Sweeping plunges

tedinatl

tedinatl

Joined
Nov 1, 2010
Messages
893
I've been trying to get a more sweeping plunge on a small utility knife I'm busy making, but it's kicking my butt. Here's where I'm at.

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I've tapered the tang as well, but still need to clean it up quite a bit. Does anyone have any tips or tricks that might make this easier?
 
You certainly have the right idea how to do it, but in order to have it more pronounced you have to be closed to front of the blade and not behind the choil where you are now starting from. So, you really are already doing it. Frank
 
What are you using to grind/file the plunge?

There are a few tutorials that go through the process, but I can't locate them. Matt Bailey and Phillip Patton come to mind when I think Sweeping plunge. I did a write up on a recent PIF I did on my blog and there is a brief section where I explain how I do them.

They are Tricky buggers and some blade shapes don't allow a very good sweeping plunge. Here is a link to my Blog PIF thred: CLICK ME

I owe all my sweeping plunges to Matt Bailey.
 
Matt is superb at the sweeping plunge, but Ryan does a beautiful job on his without a doubt. I can't remember if Matt ever did a WIP or tutorial on a sweeping plunge but he is definitely someone to learn from in the department.
Ryan, I'm going to click on that link but I didn't think that your sweeping plunge stuff was coming out on the website til later this month. Did you get it on the site?

EDIT: Ryan, just clicked the link, very cool description of how to do a sweeper. I hadn't seen that before. Makes me want to try one.
RyanW said:
What are you using to grind/file the plunge?

There are a few tutorials that go through the process, but I can't locate them. Matt Bailey and Phillip Patton come to mind when I think Sweeping plunge. I did a write up on a recent PIF I did on my blog and there is a brief section where I explain how I do them.

They are Tricky buggers and some blade shapes don't allow a very good sweeping plunge. Here is a link to my Blog PIF thred: CLICK ME

I owe all my sweeping plunges to Matt Bailey.
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Thanks for the replies, guys.

Firsf off, I use a Caftsman 2 x 42. I know, not ideal, but it's what I have. Second. I started the sweeping plunge behind the choil on purpose - it's the look I'm going for on this knife, but I'm certainly not married to it. The knife is only 6" OAL, FWIW.
 
I just read your write-up, Ryan. Makes perfect sense what you said. I've got 5 more of these little ones to make, so I'm sure to get a lot more practise in the next few days!

Thanks again for everyone's replies.
 
Salem Straub has a very nice write-up on his website about grinding sweeping plunges.

Edit: Oops, sorry for the duplicate to fluidsteels reference!
 
Thanks Salem - I'll keep posting progression (or regression) pics here as I go along.
 
Salem Straub said:
Good luck, Ted. Ryan, nice job on that knife at your blog!
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Thanks a lot Salem, I have learned a lot of things from you site referenced above!

tedinatl said:
Thanks Salem - I'll keep posting progression (or regression) pics here as I go along.
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No such thing as "Regression" I guarantee you will learn something either way. I look forward to the updates.
 
An almost fail-safe way is to buy the biggest half-round file you can find, grind the teeth off of one edge of it (to go against your file guide), set your file guide at the angle you want the plunge, and file away. Use plenty of chalk on the file and card it if it gets clogged. It'll go surprisingly fast, and with proper setup of the file guide, it's hard to mess up.
 
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