Thank you Fred, I really appreciate that.
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Taking the dive into knife making
- Thread starter Mob
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2003
- Messages
- 1,017
You got a great grinder setup front the get go. That will save you money and frustration in the long run.
Seems like is out of stock on all his grinders. I couldn't find the rotary platen on the site but found the belt and found the wheel. Weird.
Blade 5 looks like it will be a funky chicken with lots of attitude. Keep us posted on how the bench height works out with the grinder mounted up.
Seems like is out of stock on all his grinders. I couldn't find the rotary platen on the site but found the belt and found the wheel. Weird.
Blade 5 looks like it will be a funky chicken with lots of attitude. Keep us posted on how the bench height works out with the grinder mounted up.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2003
- Messages
- 1,017
Yep, I just contacted Rob because I couldn't find the horizontal grinder on their site. He said they're out of grinders due to heavy backlog, but they update the website daily and should have more KMG's available in about 3 weeks. Horizontals should be available shortly after that.
Thanks guys! It's been slow going for me due to the back issues. Hoping to get a few bevels in this week, but it's not looking good. Gotta see a Dr soon. It's a shame too, I've had the grinder for about 2 months now, and only been able to use it 3 times for really short sessions.
I've been neglecting to update this thread, so here we go.
Got a little more done today. I had no idea it would take so damn long to drill holes in a handle. So that left me with only 3 done so far. The rest of the blanks are still being dialed in, I'm going back and forth between short (height) handles and medium height ones. The big choppers are on the large side, so I will bring them down.
My attempt at a Woodlore clone based off of Cody's (Adventure Sworn) version of it. This is not my own design, however I did draw things based off of photos. Something nice, was being able to size the handles exactly to my own hands.
Got a little more done today. I had no idea it would take so damn long to drill holes in a handle. So that left me with only 3 done so far. The rest of the blanks are still being dialed in, I'm going back and forth between short (height) handles and medium height ones. The big choppers are on the large side, so I will bring them down.
My attempt at a Woodlore clone based off of Cody's (Adventure Sworn) version of it. This is not my own design, however I did draw things based off of photos. Something nice, was being able to size the handles exactly to my own hands.
I refined the handles on the choppers a little more, laid out the handle holes. One chopper will have a single guard made from 416ss plate and pins, and the smaller knife with a flat butt will get a threaded pommel from 416ss as well. The last two will be a first for me.
Another boring update:
Holes drilled, choppers got some steel in the handles removed.
Also cut more blanks for a stick tang carving knife.
Wasn't sure how these two designs I came up with would turn out, but boy I'm stoked on them now that they are starting to come to life.
Another boring update:
Holes drilled, choppers got some steel in the handles removed.
Also cut more blanks for a stick tang carving knife.
Wasn't sure how these two designs I came up with would turn out, but boy I'm stoked on them now that they are starting to come to life.
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2014
- Messages
- 644
Good thread. Keep us posted on your progress.
Jay
Jay
Small update for today. I picked up my blades from Tru Grit today- 2 days for HT is awesome- especially when they are within driving distance. Can't say enough good things about these folks. I've been there twice- once to drop off and another to pick up. Both times everyone was very friendly and let me sit and chat for 2-3 hours. Talking about other hobbies, old injuries, etc. Real stand up people! I've spent considerable amounts of times conversing via phone as well.
Here we have the blades. The ones with a nice clean bluish hue were HT with foil. A2 steel- I like the results a lot. This will save a lot of time on cleanup and worth the extra $2 per blade.
Also picked up some more belts.
I'd heard a lot about the Blaze Belts and seen them used very often by makers I follow. So I picked up one 60 grit Blaze Plus, One 36 grit Blaze Plus, One 40 grit Cubitron II, One 60 grit Cubitron II, Three 36 grit VSM, and one 60 grit VSM. The Cubitrons have been mentioned a few times as well, makers seem to like them.
Here we have the blades. The ones with a nice clean bluish hue were HT with foil. A2 steel- I like the results a lot. This will save a lot of time on cleanup and worth the extra $2 per blade.
Also picked up some more belts.
I'd heard a lot about the Blaze Belts and seen them used very often by makers I follow. So I picked up one 60 grit Blaze Plus, One 36 grit Blaze Plus, One 40 grit Cubitron II, One 60 grit Cubitron II, Three 36 grit VSM, and one 60 grit VSM. The Cubitrons have been mentioned a few times as well, makers seem to like them.
Got some more work done today, still down to the wire. I have work in four hours, then hitting the grinder again right when I get home.
