when and how should I fix a bent blank?

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
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Hey all, Been a little while since I have had some time to work on my first knife, but got some time this weekend.

I went into the garage and found that the blade blank has a very slight "S" bend over the entire knife. I haven't started the bevels yet, but am curious as to when I should try to straighten it? I have read several posts outlining various methods to straighten, but should I just keep going and worry about it right before HT? Should I try to fix it now and worry about it possibly bending again during filing? Should I leave it and ask the person doing the HT if they can take care of it while it is hot?

I would love to get back to work on this knife but just could use a little guidance.


-Xander
 
I'd straighten it now, warm, and you may have to straighten it again after cutting in the bevels, and maybe again after HT...

Use the 3 point set up in a vice, get it as warm as you can...
 
ok, you think 200-300F in the oven would suffice? Or should I try with a canister torch? I would like to use the oven due to control and less chance of burning myself. I was thinking of trying the 3-pins-in-a-vice method but I may also use my brake rotor truing forks for the fine tune. Any other bike mechanics here ever try this?


-Xander
 
Thanx- Ill give it a shot.

Is bent bar stock fairly common during the knife making process? Of all the how-to's I have read, none of them even mentioned anything about warping/bending or how to address it. Thanx for all the help.


-Xander
 
If the stock is annealed you won't need heat. If it's SS you could plate quench before grinding to straighten.
 
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