Nail Nicks?

[TheGent]

How are nail nicks put in the blade on slip joints? Can I buy some kind of dremel tool bit and do my own by hand? How do the custom knife makers do theirs? Want to start making knives and this is one of the few tools that I do not have on hand. I would also like to redo some nail nicks on knives that are too small. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

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[John L]

There are many ways to do it but only a couple that are much good. You may chuck up an abrasive wheel on an arbor in your drill press and cut one. You can chuck up a dovetail bit in a vertical mill and cut the knick. You can use a fly cutter in either a vertical or horizontla mill and cut it......this method probably being the best and most versatile. I have also seen a cup stone in a surface grinder used to cut the knick. All work but I think the fly cutter is the best and you may vary the size of the arc easily.....obtaining either a fat or skinny knick. If you want to redo a knick you must either use an abrasive wheel/stone or anneal the blade and cut with a mill. Good luck. It takes a bit of messing around before you will find one you like.