When do you sand the Ricasso?

[DaQo'tah Forge]

Hi this is DaQo'tah

okay,I know Im not going to ask this question right, and I know you may never understand the type of problem Im haveing...I have never had a belt grinding lesson, Im just learning as I go,,,but I have run into a big problem with trying to sand flat the ricasso area.

I just dont understand the order of when to do the sanding.

here is my problem.
'
Im working on my blade on my belt grinder,

Now at first when the blade is fresh out of the coal forge, I work the flat sides of the blade to make them nice,flat, and even. then I put a taper from infront of the guard all the way to the tip of the knife.( I just use a 36 grit belt)

then when that looks close, I start to grind the bevels.
But along the way i have to also grind on the Ricasso,,,but every time I do that, I mess up the nice bevel...

My questions is...Do I first just grind the ricasso going from 36 grit, all the way up to my last grit of 600?

or do I grind the ricasso at the same time as the rest of the blade, but do it a different way?

 

[Bruce Bump]

Daqotah, After your blade comes from the forge true up the ricasso area so it is flat and even. It should be the first thing you grind. Be sure to get it paralell and even. Use calipers. It is important because the entire blade straighness is based off the ricasso. Go ahead and sand it to fine grit. Next comes the distal blade taper, profile and finally the bevels. I hope this helps.

 

[cat_x29]

When establishing a blade, I always grind the flat parts first. I start with the sides then the spine. At this point the procedure differs depending on the size of the blade. For smaller blades, I would grind the Ricasso first. When I work on blades over 12" I tend to grind from the point to the Ricasso.
Hint of advise Look into a hand held 4 1/2" grinder.
It will save you a ton of time for initial grinding.