what's your angle ?

Fred.Rowe

Fred.Rowe

Joined
May 2, 2004
Messages
6,848
I don't believe I have ever seen or heard at what angle you should be grinding your blades. The angle between the platen and the piece of steel you are grinding. Is there some rule of thumb. I did not have an answer. So, in my usual ass backwards fashion, I set out to find an answer. I made up this small bubble with a magnet attached to it. The idea was to set the bubble/mag on the ricasso while I was grinding. Through trial and error, I finally came up with one where the bubble would float when I held the blade at what I considered a good grinding angle. Using a compass I measured the angle between the platen and the steel being ground. I found that 11degrees angle off the platen was about right for a narrow blade, say 5/8", and around 8 degrees for a big blade, 11/2". I took this information and made up 4 bubble/mag jigs. These little 50cent jigs allow me to grind at the same angle every time I place the blade against the grinding belt. I put a piece of double sided tape on both sides of the ricasso,set the approiate bubble/mag jig on the tape, float the bubble and grind. When you move to the opposite side to grind you will have the exact same angle. These jigs are great when you are trying to get all four bevels of a dagger even. Materials used; 3/4" ply, bubble from old level, drug store magnet and epoxy. Proceedure; measure angle "A" subtract 8to 11degrees, cut angle on top of wood block and epoxy. Fred :D
 

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TikTock said:
i must be slow today.....how does that attach to the blade?
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Morning, The jig attaches to the blade via the magnet on the bottom. I put the double sided tape on the ricasso to keep the jig from sliding out of position. The magnet is what holds it there. The vibration from the grinder can cause this. You can also place the bubble on your grinding jig that is used to keep your plunge cuts straight. I will post another photo with the bubble /mag jig sitting on a blade so you can see the positioning. Nothing like pictures to make a point.
 
for me it depends on the width of the blade. I start at the edge and walk the bevel up the spine. I have no idea on what the angle is but I would think that it would change with the blade shape. Interested in seeing what others say though :thumbup:
 
Thats whats great about knife making. so many ways to get the same results. if it works for you great. question? how would you hold stellite, titianium, and other nonmagnitic steels on your jig? :D :cool:
 
as long as your edge is centered and your bevels are lined up, your angle will be the same everytime. :)
 
blgoode said:
for me it depends on the width of the blade. I start at the edge and walk the bevel up the spine. I have no idea on what the angle is but I would think that it would change with the blade shape. Interested in seeing what others say though :thumbup:
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Exactly what I would say.
If you're trying to make the same pattern several times, it might make sense, but I just do what looks good/with good functionality.
The angle will change depending how wide/thick your blade is, and how high you carry the bevel.
~Brian
 
Kim Breed said:
Thats whats great about knife making. so many ways to get the same results. if it works for you great. question? how would you hold stellite, titianium, and other nonmagnitic steels on your jig? :D :cool:
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Evening Kim, I don't grind many non magnetic materials but when I do I use a clamp style jig that is made of 0-1 that clamps over the nonmagnetic material. I can then set the bubble jig on that. I agree about the so many ways coment. I like making the knives but I also enjoy expermenting with the process and seeing if there are ways to improve my tecnique. Fred :cool:
 
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