question about regrinding a knife

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holmsie12

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Mar 23, 2011
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I am interested in taking out a recurve of one of my knives, as well as change the blade shape of another. To do this I have a basic bench grinder. I was wondering if the heat caused by the grinding will ruin the heat treatment of the steel, and If so, what are the work around for regrinding a blade? Thanks in advance.
 
I sure wouldn't try it with a bench grinder. You are correct the heat and other issues wouldn't be a pretty situation.
 
Please don't try to regrind your knife with a bench grinder; you will ruin the aesthetics and possibly the heat treat.

Your best bet would be to contact a knife maker here on the forums, and have them complete the modification for you.
 
Get a pail of cold water and dip the blade after every light pass. Do not let the blade get hot to the touch. If you keep the blade cool to the touch, you will not screw up the heat treatment. Do not let the blade get red while grinding, and do not let the blade develop a blue color upon cooling. I have reshaped many blades composed of various steels and have not lost one yet. Go slow, use a lot of coolant! A belt grinder would develop less heat than a grinding wheel. Buy a old knife at a flea market and practice on it.
 
This is better asked in a knifemaker forum. Customs and Handmade is more for collectors. I moved it to Shop Talk.
If you would like to ask for a knifemaker to do this for you, you can ask here:

Wanted: Knifemaker / Craftsman / Related Services

Have a knife design you want built? Heat treating needs? Damascus Desires? Embellishment Enquiries? Creative Customization Curiosity? This is your place to solicit work. Anyone can post threads, however ONLY KnifeMaker / Craftsman / Materials Providers may reply to threads
 
thanks for the input everyone. I think I am too worried about ruining the heat treat to do this. I have done it with cheap knives and can get them to look the way I want, but I don't think its worth me doing it to a nice knife on the bench grinder.
 
A bench grinder is just about the absolute worst tool to use when dealing with knife blades, for lots of reasons. Study up or contact a pro to do it for you.
 
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