plunge line STOP!!!!

samuraistuart

samuraistuart

Joined
Dec 21, 2006
Messages
3,158
I still find myself only semi-happy with my plunge lines. They are straight, they are even, but I have a problem stopping the grind once it approaches the spine. I've been under the impression that the plunge line should go all the way to the spine, as close as humanly possible! But looking at other knives that are obviously really nice, you guys blow me away here, the plunge line actually stops about 1/16" or maybe even 1/8" from the spine. And you know what.....it looks REALLY good IMHO.

I don't really have a question, just something I've noticed that I need to work better on. I need to stop about 1/8" from the spine when doing the actual plunge cutting, so that by the time sanding is done, the plunge should terminate at or just under the spine.

Thank you for the indirect direction!!!
 
I do not know what grit belts you are using, but I always save that last 1/8" to 1/16" for the last two grits I use, if that makes any sense.
 
Plunge lines? We don't need no stinking plunge lines.:offended:

The fact that you were under the impression that plunge lines should go all the way to the spine shows that you are impressionable... or that someone is a very effective impressionist.:p

I love the variety of plunge lines I see in blades. Swept plunges are pleasing to my eye. In fact a straight plunge to the spine is my least favorite. That is not to say it looks bad. It's just not my cup of tea. As I hinted to in my first sentence, many of the blades I make are plunge-less.
 
Made me laugh Rick! No...don't get me wrong...I have really gotten to love some angled plunge lines that have a good radius to them!!! My problem is that I go too far....so when you look down on the spine you can see the transition from blade to ricasso area. And from the side profile the plunge cut goes all the way "through" the spine, so to say. I don't like that at all, I have a habit of going too far with the file, and by the time it's all said and done...there is that ugly cut. I should stop much sooner than I think, I think?

I do need to work on freeing up the "design department", let "those guys" have some freedom. I will make sure to tell I, me, and myself tomorrow.
 
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If you find yourself to close to the top with your plunge just carefully grind the ricasso area and bring down it down then even it up.

Or you can leave more meat on the top of the spine, dye chem the blade and mark where you want it from the distance to the spine. Grind to that line then grind down the spine to were you want.

There is no rule you have to profile the spine to finish dimensions...you can save that to fine tune the distance to your plunge if you like
 
Same problem here. I really want my plunge line to end before it gets to the spine, it just seems by the time I get done grinding everything is to the top. I really like the knifes that leave that last little bit of uncut steel at the top especially when the metal is in more or less a natural forged state, I think it looks awesome. I have tried putting the dykem on the blade only to run right over it to the TOP. I guess I need to just slow down and stop long before I get close.
 
jtwodogs said:
Same problem here. I really want my plunge line to end before it gets to the spine, it just seems by the time I get done grinding everything is to the top. I really like the knifes that leave that last little bit of uncut steel at the top especially when the metal is in more or less a natural forged state, I think it looks awesome. I have tried putting the dykem on the blade only to run right over it to the TOP. I guess I need to just slow down and stop long before I get close.
Click to expand...

Remember to back up into the plunge. Do not start there, start ahead of it and work back to it. It also helps to use a Gator or J flex belt when working back to refine the plunge and be sure no matter what belt you use to bend the edge of the belt with a piece of steel so it flex as you work the plunge and does not cut like a file.

Work that final little top at the spine with a 220 and then 400.

Also be sure your platen or contact wheel has a radius on it for the belt to wrap around as you back up into the plunge.
 
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