power grinding and temper

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kkj87a

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im aware that using power grinders may affect your temper. is it possible to use a power grinder lightly and not affect temper? is the temper only affected if the steel begins to change color and can it be affected with out any visible signs?

if i run the grinder on a low rpm and just tap on an off the blade with the grinder, grinding in small increments... will the heat build instantly and then dissipate immediately, with me unable to feel the heat immediately after i remove the grinder from the steel?
 
You can grind on steel once it has been hardened and tempered you just have to work slow and cool the blade in water after every pass. Production knives are all finished sharpened on power equipment and some makers such as krein regrind the bevels to thin out the blade. If you can keep your hand on it you are fine. You only start to do damage when the steel discolors which happens around 450 F if I remember correctly. You might get more answers to questions like these in the makers area or even the tinkering and maintenance section.
 
awesome, thanks. anyone else second this? yea those hardware store axes are virtually worthless without a TOTAL reshape its ridiculous.
 
An ax is going to be tempered soft anyways because it is also an impact tool. Plus most axes have so much mass that the heat will be pulled away from the edge better than a thin knife blade. If you take your time and dunk it in a bucket of water after each pass you will be fine.
 
Are you talking about a belt sander/grinder, or a bench grinding wheel?

If you are talking about a belt grinder, then yes it can be done. You just have to be careful, and work very slow. If the blade feels warm then dip it in water. You don't want the blade to be warm at all. You want to be able to touch any part of it and not feel to much heat.

If you are talking about a grinding wheel, IMO don't even try it! Those can cause a real problem. The aluminum oxide wheels just heat up far to fast.
 
I seriously doubt if all other sharpening methods combined have ruined as many knives as a grinding wheel. :thumbdn::thumbdn:
 
kkj87a said:
awesome, thanks. anyone else second this? yea those hardware store axes are virtually worthless without a TOTAL reshape its ridiculous.
Click to expand...

those hardware store axes are run on the soft side, if you put a thin edge on it there would be edge damage when you chop with the axe. you might want to get a custom-made axe, those could take thinner edges as the steel is run harder.
 
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