Which contact wheel

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Gossman Knives

Edged Toolmaker
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Apr 9, 2004
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This question is directed toward anyone who hollow grinds. I'd like to get a contact wheel for my KMG but I'm not sure which size to get, 6, 8 or 10". I'd like to start doing some hollow grinds and would like some recommendations as to which size is best. Thanks
Scott
 
This is one of those questions where personal preference has a lot to do with the answer. However, for most knives a 10" wheel has worked best for me and if I could afford it I'd get a larger wheel. If you're doing very narrow grinds a smaller wheel would work better; a dagger for example might benefit from using a 6" wheel.

You didn't ask but since I'm not entirely happy with my serrated wheel I thought I'd mention that also. It's great for stock removal but that's not a lot of the work...finish grinding is far more important to me and the serrations make that quite a bit more difficult.
 
Yes....What Dave said. This question pops up daily ....and the answer really boils down to personal preference. Here are a few comments (my personal opinion) that might help.

There are a million other uses for the contact wheel other than just hollow grinding. The contact wheel is the most efficient way to remove material and provides an excellent surface finish. Smaller wheels can fit into smaller areas. Contact wheels can be used for handle work, such as shaping palm swells. For this task, a 6" might be better than a 10"

For hollow grinding, small blades look great when ground with big wheels....big blades look silly when ground on small wheels. For example, a small slip joint folder blade that is 3/8" tall from the edge to the spine, looks flat when ground on a 10" wheel. On the other hand, a large camp knife that measures 2" tall from the edge to the spine might look silly if the grind is only 1/2" tall from the edge.

You can play games with the contact wheel to get flatter/taller grinds by tilting the blade towards vertical when grinding.

The most popular selling wheel size for me is a toss up between the 8" and 10". The 6" is the least selling size and is easily beaten by the 12" and 14".


Sincerely,
Rob
 
Along the lines of what Rob said, a 10" wheel will do just about any type grinding you'd want to do.

On the subject of serrated wheels, I do all my hollow grinding on a serrated wheel. They stay cooler and I do 98% of my hollow grinding after heat treatment.

I think the the hardness/softness of the wheel has alot to do with hollow grinding, whether they are smooth or serrated.

If you are running a constant speed grinder, bear in mind the difference in belt speed as you go from small to large diameter.
 
I have both a 8" and 10" the 10" is the best all around wheel. I would like to go to a 12 or 14" wheel. I have thought about building a platen with a large radius, but that is another story. Gib
 
I have 8, 10, and 14" solid contact wheels, as well as smaller ones that are on the platen attachment.

Forgetting the 14" for the moment, I use the 10" for most grinding. I use the 8" for smaller knives, and also to grind the false edge if required, as it's easier to keep in a smaller bevel.
I also use the 8" for grinding the hollow in the center of my tang on most knives, for tapering. I just find it works best for that.

I would get both, but If I had to choose between getting an 8", or 10", I'd get the 10.

I haven't used my 14" yet.
 
The smaller diameter contact wheel will dig into the work faster than a larger diameter contact wheel. The longer you let the smaller wheels sit in one spot the greater chance you have of grinding a boo-boo. Need to keep the material moving across the wheel with all contact wheels.
 
Very imformative answers. :) Thanks alot guys. ;) There is alot more that's involved in choosing a wheel then I expected. Sounds like I may need more then one wheel for different jobs. The 10" looks like the best one to start out with. I'll start with that one and build from there. That's why I love this forum, it shows me I still have alot to learn and this is the place for the best info. :D Thank you
Scott
 
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