straight grind lines

C

claude

Joined
Sep 29, 2000
Messages
40
Just wondering what little tricks that other makers have for making their grind lines straight and proportional on all the knives they make. I seen people use little jigs which hold the blade, I know of guys who use variable speed drives to slow disc plates down to get an even grind line. Just wondering what can help to make it easier to do.
I have a heck of a time to get them straight and even.
thanks Claude
 
Claude,
Practice, practice, practice. The more you grind, the better you get.
Find some scrap steel and just grind.
 
Its just the same as the way to Carnegie Hall..............


practice, practice, practice!

In fact, there is no substitute for...........practice!!!! :p


HEY! How did you do that???


Dont buy no kit knives either!!!!! :rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes:
 
Time at the grinder and lots of it. See I didnt say the "P" word.

Variable speed is nice. I wish I would have had it when I started but like most of us we started out with a budget. I think if you are serious though you should get the best equipment even if it is a sacrifice. Dont try making a jig for the bevels. They dont always work anyway and you will have to make the bevels yourself sooner or later. A good disc grinder might be nice but I have always used a belt grinder (Burr-King 960)
 
I don't know about the disc grinder Lar but, all the above is true. I grind by hand, no jigs and on a single speed machine. It just takes time to get the swing of it. Took me awhile.:D
 
Practice is the key for sure. The more you grind the better it will get. I use a mirror block made for me by Darrel a few years back when I was at his shop to learn about autos and to have some machines dialed in. It isnt a cure all but it helps me get the lines straight and then I finish free hand at the finer grits.

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Thanks Guys
I been out there trying different ways and things have improved a little but there is still a long way to go. I grind beter on one side then the other so I grind my bad hand first and try to match my good hand after, i feel a little like the cat and mouse cause i end up chasing both lines for a while. I have a heck of a time to get the ricasso even and the curved lines on the tip to match up and be symetrical. I guess like it has been said it is a case of practice makes perfect (or at least a whole lot better). Thanks again
 
Disc grinder I don't know how to use for that. I have learned, right or wrong, that on the belt grinder I no longer allow the tip portion of the blade to get too close to the edge of the belt. Before, in allowing that, I lost tip length and got facets at that area. I grind from plunge to close to tip in a pulling or sliding motion to close to tip. The tip I grind almost stationary on the belt at a slower speed with my thumb pressing aginst the tip area so as to provide equal pressure and to feel steel heat for the water quench. All this has to be alternated to keep from having low spots and as stated it takes practice and a developed feel. And, believe me true - you will feel that tip heat up for SURE. There will be little doubt as to when to dip it into the water; and your thumb.

Its all just a bunch of fun.

And seriously, I used to loose tip length when finishing after HT by allowing the tip to get too close to the belt edge. If it slipped off the belt edge it lost every time.

RL
 
it's like anything you do in life
you need to teach those little muscles how to work together
and get that mind to hand thing going on it takes time at it.:)
yup the p word over and over and over
doing it by hand will teach you to handle any type of grind later
I don't mind anyone using jigs but there is no replacement for
knowing how and the feel by hand. :)
 
I'm not going to say the P word either but it's a fact. After you get a few under your belt you will find that you can do it with your eyes closed. If you get your lines even from the start, it's just a matter of keeping the flat...well flat on the grinder. You can feel it.

You'll know what I'm talking about when it happens:rolleyes: :footinmou
 
Hey there Claude! I seem to do most of my grinding in the mornings. I found that if I have my morning cup of coffee, i'd get all jittery and my lines would turn to crap. Another thing I do before I start grinding is grab a piece that i've screwed up and grind on that for a while to warm up. This by far is the best way i've found to get in the groove so to speak. Hope this helps!

Hugh
 
They're supposed to be straight?;)

I won't use the "p" word either, but you need lots of experience grinding different stuff. I have ground aluminum, wood, plastic, steel, and G-10 to get experience.

I don't use jigs because I very seldom grind the same patterns and I like grinding freehand.
 
P-word? My wife has one of those! *wink*

Oh yes, and grinding takes a lot of pr...

*Somebody hits Jeff over the head with a blunt object*
 
It will come eventually - it seems like every knife I do, it seems to get a little easier, a little less time "repairing."

One thing I've learned though -- there are days when it just isn't going to happen. When you get that feeling, drop everything and get out of the shop and spend time with your wife/girlfriend. Bowies become neck knives on days like those. :D
 
Never give a grinder to a man who can't swivel his hips.
Yea I am a smartass BUT:
Try this, Learn to keep your elbows locked at your sides.
Move the body and try to keep blade movement down to 2-3" at each pass. Swivel your hips this keeps your lines from being wiggly.
Relax
Grind look dip
Grind look dip
I have been grinding for over 5yrs and still use this method, it works.
By the way Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice.
You get the picture:D Sorry couldn't resist:>
 
Hey Burchie you got the right idea, bro. Some days its better to just go fishing or something, cuz you aint gonna make that blade no matter what. Usually when that I get into that rut, I shift gears and go split wood, or do some other long-neglected chore.

Blink has some sweet advice there also about use your body and RELAX. When I was in welding school, the instructors all unanimously advised that better welds depended on your posture, and safety equipment, etc. Makes sense. I feel so much better after a long grinding session if I take the time to wear my gear.
 
Practice?

They're lying.

There is a trick to it. I just know it. But they (the ones with the straight grind lines) won't tell. It's a secret society.

I've been trying different secret handshakes at the knife shows. Mostly I get strange looks, occasionally a punch in the mouth. Sooner or later I'll get the right one. They'll think I'm one of the insiders. And I'll get an opportunity to actually witness the secret technique.

In the meantime, I've offended most of the knife makers in America.

Steve
 
Steve, that was one of the funniest replies I've read in awhile...I'm still giggling. Your a nut!:D
 
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