I am new to knifemaking and i have a few questions on plunge cuts. When making the plunge cut using a file guide,do i file down to the scribe line(witness line) before i take it to the grinder? Is this done with a round file or a triangle file? Is this done on a angle like 45 degrees? Can someone please show me some pics or a WIP? Thanks
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Plunge cuts
- Thread starter Jsteele
- Start date
Fred.Rowe
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- May 2, 2004
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The angle is what your eye deems correct. Use a lath bastard which is safe[no teeth]on the edges, to make the initial plunge cut. You can do the same thing on your grinder; adjust the belt so it rides slightly over the edge of the platen. Do one side and adjust the belt to run over a little on the other side of the platen.
Fred
Fred
Ideally, you will have two parallel center lines for the edge, about .015/.020 apart. File to them with a parallel round file, and blend the blade bevels into them. Some use a round file with a flat as a bottom. I just use a round. Use a file at or close to the thickness of the blade stock to get good crisp edges. 3/16" steel, 3/16" round file.
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When I made my very first knife using hand tools, I marked the center lines, cobbled together a makeshift file guide, and used a round file to file down to the line (leaving the proper pre- Heat Treat edge thickness.) Then lots of filing and draw filing was needed to get the rest of the bevels to the same thickness.
I don't know if this was the best way, but it seemed to work out fine and get the job done (eventually).
I don't know if this was the best way, but it seemed to work out fine and get the job done (eventually).
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- May 3, 2004
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Jsteele,
I do my plunges at an angle, and although I use my belt sander, you can do them easily with a round file, a 1/4" for thicker steel and a 5/32" for thinner stock. You can see pics of how the angle plunge here on some knives I just finished.
http://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/s...f-what-I-have-been-working-on&p=5403#post5403
Thanks,
Del
I do my plunges at an angle, and although I use my belt sander, you can do them easily with a round file, a 1/4" for thicker steel and a 5/32" for thinner stock. You can see pics of how the angle plunge here on some knives I just finished.
http://www.kitchenknifeforums.com/s...f-what-I-have-been-working-on&p=5403#post5403
Thanks,
Del
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2006
- Messages
- 3,953
What type of grinder are you using? If it's a 2x72 then you can drift a belt over the edge of the platen.
One thing to really help you get a feel for this is to get a bunch of the thick paint stirrers from your local hardware store, use a 120 or so belt and practice them. This will also help with your weak hand grinding.
Another tip is to grind your first plunge cut with your weak hand so you can more easily match it with your dominant hand.
One thing to really help you get a feel for this is to get a bunch of the thick paint stirrers from your local hardware store, use a 120 or so belt and practice them. This will also help with your weak hand grinding.
Another tip is to grind your first plunge cut with your weak hand so you can more easily match it with your dominant hand.
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- Sep 16, 2002
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No problem...I like pictures too!
Here is what it looked like after the rest of the filing, and then the finished knife.
Hope that helps!
Here is what it looked like after the rest of the filing, and then the finished knife.
Hope that helps!
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Good show, Paul, and good knife too !!! Frank
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man - my first knife was a piece of pooh compared to that.
good tips. I use grinder and guide, but still nice to remember when a file was the best option.
good tips. I use grinder and guide, but still nice to remember when a file was the best option.
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2002
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- 1,577
Good luck, Jsteele. Post some pics of what you come up with.
I have personally found that if you are able to grind nice bevels on the grinder, making nice plunges on the grinder isn't much more to ask of yourself, but I know there are maker's who do it the way you are planning to. If you use a file guide of some sort, it's even easier to get decent plunges on the grinder.
I have personally found that if you are able to grind nice bevels on the grinder, making nice plunges on the grinder isn't much more to ask of yourself, but I know there are maker's who do it the way you are planning to. If you use a file guide of some sort, it's even easier to get decent plunges on the grinder.