KnivesForum

gnique · User Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 24

I am a very new knifemaker. I have made less than 25 knives. I have, however, read a good deal about making knives. I have learned a few things that have been useful to me. I am "teacherless" and by myself in this knifemaking endeaver. Here goes:

I read in a book about Japanese sword polishing that said that new polishers are not allowed to use the coarser polishing stones because they cut too deeply for use in an untrained hand. I found that I could better "teach" my hands to bevel a blade with a very fine belt on my belt grinder. It doesn't remove too much material and it doesn't magnify my mistakes like a 36 or 50 grit belt does. It goes real slow but it's a good way to "teach" my hands how to hold the bland blade to the sanding belt.

I also found that if I rotated my belt sander flat and positioned it such that that the sanding belt was going away from me I can control the grinding process better. I do, of course, keep the sharp side away from me. that is to say that the unedged side is closest to me.

I also found out that I am right handed (I actually already knew that) and therefore my left handed grind requires a lot more attention than my right handed grind.

I also found out that NOBODY does it the same. That came as a revelation to me. After I discovered that I did not have to learn EXACTLY how some more experienced knifemaker grinds his blades, my self teaching process went a lot better and a lot faster.

I honestly hope someone is helped by this small statement. I have been helped greatly by the written words of others.

Daithi · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:29 am Post subject:

Self teaching is a great way to discover new ways or rediscover old ways. Mostly because the self taught will take nothing at face value and must test everything out. This often leads them down the road less traveled but can be very rewarding in the longrun.
Thanks for your interesting insights. I have myself flat ground on a horizontal platten and got quiet handy at it. Like you I would have the belt rotating away from me but I would have the sharp side of the blade facing towards me.

Macabee · Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:

Do what works for you and it sounds like it's working.
Personaly I grind with the belt running towards me and with the edge facing the direction of the belt so that the belt hits the edge first. I also have my grinder set at an angle and not straight up or flat. Mostly becuase this is what works for me.
Post some pics of your work so we can see them.