spot!!! Keep marking the high places and removing them until you get them close, then blend into the low spots (thin edged parts of your grind).

This may seem so stupid simple, but I think it is critical, and I have observed it in multiple stock removal professions. There are a lot of professions that rely on stock removal techniques. They invariably, set or decide on a low spot in the design, then work the high spots down to match the low. Barbers, landscapers, and flint knappers are a few quick examples. So, any time you are chasing a shape, stick to the high spots and stop touching the low spots until you're ready to blend and finish. This is important for handle shaping just as much as it is for grinds. I use those peelable crayon pencils for this on handles and blades. Mark the high spots, and only touch those. Any ajustment of the low requires a total re-shaping of the high spots to match it so stay away from them.
 
Fiddleback said:
One thing that helps me when I am chasing a grind is to mark the high spots. I use those crayon pencils that you peel. Sharpie will work, but then you can't use it on handle materials also. I look at the grind from the end, and decide where the high points are. Mark those high points and go back to the grinder only removing the mark then look again. Do not continue to run the belt over the low spot!!! Keep marking the high places and removing them until you get them close, then blend into the low spots (thin edged parts of your grind).

This may seem so stupid simple, but I think it is critical, and I have observed it in multiple stock removal professions. There are a lot of professions that rely on stock removal techniques. They invariably, set or decide on a low spot in the design, then work the high spots down to match the low. Barbers, landscapers, and flint knappers are a few quick examples. So, any time you are chasing a shape, stick to the high spots and stop touching the low spots until you're ready to blend and finish. This is important for handle shaping just as much as it is for grinds. I use those peelable crayon pencils for this on handles and blades. Mark the high spots, and only touch those. Any ajustment of the low requires a total re-shaping of the high spots to match it so stay away from them.
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And this is why I stay around here. That is wonderful advice. Where do I get those crayons? Maybe Lowes/Home Depot?
 
I never go into the shop tired.Latter after you settle down look at grind you may be able to save the blanks.if not they make good patterns.
 
No way, man. Just like all good Americans, I turn it until it breaks, then I back it off a quarter turn and act like someone else was the last to touch it. ; )

Hardest part of doing this stuff as a hobby in between life and work and family and everything else is remembering that we invariably screw up when we rush. For me, it's when I'm succeeding at it. I push too hard, and keep going past a safe quitting time. Next thing I know, I've scrapped a blade.

Lots of good advice already given here - I won't bother trying to sound sage. Just wanted you to know you're not alone!!!!
 
medicevans said:
And this is why I stay around here. That is wonderful advice. Where do I get those crayons? Maybe Lowes/Home Depot?
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Office depot. Its the paper wrapped crayon with a string running down it. You pull the string then tear off the paper to expose the crayon.
 
Fiddleback said:
Office depot. Its the paper wrapped crayon with a string running down it. You pull the string then tear off the paper to expose the crayon.
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I knew I had seen them, I just couldn't remember where. I'll go look. Thanks.

Matthew Gregory said:
No way, man. Just like all good Americans, I turn it until it breaks, then I back it off a quarter turn and act like someone else was the last to touch it.
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How could have I known, I can't be blamed! It wasn't my fault! How could I have known?!

A is A. Who is John Galt?
 
I have the same problem with making handles: I will want to get rid of a small imperfection, then end up grinding the handle too small.
 
Not a knife-maker... I just love your work and buy way too many, but I just wanted to say I love that threads exist like this and how you all help echoer out.
 
I thought of this thread the other night as I was chasing a bit of a grind and grind outdoor s and was losing light and i finally made myself stop. So glad I did came back the next day after work and was able to get everything the way I wanted.
 
Droptine5 said:
I thought of this thread the other night as I was chasing a bit of a grind and grind outdoor s and was losing light and i finally made myself stop. So glad I did came back the next day after work and was able to get everything the way I wanted.
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Good! Knowing when to stop sends like half the battle!
 
Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement.:thumbup:
 
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