Traction grooves - cuz I ain't calling it jimping

P. McKinley

P. McKinley

Joined
Jan 27, 2008
Messages
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I have a customer who wants traction grooves cut into the thumb ramp of the knife below. I've never done this before and I've been practicing on a crappy old blade I keep around for just this thing. I'm not having a whole lot of success! My drill press is a $149.00 HD Special with a very unstable table, and its fitted with a dremmell cut-off wheel.

Free hand isn't a great option as I don't have a lot of dexterity or control with my left hand with which to help steady a hand-held dremmell. Besides maybe a checkering file, what other options are there for this task...... other than not doing it?

Thank you,

-Peter

My set up:


The knife in question:
 
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Peter, this one is a great looking knife too. I have a little set up I made to split liners with my dremel with a flex shaft that I use for the groves as well. Wish I could send you pictures, but I don't know how. You don't need that though. If the steel is hardened get out a 3 square or better yet, a knife shaped file to do the grooves. Otherwise, regular files will work for non hardened steel. Frank
 
Thanks guys.

Frank - The blade is hardened. I have a full set of small diamond files, so I may try both "knife shaped" and round(Stan's thought). What little decorative file work I've done I've usually used those files with good results. So, you may have the answer. Thanks! BTW I found a source of Sia sandpaper. I'll give it a try. Thanks yet again.

Arakiel - I didn't show it in this photo, but I actually do stabilize the table with a jury-rigged upside down bar clamp and some shims. It works just fine for drilling pin holes and such, but I need to do 10-12 perfectly spaced groves and the thought of adjusting, shimming, cutting, - adjusting shimming, cutting,... etc, is a daunting.
 
Come on guys, they are "grooves." Groves are where you grow oranges.
You can stipple the area with an electric engraving pencil very easily. Otherwise, use the diamond files.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Come on guys, they are "grooves." Groves are where you grow oranges.
You can stipple the area with an electric engraving pencil very easily. Otherwise, use the diamond files.
Click to expand...

:D:D....Oops! I claim senior moment. :p

Bill - Stippling is a wonderful idea. I'll have to think how it would be worked into the overall design.
Thanks.

Peter
 
since the blade is hardened already, you can always use the side of a vice as a guide: clamp the blade and dremel the groove... move the blade the desired distance and dremel the next groove, then repeat until your "traction grooves" are where you want em. it might scuff up the side of the vice a bit but it'll work. it was how i started lining up my "traction grooves" when i first started doing it.
 
Peter. Like Bill said. I use stippling at times. It could look great and work well ! You can do that will a rotary tool and a carbide small ball say 3/32" size. You just tap, tap, tap. Frank
 
With a $20 engraving pencil you just turn it all the way up, and buzz the stippling on. These tools are easily overlooked, but are very versatile for things other than trying to engrave your name on something. They are great for background stippling on hand engraving.
 
I have thought about using a thread file(the 4 sided kind) but have not got around to picking one up yet. They are pretty inexpensive and I think it would work.
 
flatblackcapo said:
I have thought about using a thread file(the 4 sided kind) but have not got around to picking one up yet. They are pretty inexpensive and I think it would work.
Click to expand...
Those are not designed for actual cutting, just clean-up of deformed or oxidized threads, I have used one to take the burr off off of fresh cut threads. Mainly you use these on a lathe.
 
I use an 1/8 inch chainsaw file and then use a 3 sided trinagular file to cut triangle in between on some knives. Alternate from side to side and use the triangle to corner the half round cut on the other side.
 
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