WIP - Starting a new batch, all D2 Updated 4/25/11 New Progress

Jsteele said:
Very impressive grinds... do you have any tips for a newbie?
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LOL, I am a newbie!!:D I've only been making knives since August of last year, so I have far less experience than most makers here on the forums, but my biggest suggestion would be READ! Read anything you can get your hands on about grinding a bevel. After that, just dive in. My first few pieces of steel were pretty darn ugly, but you've got to mess up some steel to produce a good grind eventually so whatever grinder you are using just put some metal to it and see what you can do. Bit by bit you learn how not to make big mistakes and how to repair the small ones.

Best of luck, post up your progress as you go!
 
jonnymac44 said:
LOL, I am a newbie!!:D I've only been making knives since August of last year, so I have far less experience than most makers here on the forums, but my biggest suggestion would be READ! Read anything you can get your hands on about grinding a bevel. After that, just dive in. My first few pieces of steel were pretty darn ugly, but you've got to mess up some steel to produce a good grind eventually so whatever grinder you are using just put some metal to it and see what you can do. Bit by bit you learn how not to make big mistakes and how to repair the small ones.

Best of luck, post up your progress as you go!
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Thanks for the reply.. i have been doing a lot of reading and trial and error work as well. Your plunge lines are very clean,how do you usually grind them? Do you overlap your belt about 1/8" on one side to achieve this? Or do you actually use a file and a file guide? And if you don't mind? Can you please explain how you do your swedge grinds? Thank you for your time,and i am sorry if i am hijacking your thread with questions. I am just very impressed with your work,especially knowing you have only been doing this for less than a year.
 
jonnymac44 said:
LOL, I am a newbie!!:D I've only been making knives since August of last year, so I have far less experience than most makers here on the forums, but my biggest suggestion would be READ! Read anything you can get your hands on about grinding a bevel. After that, just dive in. My first few pieces of steel were pretty darn ugly, but you've got to mess up some steel to produce a good grind eventually so whatever grinder you are using just put some metal to it and see what you can do. Bit by bit you learn how not to make big mistakes and how to repair the small ones.

Best of luck, post up your progress as you go!
Click to expand...

:eek: Now that comes as a surprise! Your work is very impressive!
 
Jsteele said:
Thanks for the reply.. i have been doing a lot of reading and trial and error work as well. Your plunge lines are very clean,how do you usually grind them? Do you overlap your belt about 1/8" on one side to achieve this? Or do you actually use a file and a file guide? And if you don't mind? Can you please explain how you do your swedge grinds? Thank you for your time,and i am sorry if i am hijacking your thread with questions. I am just very impressed with your work,especially knowing you have only been doing this for less than a year.
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No worries about the hijack. This thread is meant for discussion of the whole process so we're all good.

My first blades were all done completely freehand because I wanted to get the basics down without any help to see if I could do it. Soon I made a file guide of my own out of some mystery steel and a couple bolts. It improved my plunge lines but I still wasn't totally happy. Then I decided to try out Fred Rowe's Bubble Jig. I use it like a self guided file guide to set my bevels and plunge, then I can take it off and grind fully freehand after that.

My swedges are sometimes done freehand and other times are done starting with the Bubble Jig. It depends how I feel and what I'm going for with the particular knife. I'll admit I'm not the best teacher in the world and the best thing I can tell you is that knowledge comes from trial and error in your own shop. I get tons of great info from the makers here on the forum, but it's never really realized until I go grab some steel and start makng sparks. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. I'm excited to see some of your progress! Have fun with it.
 
jonnymac44 said:
Thank you very much, I'm doing my best to improve with every blade.

Tomorrow is a full shop day so I plan to take some pics and post some progress.
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Your blades look nicer than a lot of "professionals" do. Cant wait to see what they're like in another year.
 
Well, I am still working on CPM 154 blades for customers but I got a chance to spend some time on the D2 batch today. First I got the finish done on the Model 1 EDC that is for a BF member. Then I finished roughing out the handle scales and etched my mark on the blade. It's all ready for glue up now.

Handle material, black and orange G-10, stainless tubes
4-25-1116.jpg


Scales rough shaped, holes drilled
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Dimples drilled for epoxy
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Set up for etching with the personalizer
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Be sure to give it a good rinse immediately after etching with some ammonia/windex/etc.
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Maker's mark is on
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All ready for assembly
4-25-113.jpg
 
jonnymac44 said:
No worries about the hijack. This thread is meant for discussion of the whole process so we're all good.

My first blades were all done completely freehand because I wanted to get the basics down without any help to see if I could do it. Soon I made a file guide of my own out of some mystery steel and a couple bolts. It improved my plunge lines but I still wasn't totally happy. Then I decided to try out Fred Rowe's Bubble Jig. I use it like a self guided file guide to set my bevels and plunge, then I can take it off and grind fully freehand after that.

My swedges are sometimes done freehand and other times are done starting with the Bubble Jig. It depends how I feel and what I'm going for with the particular knife. I'll admit I'm not the best teacher in the world and the best thing I can tell you is that knowledge comes from trial and error in your own shop. I get tons of great info from the makers here on the forum, but it's never really realized until I go grab some steel and start makng sparks. Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. I'm excited to see some of your progress! Have fun with it.
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Thanks again Johhny for your advice and time. I am really enjoying your WIP and learning a lot along the way. I will keep you posted on my progress
 
Johhny

I have Fred's Bubble jig too. Can you tell me your progression of degree jigs you use with the bubble jig to get your grinds on your knife shown above with the scales you are in the middle of making?
 
Jsteele said:
Johhny

I have Fred's Bubble jig too. Can you tell me your progression of degree jigs you use with the bubble jig to get your grinds on your knife shown above with the scales you are in the middle of making?
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J, for most knives I set the initial bevel at 10 degrees. For the knife pictured above, I set it with a 10, then moved on to a 5 degree wedge. Once the 5 degree bevel takes shape I take the jig off and bring the grind up as high as I want it freehand. I prefer finishing without the jig as well. I feel I have more control and can feel small changes better freehand. I believe I started the swedge at 18 degrees.

Best of luck!
 
jonnymac44 said:
J, for most knives I set the initial bevel at 10 degrees. For the knife pictured above, I set it with a 10, then moved on to a 5 degree wedge. Once the 5 degree bevel takes shape I take the jig off and bring the grind up as high as I want it freehand. I prefer finishing without the jig as well. I feel I have more control and can feel small changes better freehand. I believe I started the swedge at 18 degrees.

Best of luck!
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Thanks Johhny... i appreciate all the help.
 
Great WIP Jonny, Im also a newbie to this, so obviously i have a question. What is your process using the etcher to get such clean marks? Mine always end up deep but not near as black as i'd like. Yours look great. Thanks.
 
Damn. I love your work man... everything is so clean and crisp. Are you sure you aren't a robot? ;)

One day I think I might buy one off you... something about them is just really appealing :D

Look forward to keep following this!
 
Been away from this thread for a while, but am still making good progress on this batch. Spent some time yesterday doing etches and cutting handle material/gluing up liners, etc. Not the most exciting day but made good progress

5-16-2011.jpg


My handle/sheath/etching work station. I know, I know.....totally cutting edge:D
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Marking each blade showing the steel used is first rate and adds a nice touch to each knife.

Your neatness is a bit disconcerting; I have been promising myself that I must take out last months trash, for about three months now.

Fred
 
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