Started making my own knives

D

Dave Hamilton

Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Messages
107
Hey Guys, just signed up now that I'm grinding. Have been planning up to recently, re-educating myself, usual research. Grabbed a Milwaukee Portable bandsaw and a Swag table, Dayton 2x42 and files and off we go! I always enjoy spending my free time making and knives have been on the agenda for a while.

So, I ROUGHLY modified the dayton table with some 3/4" ply, bolted in place to the original cast aluminum work rest. I know, not the best but wanted to get to work tonight. It's got a little give as the table itself sucks. Will upgrade to a proper steel workrest down the road shortly, plus beef up the platen and grab the glass liner.

So, I want to post pics of the two knives I'm currently working on. I have my photos on Google Photos. I can't upload them for some odd reason. When I click the photo button above as I type, in Google I use the link they provide, paste it into the Photo text box and it comes up broken. First order, can somebody tell me here how to upload photos? I want to show my first bevels using a jig!

Thanks guys, will continue once I can upload.
 
Found the photo posting sticky...

Anyways, back to the Dayton...

dayton on 2.3.20 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

No shaming on the plywood. Had to be inventive on the fly to do SOME grinding.

Here is my first grind for the bevels! you can see it's a little wonky. i discovered after applying force towards the belt that less is more, let the blade in the jig glide, seemed to give me better results. This Kabar style had a much more deeper wave toward the plunge line. After using less force, it did get straighter. Let the tool do the work! Any advice on using jigs and getting straight lines?

mykabar1 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

mykabar2 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

My second is a "copy" of a blade I dearly want, but wont shell out $2200 for it. So, I'll just make it! It's in the jig I got from Nick here in NJ, sells on Etsy. I did not finish the bevel yet as I realized my angle may be too shallow. I went past the edge line I scribed in, but left too much space on the edge, the final sharpening would be a bear.

mywhitewolf1 by Dave Hamilton, on Flickr

I realized with the stock crap platen, i cannot get good ricasso lines, so either wait to build up the new platen or do it by hand. Either way, damn it was fun!!! I made a fighter 15 years ago in a metalsmith class. Last and only one, these being my second ever.
 
Welcome to the forum. It's nice to see your enthusiasm. To grind well you need to practice. Get some cheap mild steel and practice your grind lines.
For your first blades I think you are grinding very well. You just need practice and patience. Personally I would not recommend any jigs. You will be better off in the long run if you learn to grind with out them.
If you live close to another knifemaker, they might be willing to give you some pointers. If you lived close to me I would be glad to have you over to my shop and show you how I grind. I live in Carlsbad NM.
 
It always gets some people's backs up when I recommend putting off using jigs until you can freehand grind, but......I agree with Tom. Put off using jigs until you can freehand grind. If you want to drop by my "shop" I will show you some things to get you started. I'm in Chestnut Ridge, NY. PM me through social media if interested.
 
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I’m a new knife maker myself and still working on my grind lines. If it’s any consolation, your grind lines are far better than mine were when I first started.
 
i4Marc said:
It always gets some people's backs up when I recommend putting off using jigs until you can freehand grind, but......I agree with Tom. Put off using jigs until you can freehand grind. If you want to drop by my "shop" I will show you some things to get you started. I'm in Chestnut Ridge, NY. PM me through social media if interested.
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I definitely had an experience with the jig for sure and di try freehand but got a cleaner result to start. Researched freehand and discovered some technique I'm definitely going to try. I'll see how far Chestnut Ridge is, I appreciate the offer!
 
Than
Tom Lewis said:
Welcome to the forum. It's nice to see your enthusiasm. To grind well you need to practice. Get some cheap mild steel and practice your grind lines.
For your first blades I think you are grinding very well. You just need practice and patience. Personally I would not recommend any jigs. You will be better off in the long run if you learn to grind with out them.
If you live close to another knifemaker, they might be willing to give you some pointers. If you lived close to me I would be glad to have you over to my shop and show you how I grind. I live in Carlsbad NM.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the welcome Tom. I'm going to be working on my freehand moving forward. Appreciate the offer too!
 
i4Marc said:
It always gets some people's backs up when I recommend putting off using jigs until you can freehand grind, but......I agree with Tom. Put off using jigs until you can freehand grind. If you want to drop by my "shop" I will show you some things to get you started. I'm in Chestnut Ridge, NY. PM me through social media if interested.
Click to expand...
Marc is very generous with his time. He helped me when I was just starting out. He makes beautiful knives. You won't regret spending some time with him.
 
I've read here before that free hand grinding good bevels is on the other side of hard. I've just moved from a 1-30 Harbor Freight using a jig to a 3HP 2x72 with VFD with no jig. I'm determined to get to the other side of hard, practicing on mild steel currently so I don't screw up too much good blade steel. I also have added a 10" wheel and a 4" wheel for doing hollow grinds, another "hard" to get to the other side of. I am enjoying the adventure however.
 
Hot
Willie71 said:
I wanted a Nick Wheeler Bowie, so I started making knives. I spent well over $30k now. Still no Wheeler level bowie.
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Dam $30k! What the hell are you expending also as the "hobby? Lol I'm keeping it low for now, more learning curve and next step tools as I progress.
 
So in regard to mild steel to practice on, I've read to not use Depot steel due to harmful chemicals. What should I look for in mild steel to practice? Hunting down lawnmower blades currently.
 
Dave Hamilton said:
Hot

Dam $30k! What the hell are you expending also as the "hobby? Lol I'm keeping it low for now, more learning curve and next step tools as I progress.
Click to expand...

It adds up fast. Every steel order is $250.00 or more. Kiln was $2500, grinder over a grand. $10.00+ for each grinding belt adds up fast. Forge, propane, tongs, anvil, and tons of abrasives. Nice wood blocks for handles are $50-$100 each.
 
Dave Hamilton said:
So in regard to mild steel to practice on, I've read to not use Depot steel due to harmful chemicals. What should I look for in mild steel to practice? Hunting down lawnmower blades currently.
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if chemicals are a big concern, knife making is not a hobby to pursue. We deal with all sorts of toxic particulates in every build. Get a good respirator, and get to work.
 
Willie71 said:
if chemicals are a big concern, knife making is not a hobby to pursue. We deal with all sorts of toxic particulates in every build. Get a good respirator, and get to work.
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That sounded pretty pathetic, you right. Lemme see: think I'll hack up some cheap steel from depot instead of experimenting on my 1084 or O1. Sounds more appropriate I think
 
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