Thinning blade stock without power tools

Sean Yaw

Sean Yaw

Gold Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
417
Hi,
I am wondering if anyone has any process for flattening blade stock and making the sides parallel without a surface grinder, mill, or grinder. I am working on my fourth knife (one lockback and three slipjoints), so I do not have a whole lot of experience. I pretty much just have files, sandpaper, and a flat granite surface plate. I am interested in (1) thinning blade stock for washers and (2) flattening non-precision ground stock (i.e. small batch damascus, san mai). I have tried just using 60 grit sandpaper on the plate, but it was taking way too long to thin by 0.01. I also tried removing steel from one say of precision ground stock with files and then flattening with sandpaper on the plate. The problem there was that the sides were not very parallel, so the blade would bind at different parts of its rotation. My very functional workaround at this point is to just use precision ground stock and omit washers, but I thought there may be a process I do not know of to accomplish what I am aiming for. Thanks for any ideas.
 
If you have to use washers, why not relieve the liners with a file?
 
Bill,
I've reviewed all the threads I could find on BF over the past 13 years related to slipjoint washers vs relieving liners and I have to say, you are going easier on me than you did with everyone else that brings up this discussion point. ;)

I have not tried relieving the lines with a file. I did try with a dremel and did not like the looks of it. I probably just need more practice. Any tricks with the file, or is it just mark where you want metal gone and remove it with the file? Thank you.
 
Bill,
I assumed you were talking about relieving the liners instead of using washers, but it now occurs to me that you may be suggesting something else entirely. Do you mean removing material evenly from the pivot area and then using a washer to occupy the relieved space and provide the only contact with the blade tang?
 
If you do not have the proper tools then just buy precision ground stock. A million knives have been made for hundreds of years with out washers or milled liners.
 
I agree with Adam. Start simple. Washers and relieved liners as well as thinning stock down are best left for later on. Pick a size stock and order it precision ground from most knife suppliers or industrial suppliers like MSC.
 
I concur that washers are not needed.
What happens when the washers wear out?
But yes, just carefully file the liners down.
 
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