Recommend some grinding videos?

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BubbaW

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Feb 17, 2019
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Anything on YouTube, that sort of thing?

I'm really struggling to get my right and left side bevels to match up better.
 
Fred Rowe's Bubble Jig grinding videos.
 
Bubble Jig is a good investment when you are beginning. Next best thing to in person I would say.

I seem to remember the Ekim video and yes all of Nick Wheeler's stuff.

A carbide faced file guide will serve you well too. I got mine from Bruce Bump.

He doesn't know it but I press the face of it against my grinder for 5 minutes 3X/week like some sort of grinding voodoo doll to drain some of his skill over to me bit by bit. I am 20 times better than I was before and he has to take 1 extra grinding pass every 10 knives he finishes so it's working.
 
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I'll watch some of the videos mentioned, that sounds like a good start

I've considered the bubble jig and maybe a file guide, but I'd like to identify where my problem is and try and fix it with practice, if possible

I was going to practice with some scrap steel later today, I'll try and post a picture or two. Grinding right side (right hand holding the tang) just looks much cleaner. Although I struggle to get the right side grind down to the spine, if that makes sense.

Then the left side is more likely to have some waves, and plunges all the way to the spine in no time. It's just so frustrating.

Oh, and I'm right handed...
 
It's all about practice in getting your left and right grinds symmetrical. buy some mild steel, get some cheapy 60 grit belts and just do a few dozen attempts, all the while closely watching what your doing when something doesn't go right, and trying to correct it as you do. Once you figure out what's causing it, it becomes easy to correct and muscle memory then takes over as you get more comfortable doing it.

Also, yeah get the file guide. You would be hard pressed to find a single mastersmith alive right now not using one. And that's for a reason.
 
Hmm, I guess I was thinking of the file guide like a grinding jig. Kind of a crutch that would keep me from learning to grind. But I'll look into getting one and trying it out.
 
Videos are helpful to a point, I like Ekim knives videos. But the problem is videos can't translate the very fine pressure control really needed. There was a post a few months ago that I found very helpful on this topic:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/tips-on-beveling-on-a-2x72.1550595/page-2

File guides are helpful (Behnke here), but certainly not a magic bullet either. I throw money at this and there are certainly things that help, like file guide, hardened flat platen (need to go back to ceramic glass again and try), good grinder, good belts, good light...

But realize and know in my heart that nothing can replace time at practice.
 
When I was starting to make decent knives I watched every free video I could get and then began to buy videos by professional knife makers. The most expensive BUT the best video is by Steven R. Johnson making a sub hilt fighter. I have watched it dozens of times and even after selling hundreds of knives I still watch it. He is one of the best knife makers in the world...spend the fifty bucks and watch it over and over as you grind. Just my opinion. Larry
 
BubbaW said:
I'll watch some of the videos mentioned, that sounds like a good start

I've considered the bubble jig and maybe a file guide, but I'd like to identify where my problem is and try and fix it with practice, if possible

I was going to practice with some scrap steel later today, I'll try and post a picture or two. Grinding right side (right hand holding the tang) just looks much cleaner. Although I struggle to get the right side grind down to the spine, if that makes sense.

Then the left side is more likely to have some waves, and plunges all the way to the spine in no time. It's just so frustrating.

Oh, and I'm right handed...
Click to expand...
I watched all those mentioned, thankfully, and have ground about 100 + blades so I am a beginner as well. I used the bubble jug to get the correct feel of holding the knife consistently against the platen. As I went along I used it more to start the grind. I have a much better feel now and can freehand so you can believe that there is light t the end of the tunnel. You are striving for the muscle memory that keeps your left hand from doing something that your right hand is unaware of (and visa versa). The bubble gig come with a very usable file guide. I still use it all the time, especially when I screw up the plunges and need to be rescued. Last tip from a beginner- go to home depot and buy paint stirs, both the 12" and 36". If I haven't ground for a while I grind up a bunch of these to wake my hands up. Much cheaper than grinding up hardened steel.
 
I’ve been following Paul Lusk (I believe that’s the right last name) on Facebook. He’s been doing some live streams and are very helpful!

Also like Ekim knives, nick wheeler, simple little life, Walter sorrells.
 
Howard1 said:
... Last tip from a beginner- go to home depot and buy paint stirs, both the 12" and 36". If I haven't ground for a while I grind up a bunch of these to wake my hands up. Much cheaper than grinding up hardened steel.
Click to expand...

Can I second Howard's advice!?

Wood for practice. I used 1/4"+ baseboard wood to practice various techniques. Profile some just like the knife your going to make. Then grind it just like for reals.

This way you can test all the various techniques you'll see in the videos (tilt, twist, hollow, convex, flat, etc.) You can see what you're doing very fast. Also, every once in a while coat the sides with a black Sharpy, to see if you are staying flat thru the whole grind. One a freshly blacked side, you should be able to make one pass removes all the black (In other words, there aren't any divots in the surface from prior grinds). Once you can do that, move on to the mild steel.

Besides, when you're done give 'em to the kids for toys. My boys played forever, with my wooden practice blades.
 
bubble jig and the bubble jig videos. i always practice new grinds on thin wood or paint stirring sticks.
 
I can relate. Another plus for Ekim Knives. Many of the videos I have watched multiple times. His approach is very good particularly when I was just starting out.
 
BubbaW said:
Hmm, I guess I was thinking of the file guide like a grinding jig. Kind of a crutch that would keep me from learning to grind. But I'll look into getting one and trying it out.
Click to expand...
It's pretty easy to tell if a blade has been ground using a Bubble Jig; how you say? Looking down the spine towards the tip, you will note the entire spine is aligned with the rest of the blade, it will match the primary bevel grinds. The tip is in the center, the ricasso is true to the rest of the knife, the tang is square to the entire knife so the handle fits like a glove. If a BJ was used to put the first edge on, the edge will be in the center of the blade.
I can grind without using a BJ, but with one, I can grind much faster and more accurately overall. Watch the videos, the old man on the grinder is good for a laugh:)
https://www.youtube.com/user/bethelridgeforge/videos

Regards, Fred
.
 
Fred.Rowe said:
It's pretty easy to tell if a blade has been ground using a Bubble Jig; how you say? Looking down the spine towards the tip, you will note the entire spine is aligned with the rest of the blade, it will match the primary bevel grinds. The tip is in the center, the ricasso is true to the rest of the knife, the tang is square to the entire knife so the handle fits like a glove. If a BJ was used to put the first edge on, the edge will be in the center of the blade.
I can grind without using a BJ, but with one, I can grind much faster and more accurately overall. Watch the videos, the old man on the grinder is good for a laugh:)
https://www.youtube.com/user/bethelridgeforge/videos

Regards, Fred
.
Click to expand...

Did you develop the magic tool, or what? I can't tell if you are being serious or not.

Having all those things checked off doesn't mean you are using a bubble jig, it means you have practiced, practiced, practiced. Bubble jig or not.
 
bmilleker said:
Did you develop the magic tool, or what? I can't tell if you are being serious or not.

Having all those things checked off doesn't mean you are using a bubble jig, it means you have practiced, practiced, practiced. Bubble jig or not.
Click to expand...


If you are close to our shop, I will gladly host you for a day. Many makers that have stopped by our shop, leave with a Bubble Jig in hand. If you are not close enough for driving, I'll send you a BJ, and you can decide for your self ; whether I'm far off the mark. I'm always serious by the way.

Regards, Fred

PS Edited to soften the tone. :)
 
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