Thread: An experiment in steel

the grind as butch noticed isn't as thin as I would like, I thought I was extremely shallow, and found I had some way to go.
I wanted to stay low tech, and I did way better than I thought possible.
My next purchase is going to be a belt sander...
The blade pictured above is not finished yet, but I am going to hone it and see if it can shave before I try to polish this turd any further...

Lessons learned:
#1 be patient, impatience will make you bleed or turn your blade blue.

#2 read everything you can about the steel you will use and practice on scraps before doing your HT

#3 it can be done bare bones, but the right equipment will improve results, and save you countless hours of grief.

#4 if you have fun and learn something, any result can be a good one.

Shave on

fun is fun and pain is short learnign is long

i hope you dont think that i dont fight getting grinds right cause its one of the most ime eating parts of the razor making

i can hog out a blade close to finish in short order btu the tie to get the edge looking right and the finish jsut right is easy 2x the time

Hollow grinding has been the most difficult part, and I don't imagine doing it on a bader is any less difficult than a bench grinder ... If there is any area I'm not satisfied with, that is it...

I'm scared of getting too deep into it on a grinding wheel...
Hopefully a belt will feel better, and give cleaner lines.

Also I should have done a second temper.
I spent over an hour trying to hone it with little progress...
My 1k stone is cutting slower than an 8k.
Will go to a coarser stone in the AM and try again when I'm fresh... I set the bevel on 400 grit, and spent over an hour trying to hone out the scratches... I may have to go to diamond pastes to polish the bevel and get a shaving edge...

It's been great following this thread and I've learned a ton.
Thanks Mike for sharing, I'm sure this has encouraged some of us to have a go who otherwise may have shyed away, it's certainly given me new enthusiasm.
The scales realy do make a big difference, that's a nice job.
Hadn't noticed the jimps before Mike, would be nice to elaborate on that aspect at some time.
hollowing and ht are the steps that give me cold sweats, but following your progress has eased this somewhat, look forward to test shaves, keep us posted.

JG
Deckard

best bet to keep from grinding through the blade when hollowingf out is a good light and make sure that the grind is even heel to toe
i have found that as i grind i need to work the heel and toe more then the center of the blade with the good light you cn see the reflection in the dip

but even with all that i grind right through a blade now and then some near the edge making a frown and others higher up with the 2 inch wheel making a hole not a singing blade

Shucks,
I thought I might take my first down to a full hollow after ht, I think I'll stick with 1/4, to much time investment to face getting a hole.
I've a friend who has access to wire eroder with real prospect of getting stock blanks in volume which will cut down the time aspect. Won't mind so much experimenting with these once I get this off the ground, or even just practice on some rectangular mild steel stock.
Thanks for the benefit of your experience Chris.

Sorry Butch, confusing you with another member.

Took my torch and very carefully drew a light gold temper on the edge...
The edge was wearing down my hones...
Looks like it's taking to the hones a bit better now.
Going to do asecond temper on my other blade also