sealing paper patterns

[JTknives]

i was wondering how everyone protects the paper pattern from water while grinding. this is how i do it.

first i draw up my idea then go to the copy shop and get a ton of copys. i then cut them out and stick them to the steel using a spray adhesive. then i use a Q-tip and put a coat of minwax wood hardener. let dry and coat agen.
i tryed wax but
it just melted when the steel got hot. i was having problems of the paper coming apart when i would cool the blade while grinding. how do you solve this.

 

[raythebigfoot]

I use the dykem blue to coat the steel and then use a carbide scribe to scribe the paper pattern onto the steel.

 

[Gene Martin]

Ditto Ray.

Gene

 

[mdoyle]

I like to take the paper, and precisely transfer the profile onto a piece of micarta. I then carefully walk over to the garbage can, and throw the paper inside (being very careful to not get any old food or what have you onto your skin)
I then leave the micarta laying in random places inside and outside of the house without any ill-effect.
Matt

 

[silver_pilate]

I've got a few knives I've made that I really like the pattern, but I have yet to cut out and save a pattern for a knife. If I want to make something approximately the same shape of a previously made knife, I just sketch out the rough shape on the steel stock with magic marker and then grind it out in rough with the angle grinder, and then to final profile with the belt.

I actually prefer to make each knife a little different staying within a basic design. If I'm feeling adventurous, I sketch out a few layouts (length, run of the edge, handle size, etc) and then just go to grinding. To sound really, really cliche, I let the steel tell me what it wants to become.

Of course, I know that's not really practical for a full time maker with production designs he's marketing to the public, but as I do this for a hobby, I really enjoy the freedom involved.

--nathan