Thread: How thick should a wedge be?

Hmm... See I'm out of my league already. I saw your post on the Shave Den, Glen - Awesome!

I've just been eyeballing the curve/spine relation. I'd make the curve deeper if there was etching or spine work to show off, for sure. (Side note, a window cutout would be cool. Or, a really high scale with a small thumb cut out, like a pocketknife. Red Imp?)

I have two different scales to trace and just use those as basic templates, then lay the razor over to make sure it's tall enough and the angle is right. Starting with a pre-fab scale makes it easier. I focus on the height of the scales so the edge is fully covered, height of spine off the top of the scales and the thickness of the pivot end of the scales, trying to match the tang nicely - these are the "functions" I make sure to cover. The rest is mostly aesthetic, so I freehand the template and wind up eyeballing it after the rough cut. Brad put it into words much better, and I do nearly the same thing.

I'm just trying to imitate what the big dogs are doing, really. I just got to take a look at Max's work in person and it was like 10 lessons in one. Checking out photos and reading tips is just a starting point. It takes a lot of messing around, too.

Originally Posted by Undream

Yep! it has only happened twice in 50+ wedges I've made... I do notice your method generates a lot of wasted material, does it not? or, do you re-use it next time?

Actually, worse than too thin is cutting it shallow to the scales - enter lesson number ???? Temporarily assemble and sand to the scales - not separately. Enter lesson number ????+1 - file down wedge and scales to flush BEFORE fine sanding and polishing scales.

This is the pattern of my learning curve...

Originally Posted by Undream

Yep! it has only happened twice in 50+ wedges I've made... I do notice your method generates a lot of wasted material, does it not? or, do you re-use it next time?

Not really, I cut 1 inch squares basically or damn close to that, which honestly I find is about as small as I can go and still get the angles I want on the sander... I don't see how you guys can press a "wedge" shape into it after you have them that small, I will try one tomorrw to see though, and trust me yer ears will be ringing if I burn a fingertip trying it on the belt.... Hehehehe...

I pretty much do the same 1x1" or so then drill then do the angle, I understand what you mean by adjusting the thickness for the tang though.