NEXT LEVEL KNIFEMAKING by Jason Fry

Tom Lewis

Tom Lewis

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Feb 24, 2000
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I got my copy of Jason's latest book. I am really impressed with it. It has lots of great information for new makers as well as the established makers.
One of the quotes in the book concerned a new maker asking an established maker for help. It said basically, "If you are talking you are not learning." I have tried to help lots of new makers and most of the time it has been a good experience but one fellow wouldn't shut his mouth long enough to learn anything. He was so full of himself that he expected me to listen to his bragging even though he had nothing to brag about.
I have a chapter in the book about how it was in the late 60's, and 70's. Back then there was no internet, there weren't even personal computers. So no U-tube. No DVD's, not even VCR's. There were a few books.
There was one maker in town but he refused to even help me a little bit. I ended up being pretty much self taught. That may have had one advantage. I learned to use a contact wheel to make a flat grind. I haven't seen anyone else grind the way I do. It's not a secret, anyone is welcome to come over and I will give them a demonstration.
Anyway, Jason's book is a nice addition to the rest of the information that we have on knifemaking.
 
Thanks for the recommendation, I will have to get one. If I was in your fantastic area of the country, I would be on the way for the demo. Very kind offer.
I use a wheel for all grinds and it is a great way to feel and even hear what your getting done. Care to elaborate on your flat grind? Does it add distal taper?
James
 
Tom Lewis Tom Lewis You might check out Charles Ochs III (Ox Forge) video on making his special forces bowie if you ever get an opportunity. IIRC, he grinds flat held vertical against a contact wheel.

No biggie. I just remembered his video and thought I'd mention.

Good book, BTW! Worthy addition to the knife making catalog.
 
Fitzo, back in 1991 I took a Damascus class with Charles Ochs as the instructor. So I saw first hand how he ground flats against a contact wheel. He used a 3" contact wheel and held his knife completely vertical. I tried that and used that grind to pass my JS test. But on the finer grits the splice tended to leave "bumps" on my blade. Charles Ochs moves the blade really fast so he doesn't get the "bumps".
I start with a 36 grit belt on a 14" contact wheel that has a very high duromiter. I use this because it removes the material quickly. I hold the blade not vertical but more of a 45 degree angle. It's hard to describe in words. I don't have the technical ability to do a video and post it on U-tube. I can barely use a word processor. If someone would like to come and video how I do it and post on U-tube they would be welcome to do so.
After shaping most of the blade I switch to a 10" contact wheel with a softer duromiter. I find this gives me a smoother finish.
Before grinding I scribe two parallel lines along the top and bottom of the blade. Using these lines I am able to do a distal taper on the blade.
I much prefer to use a contact wheel over a flat platen.
A. McPherson has seen me grind perhaps he could describe how I do it
 
Tom Lewis said:
Fitzo, back in 1991 I took a Damascus class with Charles Ochs as the instructor. So I saw first hand how he ground flats against a contact wheel. He used a 3" contact wheel and held his knife completely vertical. I tried that and used that grind to pass my JS test. But on the finer grits the splice tended to leave "bumps" on my blade. Charles Ochs moves the blade really fast so he doesn't get the "bumps".
I start with a 36 grit belt on a 14" contact wheel that has a very high duromiter. I use this because it removes the material quickly. I hold the blade not vertical but more of a 45 degree angle. It's hard to describe in words. I don't have the technical ability to do a video and post it on U-tube. I can barely use a word processor. If someone would like to come and video how I do it and post on U-tube they would be welcome to do so.
After shaping most of the blade I switch to a 10" contact wheel with a softer duromiter. I find this gives me a smoother finish.
Before grinding I scribe two parallel lines along the top and bottom of the blade. Using these lines I am able to do a distal taper on the blade.
I much prefer to use a contact wheel over a flat platen.
A. McPherson has seen me grind perhaps he could describe how I do it
Click to expand...

How cool is that? Small world, making knives. Glad I mentioned it.

I'd love to see a video of your technique, but sympathize with not knowing how. We only finally got one of these smart phones this past year and I have no idea how to do all the crap it can do. The idea of doing what you're describing sounds so enticing, not having to hog steel on a flat platen. Thanks for the great reply, Tom!
 
Have had mine a couple of days now. Tom your chapter was the first I started on after reviewing mine.

jjSF5VJ.jpg
 
Already sold out on amazon! Going to need to get my hands on this one eventually for sure. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the kind words and links. Y'all need to not buy all of mine, so I can have some for Blade show lol.

Amazon has been giving us fits, but they are set up for print on demand. They will say "out of stock" or "temp unavailable," but orders should go through and will be delivered.
 
Jason Fry said:
Thanks for the kind words and links. Y'all need to not buy all of mine, so I can have some for Blade show lol.

Amazon has been giving us fits, but they are set up for print on demand. They will say "out of stock" or "temp unavailable," but orders should go through and will be delivered.
Click to expand...

I hate giving Amazon my money. I'm sure they take a cut, no?
 
Yeah, amazon gets a little, but the publisher makes the best margin there. It's been complicated.
 
I am in England and ordered a copy from The Book Depository here on the 14th. Site showed book in stock, but order is still "processing" two days later. They it could take six days to be posted and a further two to five in transit.
 
C_Claycomb said:
I am in England and ordered a copy from The Book Depository here on the 14th. Site showed book in stock, but order is still "processing" two days later. They it could take six days to be posted and a further two to five in transit.
Click to expand...

That's about par for the course over here as well. It's been a little quicker than that, but not by much.
 
Tom Lewis said:
A. McPherson has seen me grind perhaps he could describe how I do it
Click to expand...

I have seen Tom grind a knife and quite frankly it's pretty impressive. I tried his technique and haven't quite got the hang of it yet.

So the process I remember is goes something like this...

Tom starts grinding at the plunge, blade held edge up and perpendicular to the belt. He grinds with the lower, front quarter of the wheel. After establishing the plunge and the general height of the bevel, he turns the blade approx 45° across the bottom of the wheel and removes the rest of the material that makes up the bevel.
The whole process probably takes 5 minutes to do the whole blade.

Tom, If I got anything wrong please feel free to correct me!
 
Just put my order in, thanks Jason! I almost bought it from your site before I saw your comment, lol.

I imagine they'll go quick at BladeShow. :)
 
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