sick of grinding? hammer more...

D

dirc

Joined
Jan 31, 2018
Messages
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I realize the reality of knifemaking has a necessary evil; grinding.
I don't like it, I'd rather just hammer away.

That's just me? Or does anyone else share this view?

Post pics of knives, if you've ever made any without using any belts/grinders/masks/wheels...
 
I’m with you. This got covered recently in another thread. I much prefer forging. I just went thru a batch of 6 stock removal knives and it’s just too much grinding for me.
 
I didn't like grinding until I took classes with mastersmiths. Once they got my grinding to where I wasn't scared of screwing things up, I didn't mind the grind so much. But nothing in my shop was as sweet as firing up the coal and smelling that green smoke. You got to grind, but as you improve you can forge your knives closer to finish and spend less time at the grinder. Assuming you're not a master already.

I'm probably going to butcher his last name but Wolfgang Loerchner makes amazing art knives but only users files. No power tools.
 
I like to forge, but the reality is, I can profile a dozen blades in the time I can forge one. And time is a serious consideration. With the quality steel we have access to, there is no practical reason to forge outside of integrals and pattern welding.

So while I prefer forging, I stock remove most of my knives
 
A few years ago there was a member here Tai Go. He would forge to finish and made beautiful knives.
He sold a DVD on the subject
 
i think speed indeed is a deciding factor if you sell your knives. i have really skinny arms :) it takes me a long time to forge but stock removal is quick.
 
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