Cutting down a blade...shortening!!

[Jacques13]

Hi I have this blade, it's a KBextra #67.
While trying my hand at restoring it I was distracted for half a second and the Dremel cought it. The result was a crack in the blade, about ¼" at about ¾" from the end. This blade is great and looks like it could be a great shaver.

I want to shorten it, cut the ¾" off, round off the tip. It would still have a 2¼ shaving surface.

But I need your help on how to go about cutting it, hand saw, grinder (I think nor) or any other method you can suggest would be greatly appreciated. AND what not to do.

OR am I loosing my time with this blade. I don't want to throw ot away.

Thanks

Jacques

[Philadelph]

I'd use a Dremel cutting wheel of some sort, cutting oil of some sort, and I'd make sure not to heat up the blade too much. Avoid the metal getting hot enough to change color at all costs! It might take more than a few minutes to do this, so don't get discouraged right away when you start. I think I've heard guys say they dip the blade in cool water very often so it isn't heating up.

[JohnP]

I feel your pain on this. I had to do the same thing to a 6/8 Goldedge. It's still a 6/8, but its blade is only about 1 1/2" long now if that.
Keep it cool, and careful cutting that thing.

John P.

[smythe]

Hi I have this blade, it's a KBextra #67.
While trying my hand at restoring it I was distracted for half a second and the Dremel cought it. The result was a crack in the blade, about ¼" at about ¾" from the end. This blade is great and looks like it could be a great shaver.

I want to shorten it, cut the ¾" off, round off the tip. It would still have a 2¼ shaving surface.

But I need your help on how to go about cutting it, hand saw, grinder (I think nor) or any other method you can suggest would be greatly appreciated. AND what not to do.

OR am I loosing my time with this blade. I don't want to throw ot away.

Thanks

Jacques

Ouch... that’s gotta hurt!

Same thing happened to me with a 6/8 hollow while polishing a fine blade (Distracted... Dremel -> clockwise, blade edge down at the 10-O-clock... contact)… a few choice words… whispered… so the kids don’t hear.

It’s not for the faint of hart but if you take a few precautions you can do this easy without burning your blade (or any other part of your anatomy).

Wear goggles and a dust mask, as suggested use the Flex Shaft.

Cut sloooowly... the patience is worth it.

I have done this a few times and I can post detailed instructions with a few photos exactly how I did this... but the instructions necessarily long.

[Jacques13]

Ok it's done. Took my time and went to work. A metal saw didn't even scratch it, a file wouldn't leave a mark so I went to my Dremel and cutting wheel.

I started cutting from the top of the spine.
I had a glass of iced water beside me. I would cut for 1 to 1½ second and soak the blade, took my time and when I got near the really thin part of the blade I stopped took a pair of pliers and just broke it off.

I took the jagged end to my 1" band saw and again worked very slowly, soaking, grinding for very short periods if time.

Polish it off with 400, 800 and 1500 wet paper.

Here are the results. I am satisfied with the cut.

Now I have to make scales for this "shorty".

Jacques
Quebec, Canada

[Philadelph]

Looks great! Congrats!

[smythe]

Man that looks good... I bet she'll be a great shaver too, once you get her scaled.
Do you still have the original scales? If they are in good condition you could "shorten" them too, and put those scales on.

[Sharp&Shiny]

Nice recovery .It loooks really nice.Let us know what it turns out like.Paul

[DwarvenChef]

Very nice, I have a few in the box that have been slated for shortening. Hope they come out that nice

[floppyshoes]

Well done, another beauty saved from the letter opener pile. Incidentally I have some letter openers to give away at the Montreal meeting if anyone wants a challenge.