Plunges...grrrrrrr?

P

PaMtnBkr

Joined
Dec 31, 2009
Messages
393
So I am making my first knife and so far so good except for the plunges. I guess I should explain. I am doing my 1st knife from .125 1084 and making a little 8" OAL w/a 3.875 drop point blade, full flat grind and all I have is files and sandpaper. Ambitious yes, but I wanted to my 1st by hand to better learn what I can screw up at high speed once I have a belt grinder cobbled together! Anyway, I cut my plunges w/a chainsaw file after profiling and they are nice and even on both sides because I made a little clamp out of .625 bar stock to clamp on while fioling in the plunges. I am filing and working w/Sandpaper and can't seem to stay off the handle side of the plunge so now it's all screwed up. Any tips for my next one? Thanks! Don
 
If you just slip a little you can use tape to protect the areas you don't want to scratch up. My knives spend a lot of time with the surfaces I'm not working covered in tape to avoid scratches and scuffs.
 
One thing I do is move the file away from the plunge. Slowly and carefully position the file in the plunge and move the stroke toward the tip. When sanding, use the tips expounded by Nick Wheeler's sanding tips video, which can be found on this forum with a search.
 
Don't worry man. I'm working on my first one right now and I did the same exact thing. I was able to clean it up pretty well when I did the sanding. Course I did cut the plunge too deep, but that is a whole 'nother problem. Have fun.
 
Once you have the plunges where you want them just move the file guide about 1/16" to 1/8" out onto the blade so that it prevents your file from cutting back into the plunge. This area will have to be feathered together when you do your hand sanding.
 
Thanks guys! Gives me hope! BTW-Those clamps you reference, Shaunessy are just like the ones I made! Fortunately, my plunges are not too deep! Guess I just needed some reassurances! the masking tape is coming out tonite!
 
Also, remember you can touch up the plunge with needle files.
 
Even better; clean up the plunges after heat treat with a little round diamond file. You can find these at gun shows/flea markets for about $5.
 
BTW. When it comes to needle files, there is no comparison for a good set of swiss files. I have been using the same needle files since I started knifemaking. I go through a small diamond file (round) ever year also for quick removal. But my regular set of needle files is my original Swiss set. 5 years and 1000 plunges later, I still use the same set.
 
Danbo said:
Even better; clean up the plunges after heat treat with a little round diamond file. You can find these at gun shows/flea markets for about $5.
Click to expand...

Yes, after HT for sure. I clean up the plunges almost last. Right before finish grinding. Start with files (diamond round, swiss med worn, swiss worn out) then sandpaper wrapped around the edge of a scrap of leather that has been sanded round on the edge. This is really easy to hold and control. Then finish blade with very last belt always starting at the plunge and working toward the tip. No more plunge bumps, or its back to the files and sandpaper! 10 minutes per knife. Plunges clean.
 
Does anyone use a scotch brite belt to clean up there plunge lines. I use them for that and have found it works great.
I hated to sand and file plunge lines untill I another knife maker told about them. Once I started using the scotch brite belts for plunge lines I never looked back.
If you have never tried them it might be something to try.

Bryan
 
I just ordered my first scotchbrite belt. Looking forward to start using it! I've heard good things about it.
 
A Scotchbrite belt is a gotta have, for any knifemaker's shop, IMO. Get them all, too. Maroon, Blue and green. You will use and love them all.
 
Thanks EVERYONE for all the great tips! This knife making thing is very addictive and funny thing is, since I have been working a few hours every PM hand sanding (no power tools) I sleep like a baby! I am going to be building a 2x72 belt sander soon! As soon as a guy here at works remembers to bring in a 1.5 HP motor he has had sitting around for a while and said I could have it for free!
 
Ha! Got my plunge issue all sanded out and looking good except............now I have the infamous 2" dip and I managed to do that by hand w/sandpaper. Doh! Guess I have a lot of sanding to go now to try and even it all out? Am I just chasing a tiger by the tail? First knife shoulk be called "School Knife" cuz I sure am learning some things!
 
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