Plunge Line Problems

This is one of the variables I've been looking for but didn't recognize. It explains why I sometimes have a sweeping plunge line on one side of the knife and a right-angle plunge on the other side. The belt has a different flexibility from side to side.

Steve Beckwith suggested turning the belt around so that the same side of the belt shapes both plunge lines. I'll experiment with breaking in the belt on both sides and turning the belt over.

I followed the link to your knives. You are producing some fantastic blades. They look as perfect as if they were machined on a CNC mill. You really have your process down pat. I admire your skill!
 
I have learned to use a homemade file guide and place it approximately .25 inches from where the plunge line will end up. I then use Norton ceramic blaze belts in 60,80, and 120 with the file guide in place.

I then move the file guide back to the final location or remove completely. Then will move up to a Norton 200 grit ceramic belt with the belt hanging off approximately 1/4 inches. Start the grind on the corner of the plunge line you just created on the portion of the belt that's hanging off. This will cause the belt to bend.

Different weight belts and how far the belt is hanging over the edge, will determine how curved or straight your plunge will be. Just be cautious because if you grind to deeply you will create new sharp plunge lines at the edge of your new beautiful sweeping lines. After the initial grind I go slow, as in ~20% MAX on my Northridge with vfd and use liberal amounts of windex. Happy grinding!
 
Hugh Buchanan said:
I followed the link to your knives. You are producing some fantastic blades. They look as perfect as if they were machined on a CNC mill. You really have your process down pat. I admire your skill!
Click to expand...

Thanks, no automation here.

Just a lot of mistakes learned from :D
 
I've been having good success filing in my plunges with a chainsaw file, roughing out the bevels 80-90% on my 2x42, then refining the bevels with a filing jig.

One thing I like about this method is that it's giving me good freehand practice on the 2x42 (opposed to 100% file work).
 
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