What's too wavy?

foxx

foxx

Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
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Let's say you get a custom chopper, 12" long. Everything looks great, except there's a slight wave in the blade, not the spine. The spine is straight, but in the middle, there is a definate wave. Laying a straight edge on it, I'm talking about 2-3mm.
Is this "normal" for a forged piece. Mainly, is it going to cause any problem now or down the road?
 
a wave as in a recurve or a wave as in the edge is warped?
im no expert but I have some larger customs and I would not be ok if the edge was warped especially 2-3mm
 
You mean a wave like the blade is warped - not a dip in the grind? If the former, then what Don said. The edge should be dead straight and dead centered.

Roger
 
My camera is MIA at the moment. Spine is straight, it's the grind that is off. Check out this photo. Notice where most of the forge scale is, there are two spots where the scale is below the rest. Those two spots are about half way down the blade.
In that location is where the blade is uneven. If you put a straight edge on it, it shows the dip.
Seems like most of you would be unhappy with this, why, will it break? It's my first custom blade, and even a $20 machete comes straight. It's the 12" with forge scale.
100_0958.jpg
 
RogerP said:
You mean a wave like the blade is warped - not a dip in the grind? If the former, then what Don said. The edge should be dead straight and dead centered.

Roger
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I'm pretty sure it's in the grind.
 
I don't claim to be an expert either, however the second thing I check when examining either a stockremoval or a forged custom knife is that the spine and cutting edge are straight and centered. Third, is that the blade flats/sides (grinds) are ground and finished sanded with no waves/dips. It's a deal-breaker (for me) if the knife has shortcomings in any of these areas.

I wouldn't settle for anything other than being very satisfied with your first custom knife buying experience.
 
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Last night, I used a piece of tape to give me a straight edge across the entire length.
I was getting a gap of more like 1mm.
Thing is, this is a chopper made from 5160, I got it to be used, not abused but I've already been chopping some wood with it.
It wasn't that expensive, affordable really. I'm not one to complain about the fit and finish on this sort of tool.
My original question here is more about problems that the knife may encounter. Do you guys forsee this thing snapping on me?
No I have not talked to the maker. I am trying to get other's opinions before I bring it up to him. If you think this is a "funtional" problem, not just asthetics, then I will need to contact him.
 
Considering your anticipated use, the particular knife and that it's only a slight variation, I wouldn't let it bother me at ALL.

Use and enjoy your new chopper and welcome to custom knives as a new owner.
 
I sure wouldn't worry about the blade snapping as a consequence of that small deviation.

Roger
 
Not exactly sure what's amiss here. If the dips are in the scale area then no problem. It's just hammer marks deeper than the rest and to preserve thickness of the blade the grind only goes part way up the sides. If the actual edge warps then it's a mistake in the grinding.
 
I wouldn't worry about it, especially if it functions well. Consider it 'character'.
 
SBranson said:
Not exactly sure what's amiss here. If the dips are in the scale area then no problem. It's just hammer marks deeper than the rest and to preserve thickness of the blade the grind only goes part way up the sides. If the actual edge warps then it's a mistake in the grinding.
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I'm not worried about the scale dips from the hammer. No biggy.
I was asking cause the edge is not straight. More or less, what problems could I forsee? If any?
Like mentioned, for it's intended use, and cost, I'm not worried about it's asthetics. I like the blade, but sometimes concern myself with details that don't matter. It cuts, I can maintain it's edge, and as long as it doesn't "break" on me, I can live with it.
Being my first "custom", I was also curious about the standard of straightness for a forged blade. In my case it's more an issue of the grinding.

Thanks for everyone's input. I won't worry about it, nor bother the maker over it. Thanks again.
 
I see. I would let him know. If I had made it and the owner wasn't pleased in any way, I'd want to know. If nothing else, for something to learn from. That said, I doubt it'll make a functional difference but if it did and the knife did break or something then you could get it replaced if both of you are aware of the issue.
 
SBranson said:
I see. I would let him know. If I had made it and the owner wasn't pleased in any way, I'd want to know. If nothing else, for something to learn from. That said, I doubt it'll make a functional difference but if it did and the knife did break or something then you could get it replaced if both of you are aware of the issue.
Click to expand...

I agree with Stuart on this.I know as a maker I would like to know if you were not pleased in any way.
Stan
 
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