Milling Bevels and Plunges on a Hand Mill

[J. Keeton]

I've done some extensive searching on the bladeforms google search engine. It seems like this topic has come up before, but didn't get much traction.

I was wondering if there are any knifemakers out there that utilize a non-CNC mill to mill in bevels and/or perfect plunge cuts.

In reality I'd assume it would take longer (depending on the mill) than grinding them in, but I've more so become curious to see if anyone has tried it. If you did try it did you use a tapered end mill? Did you utilize a soft jaw angle jig like Nathan the Machinist's 2014 WIP?

My mini-mill will likely only be utilized for milling guards and shoulders... but it sounds like a fun project to try out plunges and/or bevels.

Cheers,
JK

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

I think that tilting the head or the work piece is a good approach to this rather than a tapered cutter. Better selection of cutters that cost less and work better, and your plunge isn't a cone.

I use CNC, but if I didn't have CNC I'd mill them on a manual. You could get a lot of it. Perfect plunge and even centered edge. It's a lot faster and cleaner to cut chips rather than grind dust. Obviously you need CNC to do the whole bevel (unless it's a straight blade with no belly) but a mill would help get you started. I think it would be more popular with knife makers if more makers had mills and were familiar with the process.

 

[kuraki]

Yep what nathan said. Ive been thinking lately about a jig to hold in a vise and using angle blocks rather than tilting the head.

But as a way to set your plunges and edge then going to the grinder to finish the tip and any distal taper I think it has merit.

 

[J. Keeton]

Excellent points. Nathan the Machinist your WIP threads that still have supported photos are extremely helpful/interesting. Thanks for posting these techniques freely! This is something I'll need to try out.


Just for anyone reading this thread; this is the soft jaw jig Nathan made that I was referring to:



Page 4 of this thread: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/advanced-knife-machining-wip-pointy-fighter.1048443/page-4

 

[Nathan the Machinist]

We have made many thousands of knives this way over the years. It has proven to be an efficient and effective way to make a high quality bevel.

Assuming you like a larger sweeping plunge in your design it's an ideal way to dial in accurate repeatable geometry. Better than a Berger grinder in my experience.

We give it a little finish grind to take any tool marks off and tumble it.

 

[CWendling]

I dont think youll have much fun/luck doing it on a mini-mill though

 

[SBuzek]

https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Tactical-Knife-Milling/dp/1466211369
check out Don's book

 

[Drew Riley]

https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Tactical-Knife-Milling/dp/1466211369
check out Don's book

I was just gonna say, I think I remember Don Robinson showing some pics of a milling set up for one of his folders, on the Knife Network folder forum. That was years ago though, I may be remembering wrong.

 

[J. Keeton]

I dont think youll have much fun/luck doing it on a mini-mill though

Probably not ideal. Would have to be a small knife...

https://www.amazon.com/How-Make-Tactical-Knife-Milling/dp/1466211369
check out Don's book

Thanks for the reference!

 

[Hengelo_77]

I have a folder by North Arms. They mill bevels and leave small lines. That actualy was a reason for me to buy one

not my pic:

 

[kuraki]

That appears to be 3D milled.