grind direction question

N.N

N.N

Well-Known Member
I grind horizontal because it's all I can do at the moment with my setup. I see how others with a bigger platen can grind the flats vertically from tip to tang and leave the primary bevels horizontal so that there is a nice clean cut line.

But then I see a lot of knives that look as though the entire flat and bevel looks as though it was ground vertically, sort of hiding the the lines a bit. How do you get the bevels like that? Is it in the polishing? I ask because it's obvious that the belt wont do that and I not sure that I've even used a polishing wheel enough to realize that polishing would still leave those lines.

Edit: I use a 1x30....any idea on a good way to get the flats?
 
I believe you will read that most makers grind as you do. Some do the "vertical" thing and some will use both. Frank
 
If I am tapering a tang I work vertically and if I am grinding the bevels I work Horizontally.

this is on a 2 x 72 and is the way most work as Frank stated. I don't see how you could work vertically on a 1 x 30 unless
your knives are 1" in height or less?
 
I've just seen pictures all over the site where the finished, polished knife looks as though it was ground completely vertical, including the bevels. I was just curious if there was something i'm missing.
 
N.N said:
I've just seen pictures all over the site where the finished, polished knife looks as though it was ground completely vertical, including the bevels. I was just curious if there was something i'm missing.
Click to expand...

It is probably during the hand sanding phase. I hand sand vertically from tip to tang but I grind horizontally.
 
Tony Manifold said:
It is probably during the hand sanding phase. I hand sand vertically from tip to tang but I grind horizontally.
Click to expand...

Well that certainly makes sense, and I've done some hand sanding....but it never looks as smooth and even as the belt gets it....fish hooks, uneven, etc. Is there a secret?
 
I believe what you are seeing is a hand sanded / hand rubbed finish, though I have seen a couple of flat platens set up to finish grind flats and plung lines for a "vertical" finish.

The only way to achieve this with a 1x30 would be to horizontally grind the bevels, and then finish with a hand sanding.
 
There are a few makers/Machinists within the last year or so that are making long finishing Platens for doing your plunges and blade finishes at the same time. There are Very few of these around yet so its most likely hand sanding work you are seeing.

Save up for a real grinder in 2 x 72. The belts are a better value and you can do so much more!
My first real big boy grinder was a www.cootebeltgrinder.com Still have it along with others.
 
thanks for the replies....I'll look into those Nick Wheeler videos. Can't wait to get a better grinder, but I'm still in my first year and I've got quite a few more to sell before I put that much into it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top