Threw away my first messed up attempt

Yo Mama

Yo Mama

Joined
Sep 25, 2011
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I had 3 blanks cut out, and ready for primary bevel. 2 were pretty good for freehand, and my first time trying.

The last one got it bad though, and couldn't be saved. Grind was not high enough and so uneven that it was done for.

I learned a lot, first that I'm a perfectionist, and I have to remind myself this is not something I can perfect overnight or even a few months as I've been learning and practicing.

Second, I'm sure I need more training on how to properly use a jig so I can stop relying on my eyes and hands so much. I also need to drop to 36 grit belt, as I used an 80 I think it was to high?

I was very discouraged all night thinking about it, again I don't like to fail at anything. Looking at it another way maybe this is good for me to learn some patience and how to deal with failures. Speaking of, now I have a fire inside to make 2 more to replace the one I threw out!
 
Yo Mama said:
I had 3 blanks cut out, and ready for primary bevel. 2 were pretty good for freehand, and my first time trying.
The last one got it bad though, and couldn't be saved. Grind was not high enough and so uneven that it was done for.
I learned a lot, first that I'm a perfectionist, and I have to remind myself this is not something I can perfect overnight or even a few months as I've been learning and practicing.
Second, I'm sure I need more training on how to properly use a jig so I can stop relying on my eyes and hands so much. I also need to drop to 36 grit belt, as I used an 80 I think it was to high?
I was very discouraged all night thinking about it, again I don't like to fail at anything. Looking at it another way maybe this is good for me to learn some patience and how to deal with failures. Speaking of, now I have a fire inside to make 2 more to replace the one I threw out!
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Don't get discouraged. You don't fail until you quit grinding.

I remember something from 7th grade woodshop. We got two attempts to perform a series of different cuts on one piece of stock on a wood lathe.
Almost everyone's first attempt was far better than their second.
I think this is because you start learning, and that screws up your execution. It is a necessary thing, but just ironic how that works.
 
I feel your pain Yo Mama. I've been at this crazy knife thing for 10 months and have felt the frustration of uneven grinds, gouges, high spots....I would encourage you not to give up on your eyes and hands. Jigs are fine but I don't know of a single one where you can just put the blade in and go back and forth a bunch of times and produce a finished knife. I use a simple jig to get the grind angle started but then switch to freehand grinding with a carbide file guide to protect the plunge line. Once I'm 90% there I switch to hand sanding to even out the grind lines. Watch Nick Wheelers videos. They are top notch and full of GOLD. Keep at it!
 
Yo Mama,

Failures are a natural part of the learning process. Like Brock47 says, you don't fail until you quit. I don't know what the failed blade looks like but keep in mind, there is a lot more meat on the bone than you think. You can remove more material and even up grind lines, raise the grind, re-profile and do many things that will help save a blade going poorly. Don't throw it away. Put it in a jar or drawer and take another try at it when you have a bit more experience. That could be in a year or it could be in a week when you have the eyes and the knowledge to see the solutions. Also, so many new makers want to start with jigs. I really think you are handicapping yourself. Learn how to mark out a blade blank and then grind it freehand (with a carbide-faced file guide) with or without using the grinder's work table. If you start with jigs at the beginning of your education then you will rely on them and you won't learn how to solve problems. It won't take too long to get comfortable with freehand. Then later you can use jigs if you still want to in order to speed up production. But at least you'll have the basic grinding skills to make corrections or to execute more complex grinds if you need to.
 
i4Marc said:
Yo Mama,

Failures are a natural part of the learning process. Like Brock47 says, you don't fail until you quit. I don't know what the failed blade looks like but keep in mind, there is a lot more meat on the bone than you think. You can remove more material and even up grind lines, raise the grind, re-profile and do many things that will help save a blade going poorly. Don't throw it away. Put it in a jar or drawer and take another try at it when you have a bit more experience. That could be in a year or it could be in a week when you have the eyes and the knowledge to see the solutions. Also, so many new makers want to start with jigs. I really think you are handicapping yourself. Learn how to mark out a blade blank and then grind it freehand (with a carbide-faced file guide) with or without using the grinder's work table. If you start with jigs at the beginning of your education then you will rely on them and you won't learn how to solve problems. It won't take too long to get comfortable with freehand. Then later you can use jigs if you still want to in order to speed up production. But at least you'll have the basic grinding skills to make corrections or to execute more complex grinds if you need to.
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What he said. I tended to leave everything too thick as a beginner anyway, so grinding out a few more mistakes would actually have improved some of my early knives.
 
i4Marc said:
Yo Mama,

Failures are a natural part of the learning process. Like Brock47 says, you don't fail until you quit. I don't know what the failed blade looks like but keep in mind, there is a lot more meat on the bone than you think. You can remove more material and even up grind lines, raise the grind, re-profile and do many things that will help save a blade going poorly. Don't throw it away. Put it in a jar or drawer and take another try at it when you have a bit more experience. That could be in a year or it could be in a week when you have the eyes and the knowledge to see the solutions. Also, so many new makers want to start with jigs. I really think you are handicapping yourself. Learn how to mark out a blade blank and then grind it freehand (with a carbide-faced file guide) with or without using the grinder's work table. If you start with jigs at the beginning of your education then you will rely on them and you won't learn how to solve problems. It won't take too long to get comfortable with freehand. Then later you can use jigs if you still want to in order to speed up production. But at least you'll have the basic grinding skills to make corrections or to execute more complex grinds if you need to.
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^^^I agree 100%.
Watch the Tim Hancock video in the stickies at the top of this page. Tim's method for grinding works very well and is repeatable.
Good luck!

-Eric
 
First I don't recommend doing you primary bevel grind with a 36 grit belt. 60 is more forgiving and removes metal plenty fast. Second. Like stated above jigs and gimmicks don't make you a better knife make. Learn the skills. Learn to feel the blade onto the platen and learn without seeing to know where the belt is cutting. And give up the notion of perfection for now. A more realistic approach is to make each knife better and develop a new skill on each knife you make for a while. Post a pic of your work. Ricky
 
Hey a big thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice. I actually found it out of the garbage, so I'll post pics in a bit.

I'm definitely going to check out the videos. Really I appreciate your help.
 
Y M

Remember there is almost always a paring knife hidden away in that "failed Grind". Most of this stuff for us beginners is learning how to fix mistakes and trying to slow down enough so that we don't make big mistakes. Working at a slower pace allows me to see my mistakes before they get too big.

Keep at it. You'll be really happy when you finish one and it turns out better than you expected.

Jeff
 
Iwannashoot said:
Y M

Remember there is almost always a paring knife hidden away in that "failed Grind". Most of this stuff for us beginners is learning how to fix mistakes and trying to slow down enough so that we don't make big mistakes. Working at a slower pace allows me to see my mistakes before they get too big.

Keep at it. You'll be really happy when you finish one and it turns out better than you expected.

Jeff
Click to expand...

Hey! You may be onto something... (sure you are!)
 
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