Who do you think the best blade grinders are?

Russ Andrews has always amazed me with his grinding. I've seen the first knife he ever made; ground out with an angle grinder. Even on that knife, with that crude instrument, the grinds were great.
 
I favor sweeping/flowing bevels especially around the tip and choil areas. The top grinders in my book are...

BREND hands down
ONION.. Malice!
RJ Martin very smooth
Mick Strider is a freehand genius
Ryan, Marfione, Lightfoot
 
I agree with Tom big list, all my big favorites have been mentioned 'cept for Jerry Hossum.

Good to see some multible makers in there. Tony Bose can also do a bit of grinding.

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I'm certainly no expert but I have read that Bob Dozier is very highly regarded. I have two of Bob's blades and I cannot fault the.
 
I'm not familiar with all of the names mentioned in this thread, but I've handled a couple of Bob Dozier knives, and I don't see how anyone could ask for anything more. They're as precision as a fine Swiss Watch.
 
I think it is an absolute requisite to be a successful knifemaker, to have mastered blade grinding. I agree with the names persented. Some more 'successful' than others.

Now, grinding a straight-across bevel on a knife would seem to me MUCH easier than a sweeping grind. I see a lot of names on this list whose work has shown they've mastered the first aspect well. But, are they more versatile in other grinds?

Therefore, what styles would be the HARDEST blade style to grind? For this, I cannot answer and I would defer to the makers.

I would submit that a sweeping dagger grind would be the imminent pinnacle. I dunno. Is, for example, a Brend, Siska, Blackwood flowing hollow-grind easier than a 7" flat-ground hunter? How about a 12" Bowie?

Educate me.

Coop
 
This thread is far too informative and fascinating to let it slide. I hope the mods won't get mad at me For bumping it back up to the top.:eek:
 
I believe Brend is one of the best not only for his ability to grind a blade but also for his finishing ability and keeping the grinds razor sharp. I agree with Coop all listed are very good but I am asking about the guys who have mastered the next level, not just straight bevels and absolutely no chisel grinds. To me a chisel grind seems like it would be much easier because it is only one side of the blade.
 
I think chisel grinds are absurdly easy. Theres nothing to make symmetrical whatsoever, no plunges to match or grind lines to match. Heat treating a chisel ground blade is next to impossible, however, without a resulting U shaped blade (maybe press quench for stainless). This usually requires grinding hardened steel, which somewhat offsets how easy they are to grind by forcing you to go slower, dunk more often and use up more belts.
 
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