Greg C. Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Is this faster than carving? WOOT First post:D CN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Depends on your skills and tools! Most pro's grind handles using 2x72" belt grinders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I do all my handles on a grinder. Easy and fast. Takes a bit of practice to get real good results. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Usually, yes. Be VERY careful about breathing the dust, some woods are quite dangerous, ironwood for instance. Eye protection is a must too. Welcome aboard. If you'll go to the top of the page, click on "User CP" and edit your profile to show your location there's probably someone close by you can get together with. Heck, maybe even ME! Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbaknife Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 I quit grinding handles almost four years ago and I'll never do it again. Files, friend. Files. Lock the blade in a knife vise, use the right files, and your results will amaze even yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Fredeen Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I like to rough the shape of the handle in on the grinder, just to make things go a bit quicker (knock down all the excess and establish the general shape), but once I bring it close, I tend to do the rest by hand, with rasps, files, and sand paper. Grinders eat steel real quick, and they eat softer things like wood, bone, and other grip materials even faster. Its super easy to screw up the grip on a grinder if you don't have a lot of practice. Its harder to mess up when you are doing things slow by hand since you have a great deal more of control of where material is being removed and how quickly. Ultimately it boils down to available equipment, personal pereference, style, and your own individually determined skill and methods. What works beautifully for one smith, may work horribly for you. Experiment a bit, find out what works for you and go for it :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg C. Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Thanks I'll do that. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Very nice results Karl. Most folk are surprised at just how fast you can remove material with files and scrapers. It's hard to beat the precision. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emtor Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Files and scrapers sounds like a good idea. Up till now I've been using a sanding disc with 40 grit paper. When the handle is nearly finished I fit the blade, then I attach the blade in a vice and continue shaping the handle with long strips of sanding paper. I hold the strip at both ends and let the middle of the paper form a tight curve around the top/bottom of the handle. A wider curve is used for the sides. This ensures an even and symmetrical shape and the control is great. The finishing touch is done by sanding in a more regular fashion using pieces of sanding paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfie Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 hey I like to use grinders but watch out if you are using normal grinding disks they will burn the wood, which is a pig to finish out and it glazes the disks try using 'flappers' they are designed for softer materials and a nice sharp rasp is surprisingly quick - dont use blunt tools! Alfie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.