Thread: Grinding thoughts

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

The only other thing I try to do differently is to start grinding in the middle of the blade rather than either toe or heel. Then I sneak up on the ends of the blade. It helps keep the grind line straight and the hollow even. If you make a mistake in the toe or heel area then you're stuck with that for the basis of everything else. It seems that you're naturally grinding out the middle first anyway with your results.

You never told me that! and I did not notice how Terry Knipshield did it
Ok, I will give that a try.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

You never told me that! and I did not notice how Terry Knipshield did it
Ok, I will give that a try.

Sorry, it's a stream of consciousness thing, I guess. I didn't think of that until Delirium posted his thoughts.

I picked that trick up from a scandinavian knife maker long after I'd been working blades (and frustrated at the work I went through to get it right...)

Getting the wheel to stay within the scribed lines is no different than trimming a moustache. With a blade, you can keep going back and forth all day until you have a metal toothpick to show for your efforts.

thanks for the additions guys, really good stuff

here is an animation I made to show how I go about grinding a smiling blade (the razor pictured isn't really that great of an example, but the path is very close I think)

I hope this gif works... we'll see

It looks like the gif didn't work in the post, so here is a link to it in the wiki
Smile Grinding

I know it isn't perfect, but the basic idea is there I suppose

Hey there guys,

Great info here, thanks for that.

Is 'annealed steel' the type of steel to buy, or is it a process you put it through before grinding?

I'm hoping to make my own razors eventually and am just trying to learn as much as i can, at the moment I know very little.

Originally Posted by Arcanum

Hey there guys,

Great info here, thanks for that.

Is 'annealed steel' the type of steel to buy, or is it a process you put it through before grinding?

I'm hoping to make my own razors eventually and am just trying to learn as much as i can, at the moment I know very little.

Generally speaking....Annealed steel is steel that has been softened. The term applies to all types of steel.
The steel I use is 1095 steel. A high carbon unalloyed steel. The process to anneal this steel is to heat it to over the critical temp, 1475 F.,
and then promptly put it in a insulated box so that it cools very slowly. There is a better way but a kiln is needed for that method.
Generally, when you purchase the steel you will be told if it is cold rolled annealed or hot rolled and not annealed.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

Generally speaking....Annealed steel is steel that has been softened. The term applies to all types of steel.
The steel I use is 1095 steel. A high carbon unalloyed steel. The process to anneal this steel is to heat it to over the critical temp, 1475 F.,
and then promptly put it in a insulated box so that it cools very slowly. There is a better way but a kiln is needed for that method.
Generally, when you purchase the steel you will be told if it is cold rolled annealed or hot rolled and not annealed.

I'm penning frantic notes as I read all the posts I'm going through, old fashioned I know but a little easier when it comes to quick referencing.
Now I know what kind of steel I'll eventually be looking for I won't make as much of a plonker of myself when asking. Thanks a lot mate.

Originally Posted by Arcanum

I'm penning frantic notes as I read all the posts I'm going through, old fashioned I know but a little easier when it comes to quick referencing.
Now I know what kind of steel I'll eventually be looking for I won't make as much of a plonker of myself when asking. Thanks a lot mate.

An old file is made from high carbon, unalloyed steel and makes for some good practice material. The downside is that it must first be annealed and the teeth must be ground off. Be sure to start with a thick, 1/4" or better, file or else be willing to settle for a smaller razor.

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

thanks for the additions guys, really good stuff

here is an animation I made to show how I go about grinding a smiling blade (the razor pictured isn't really that great of an example, but the path is very close I think)

I hope this gif works... we'll see

It looks like the gif didn't work in the post, so here is a link to it in the wiki
Smile Grinding

I know it isn't perfect, but the basic idea is there I suppose

I sure wish I had your skill with graphics!

If you fellas don't mind, I'm going to be compiling all of your tips along with the stuff here and making a razor grinding page on the wiki. I really appreciate your input, and by all means keep it coming!

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I sure wish I had your skill with graphics!

Ha... parlor tricks I tell you