I am getting everything set up to start my first knife. What is the best way to get the initial blade gride on your knife? I mean the very first step in the profile of the blade. I have been a metal worker and welder my entire life, but the art of knife building is all new to me and want some advice from the many talents i have seen here! Thanks!!
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- Thread starter willyd5
- Start date
First off, I draw out exactly what I want on card stock [printer stock]
Cut it out then tape it to the flat steel. I trace it on the steel with a C D marker. Head to the band saw and cut it out leaving it a little big. You will find out that 1/16" will change the profile of the knife.
then it is a combination of disc, bench,belt and spindle grinders to get exactly the profile that I want.
After that it's bevel time.
Good luck, Jerry
Cut it out then tape it to the flat steel. I trace it on the steel with a C D marker. Head to the band saw and cut it out leaving it a little big. You will find out that 1/16" will change the profile of the knife.
then it is a combination of disc, bench,belt and spindle grinders to get exactly the profile that I want.
After that it's bevel time.
Good luck, Jerry
Jim Adams Customs
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Willy
Skill is right. I attach my template made of heavy card stock using rubber cement. Use your small side grinder and 60 grit sanding disc to make your initial grind.
Skill is right. I attach my template made of heavy card stock using rubber cement. Use your small side grinder and 60 grit sanding disc to make your initial grind.
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I am new to making as well, I have 4 knives profiled, 3 of them beveled, 2 are packed and ready to send for heat treating. I have been going the all hand tools road and a homemade file jig to get my bevels even. I tried marker to mark out the first one but found it didn't stay well, the second one I switched to dykem and scribed my lines in just inside of where I wanted my bevels to be so the scribe marks would be filed out.
What ever method you use to mark out and cut your bevels, my best advice as a newbie to another new maker, is to take your time and go slow. As I am sure you already know you can away take material off, but you cant put it back on.
George
What ever method you use to mark out and cut your bevels, my best advice as a newbie to another new maker, is to take your time and go slow. As I am sure you already know you can away take material off, but you cant put it back on.
George
Thanks everyone! I am sure i will have many more questions once i get started. Black, The knife in your signature is amazing!! What is the handle made from? I am very exited to get my shop setup and start in. The knife builders of these forums are very inspirational. I am also taking my 15 yr old daughter on this venture with me!! She is very interested in the world of metal working, and very good with her hands. I will hopefully have some pictures in the near future of both of our work.
Nathan the Machinist
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I have two suggestions.
Leave your profile oversized until after you're done grinding the bevels. A lot of mistakes can be ground away when you finish the profile. This helps a lot with tips, which can be challenging.
And practice your bevel grinding on scrap before attempting your first blade. Nobody's first attempt is ever that great, but a lot of people's second attempt is very respectable. Some people practice on paint stir sticks. It will help to get the "feel" on something that you're not attached to.
Leave your profile oversized until after you're done grinding the bevels. A lot of mistakes can be ground away when you finish the profile. This helps a lot with tips, which can be challenging.
And practice your bevel grinding on scrap before attempting your first blade. Nobody's first attempt is ever that great, but a lot of people's second attempt is very respectable. Some people practice on paint stir sticks. It will help to get the "feel" on something that you're not attached to.