When you restore a tip, do you do it from back or edge?

[Lavan]

I've always gone for a minimal removal from the spine tip. Very SELDOM of course, but they usually EVENTUALLY lose the peenty point.
Using CARE is best, but sometimes you slip.
So.... back or edge?
Where do YOU remove to restore tip?

 

[Tanguay Custom Knives]

Most of the time from the back.
Next, A few swipes across the belt sander with a slack 220 grit belt to reprofile the edge at the tip, then a final touch up to the full edge on a 30 micron belt, then strop on leather. Hair popping sharp every time.

 

[thombrogan]

On a folder, definitely from the back. If you do it from the edge, the new point can protrude from the handle. cbwx34 had a write-up on it back in the day, but I can't find it.

 

[the possum]

Both; often at the same time. Depends on the piece. If it's more of a skinner or drop point style with an edge that sweeps upwards anyway, I'll probably do it from the edge side. If the point is more centered or below center, then I'll do more from the spine to maintain the alignment. A combination of both may be needed, up to/including reshaping the entire knife depending how bad it is.

 

[Bufford]

First I look the knife over and make a picture in my mind of what would look best on the damaged knife.

Usually I have to take some material off both the edge side and from the spine to make the lines flow together to restore the knife to its original state. First I take down the edge side, and then bring the spine side together to reform the point.

After that I look at the thickness, usually some material at the spine must be ground down or the point will be too thick.

Then finish/buff, sharpen the edge and hand it back to the customer who is usually always amazed by how quickly the repair job is done.

 

[Lavan]

Yeah, I suppose BOTH is the correct way. I've only once had to do both. It was a knife I got second hand. On the ones I get new, I take as much care as possible when sharpening to keep the tip ON the stone.

But...sometimes... it slips.

Good point about raising the tip above the handle. Did that once. Added a One Arm Bandit and didn't check the clearance.

oops.

 

[thombrogan]

Ever notice that "Oops" among knifeknuts involves profuse bleeding, but no need for stitches?

 

[Kohai999]

Ever notice that "Oops" among knifeknuts involves profuse bleeding, but no need for stitches?

1. I do mine from the back, generally.

2. Who needs stitches, when you have Crazy Glue?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Tom Krein]

It really depends on how much of the tip is broken off.

If it is only the very tip I will take it all from the edge, even on a folder as long as the tip is below the handle scales.

If it is a large piece off the tip, like greater than 1/4" of blade I will usually split the difference to the overall blade profile stays the same. The good thing about doing this and not regrinding it is that the tip will be much thicker and less likely for the person to break!

Tom

 

[the possum]

Ya know, at least on traditional slipjoints, it's very easy to adjust the kick to make sure the point sits below the handle scales when closed. I often have to adjust them on brand new knives. Some modern folders may not be easy to adjust in this regard, but others are.