This may be a bad question, but ....

B

BillyJoeBobJim

Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
600
How do you do your waves?

I would like to try some things for my own personal use.

I have no interest in doing anything for money (unless this is extremely easy, takes very little time, and has almost no cost...yeah right), and I understand if you don't want to share details because others may try to take business away from you.

I would just like to know what types of tools you use. Are you using machine shop type power tools or hand tools?

All I have is a a few power tools and a Dremel. Can a cut-off wheel on a Dremel cut through VG-10, H-1, CPM-S30V, or 8CR13MoV ??? I could probably afford to buy a file or two for some recreational modifications and finishing.
 
I don't mind sharing how I do it. Its not rocket science. I've done it several ways experimenting to see what I felt most comfortable with and currently do it the way I feel is less likely to heat up the blade or get away from me to cause harm or scratches to the blades I Wave. Dremmels are particularly troublesome for this as is any handpiece with a rotary drive where the cutting wheel spins. What happens is the wheel can get away from you and bascially can walk itself into either the edge if you are left handed, scratching up the surface of the blade in the process or on the reverse of the folder side you are looking down on if right handed. Either way the marks are very very hard to rid the knife of without leaving evidence that its not factory.

First off I do not want to see anyone ripping off my friend Ernie Emerson by doing a bunch of these for folks and charging them for it. I'd have to say something negative if I saw that happening. I have Ernie's written permission to do what I do and to my knowledge I am the only man on the planet he has granted this to. Perhaps I am the only one to ask I don't know. I waited until I had 30 requests stacked up to do them before I contacted him. I kept telling folks no I couldn't do it but finally after that many it became obvious there were some that just wanted it and were willing to pay someone a small fee to knock it out for them. Some other folks actually took offense (still take offense actually) that I even asked Ernie for permission like I was violating some unwritten law there or something. These are the very same ones that of course would condemn one for doing them in the first place and then they laid into me for even asking. Go figure. Some of those posts are easily found in the Emerson forum here from those that protested.

However, if you want to do your own Wave on your own knife there is no need to waste Ernie's time or worry about needing permission. I sought legal advice before proceeding and this is straight from the guy I paid to tell me that. I trust he knew his stuff.

I recommend a simple Harbor Freight 1 x 30 bench grinder and some 80 grit ceramic belts. I get my belts for that unit from A & H Abrasives. Using a fresh belt and a dip pale full of ice water you can do most of the entire wave with two gloved hands, and manage to keep the blade from even getting above luke warm in temp. if you take your time and let the belt do the work. Once you have the rough shape it simply requires a round stone like used to sharpen a chain saw easily found in the dremmel section of any Wal-Mart. Using this as the final step will round out the inner part the belt has trouble doing; as you will end up with more of a V cut with the belt. Once its rounded out you can use that same stone to even the lines made by the belt so they run length wise uniformly to look more like factory.

The main thing is to take your time, let the belt do the work never pushing the blade that much and making double sure to dip a lot and keep it cool.

I get a Wave request now and then. Its never been what I'd call a big market and only some knives are even going to work for it. So, it matters very little to me if someone else had permission. No one is going to be real busy doing these. I doubt I've averaged more than 1 a month for some time now if that many.

STR
 
By the way, the little 1 x 30 sander I have is here. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=231&pricetype=

Now I'm not trying to say my opinion counts for much but this little machine has to be one of the best values in sanders out there. Its a wonderful unit. I've actually made folders start to finish using this machine and ceramic belts just because I wanted to show that its possible. It tracks quite well for a cheap sander, and although the motor is a bit weak it is quite nice for the money. Get ya one. The belts are cheap and I sure use the tar out of mine.

STR
 
STR said:
First off I do not want to see anyone ripping off my friend Ernie Emerson by doing a bunch of these for folks and charging them for it. I'd have to say something negative if I saw that happening. I have Ernie's written permission to do what I do and to my knowledge I am the only man on the planet he has granted this to. Perhaps I am the only one to ask I don't know. I waited until I had 30 requests stacked up to do them before I contacted him. I kept telling folks no I couldn't do it but finally after that many it became obvious there were some that just wanted it and were willing to pay someone a small fee to knock it out for them. Some other folks actually took offense (still take offense actually) that I even asked Ernie for permission like I was violating some unwritten law there or something. These are the very same ones that of course would condemn one for doing them in the first place and then they laid into me for even asking. Go figure. Some of those posts are easily found in the Emerson forum here from those that protested.
STR
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for the information.

I have no intention of doing anything like this for money, but at this point in my life I have begun to try to learn how to do more things on my own, such as designing and building swingsets, furniture, cabinets, gunsmithing, etc. That's why I asked someone like you with experience and permission for the instruction.

In building things, I would love to do something for my friends such as an incredible set of cabinets or built in desk, etc., but I would hate for them to see it in my house and then pay someone else a fortune for an exact copy which might include some feature considered "special" to me. The Wave feature might be copyrighted, trademarked, or patented, which has legal and financial ramifications on top of just "ripping off" a design or feature. That's why I asked and indicated that I would understand if you don't want to share the details.

Again, thanks for the information on how, why, and what tools. I'll try it on a few less expensive knives to see if I can do it.

Regards.
 
You use the dremmel for the round stone. A variable speed one if you have it. Those are easier to control. A nice final uniform finish can be achieved using a diamond cylinder also in the dremmel run all up and down the spine fo the blade, and the Wave cut out very gently until it all matches.

STR
 
Steve, that's a nice description of how it's done. I must add that a master of any art will make it look easy. And you are a master.

I've done my own waves with a Dremel. Some came out okay, some look like they got whomped by the ugly stick. I've got a Spyderco Manix that I waved some time ago, and it's functional, but it's one of the latter ones I mentioned above. Maybe I'll send it your way for some cosmetic surgery.

Thanks again for the tips.
 
I'd be more than happy to look it over for you to see if I could do anything more on it.

STR
 
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