Drilled out holes for Loveless bolts and pins.
Handle material.
Toxic green liner with green canvas micarta, white and maroon liners with Black linen micarta, red linder with Ivory paper micarta
Drilling out handles a little the give epoxy a bit more of a lock in.
Sawing scale closer to actual size, to save on grinding/sanding time.
Final edge: I noticed the A2 was much easier to grind, quite noticeable in fact. Although the hardness is the same on both the A2 and O1. I wonder why it's such a noticeable difference.
Roughing up Loveless nuts and 3/8'' tube
Setting up for gluing
Clamped and glued
Hoping to finish these knives on Monday. I have been pleased with everything except the plunge lines. I struggled A LOT with plunges on all 15+ blanks, none of them look half decent. More like a baboon did it while being blind folded and drunk. I know good plunges will come with time- but aside from that, these are looking good so far. Especially for my very first knives.
Another issue is with the steel becoming magnetic, so a demagnetizer is in order when I return from my trip.
Drilled out holes for Loveless bolts and pins.
Handle material.
Toxic green liner with green canvas micarta, white and maroon liners with Black linen micarta, red linder with Ivory paper micarta
Drilling out handles a little the give epoxy a bit more of a lock in.
Sawing scale closer to actual size, to save on grinding/sanding time.
Final edge: I noticed the A2 was much easier to grind, quite noticeable in fact. Although the hardness is the same on both the A2 and O1. I wonder why it's such a noticeable difference.
Roughing up Loveless nuts and 3/8'' tube
Setting up for gluing
Clamped and glued
Hoping to finish these knives on Monday. I have been pleased with everything except the plunge lines. I struggled A LOT with plunges on all 15+ blanks, none of them look half decent. More like a baboon did it while being blind folded and drunk. I know good plunges will come with time- but aside from that, these are looking good so far. Especially for my very first knives.
Another issue is with the steel becoming magnetic, so a demagnetizer is in order when I return from my trip.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2003
- Messages
- 1,017
I agree, I want to make the best knife I possibly can.
Thank you. It's been slow going, aside from the wonky plunge issue, I've been happy with the results so far.
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2009
- Messages
- 7,310
Looking good.
As for your plunge cuts...over hang your belt about 1/8" on the side of the platen. Do not start at the where you want the plunge....start 1/4" ahead of it and then back up into it....Be sure to pre- bend the edge of the belt over the platen.
If you are using a work rest...Leave a flat area on the spine long enough for the blade to ride on. That way it is in the same position on both sides of the plunge. Once you get the plunges set...you can then shape that flat area any way you want. But that long flat area really aids in stetting a nice plunge when using a work rest.
As for your plunge cuts...over hang your belt about 1/8" on the side of the platen. Do not start at the where you want the plunge....start 1/4" ahead of it and then back up into it....Be sure to pre- bend the edge of the belt over the platen.
If you are using a work rest...Leave a flat area on the spine long enough for the blade to ride on. That way it is in the same position on both sides of the plunge. Once you get the plunges set...you can then shape that flat area any way you want. But that long flat area really aids in stetting a nice plunge when using a work rest.
Thanks.
I'll give that a shot, I was just thinking my belts could be a little too stiff as well. It occurred to me a short while ago, that I've got some JFlex belts.
I've been using a jig on these, getting a smooth transition from the plunge start into the actual edge has been the problem. I can get my plunges to start in the same spot on both side, but one or both sometimes end up looking squared. My further attempts to smooth them out, leaves me with wonky transitions. Seems like more practice is my only answer to this. Also paying more attention.
Blades are pretty much done. I left the handle rough shaped, wanted to use them first to make sure it's what I want before final finishing.
Glue dried up.
Cutting excess on the bandsaw to minimize generated heat from grinding
It's crazy just how thin this saw can cut!
Sanded flat on the flat platen
Rough sanded
Top view
Bottom
Pommel plate was attached via 10-24 stainless thread and G-Flex epoxy. Pommel itself is 416 stainless
Top View
Bottom
Black linen micarta, maroon micarta, white fiber liner
Paper ivory micarta, red fiber liner
Added my logo
Glue dried up.
Cutting excess on the bandsaw to minimize generated heat from grinding
It's crazy just how thin this saw can cut!
Sanded flat on the flat platen
Rough sanded
Top view
Bottom
Pommel plate was attached via 10-24 stainless thread and G-Flex epoxy. Pommel itself is 416 stainless
Top View
Bottom
Black linen micarta, maroon micarta, white fiber liner
Paper ivory micarta, red fiber liner
Added my logo
