Question for experienced hollow ground knife makers?

rhinoknives

rhinoknives

Well-Known Member
Over the years I have made 99% of my knives on a flat platen, Flat ground, or a slack belt, Convex ground or a combo of the two.

I have thought about buying a 14" or 20" wheel for making some knives.

I have been told by one grinder MFG that the serrated wheels are out dated and not necessary with today's ceramic belts. He doesn't happen to sell serrated wheels.

My idea about getting a serrated wheel is to take the metal off faster both while hollow grinding and then when doing profiling work.

Can you other makers that have experience with the serrated wheels really of any size give me your findings if the serrated wheel has any benefits or detractors over a smooth wheel?
Grinding time? Finishing quality? Etc?

Thanks.
Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
Laurence,
While I have never used serrated wheel for any amount of time (used in other makers shop) The only noticeable difference I saw was less heat generated. they may cut faster, but I had nothing to compare them to. I have always heard they cut faster though.

God Bless
Mike
 
I have been doing hollow grinds for a long time and have both serrated and smooth wheels.
The best scenario is to have both, because your finish work will suffer with a serrated wheel. If a guy was to only have one wheel for everything, I would recommend a smooth wheel. But that being said, I do not use my contact wheels for profiling. I use a flat platen with work rest and my horizontal small wheel grinder to do my profiling. I do think the serrated runs a little cooler and maybe faster to hog things off. Butt I have a lighter grinding style than some, so there are variables to consider. These things are pricey, so you want to preserve them not abuse them. I would also pay the extra for rubber instead of saving a buck on the polyurethane, used them both and that's just my opinion.
Hope this helps ya!
Clint
 
Thanks,
To you gents,

Clint, Yes they are expensive and the rubber in 90 Duro is what I have in mind.

So that's one vote for the smooth!

Any other Dogger's out there with some experience with both kinds of wheels?
Any other Pro's or Con's?

Thanks.

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
Serrated wheels grind a bit cooler due to the slots. They also leave a slightly rougher finish. They are more aggressive in how they cut so will make a belt last a bit longer than they would otherwise. Extending the life of a dull belt like this isn't always the best way to go as a dull belt still grabs, skips, grinds hotter and leaves a streaky finish than a fresh, sharp belt. Still, for hogging, a serrated wheel is a good way to go. I have and use both smooth and serrated wheels but then I have access to more wheels than maybe most average knife shops.

I don't believe they are outdated. I sell them because I think they have have utility. I think many guys are forced to make a decision based on how much in tooling they want to invest. If a guy is buying just one wheel, I'd suggest always starting with a smooth wheel. If you have a need and some tooling funds burning a hole in your pocket, get a serrated wheel for hogging and extending the life of belts and gaining a small amount of economy there.
 
Thanks Tracy,
That's pretty much what I thought myself. Glad to hear from someone with experience, Get the smooth first because of better finishing and if I can afford it and want to removal metal faster? get the serrated second.

I suspected the comment about the serrated wheels being obsolete was because he didn't have a supplier for them and wanted to sell what he had in stock.

Thanks again for your input, I have two different machines that I might run this wheel on so the homework continues.

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
Hi Laurence,
90 Duro is pretty darn hard for finish work, I would suggest something around a 70 Duro for all around use. Maybe someone else could back me up on this? Also, keep those smooth wheels clean as you can, especially after doing rough grinding. I have had stray grit or metal pieces get impregnated in the rubber and it will ruin your day when finishing with thin flexible belts!
Clint
rhinoknives said:
Thanks,
To you gents,

Clint, Yes they are expensive and the rubber in 90 Duro is what I have in mind.

So that's one vote for the smooth!

Any other Dogger's out there with some experience with both kinds of wheels?
Any other Pro's or Con's?

Thanks.

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
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