Knife Grinding Magnet

[sticshooter]

I hear tell about this Knife Grinding Magnet. Sounded like a new knife making gadget. Stic likes knife making gadgets. Anyone have info on them. Good bad ?<><

[kbaknife]

Anything I have ever used to help hold my blades is now laying over in the corner collecting dust.
Go ahead and get tangled up in the belt grinder, lose some finger nails, grind off some knuckels and some skin, take your bumps and bruises, let the scar tissue settle in and your hands become impervious to the heat, and just learn to hold and control the blade with your hands and finger tips.
You'll be better off in the long run and will have more control of the blade AND the outcome.
Go to a maker's shop who has been doing this for a while and have him show you how its done.
There are some tips regarding locking in your elbows and using your entire body to control the grind, but it's always much simpler when someone can show you.

[OconeeDan]

I am going to do something really stoopid and tell you that I completely disagree with Karl on this one, Frank.
Karl, please accept my apology up front.
I LOVE the magnet.  I have one that has a little built in handle, a very strong magnet.
I do NOT use this magnet when grinding the bevel or hollow grind, when doing stock removal.
However, it is most useful when you want to smooth out barstock that has a rough finish, such as taking a blade and making nice smooth sides prior to grinding the bevel.  You can hold with the magnet, and pass over a grinding wheel from one end to the other, and get a good smooth finish.
ALSO, as the blade gets hot, no problem, as the magnet is holding it.  You are going to treat and temper later anyway.  So it saves a little "dipping" time, but more importantly, more comfort.  
ALSO, you can hold small parts when grinding or polishing, such as guards.  Parts that are hard to hold unless you grow your fingernails.
I put the magnet away when grinding the bevel, and put on a tight fitting mechanics gloves, just in case I get too aggressive.  You can feel heat through them and not run the blade too hot when that is important.
Dan

[sticshooter]

Thats what I was thinking Dan Thanks. And karl I have been here (tangled up in the belt grinder, lose some finger nails, grind off some knuckels and some skin, take your bumps and bruises, let the scar tissue settle in and your hands become impervious to the heat) And do have the scares to prove it.
   <><

[tippit]

Talk to Doug about his magnet set up for grinding the tapered tang.  I haven't try a magnet cause I still taper my tang with forging hammers...but his magnet idea is slick.  Doc

[kbaknife]

OK - I take it back.
No offense taken, Dan.
I do use the magnet for some operations.
Like initial tapering here and there and sometimes flattening or removing scale, etc.
Just the basic stuff.
It can be handly and does offer some control and protection.
BUT! When it comes to grinding the blade angles and refining edges, etc,. I would only trust my hands for the fine work. You just really need to be able to FEEL what's going on and to feel that blade against the wheel/platen.
Magnets and holders are OK for hogging off material or holding small items.
But when it comes to fine work, only my hands are acceptable.
Possibly a variable speed grinder takes some of the risk factor out as well.

[d. ward]

wow I was scared to jump in here and ask if Dan could show a pic.I have to grind and resharpen some small parts from time to time and one got warm the other day flew out of my hand to hot to hold.Hit the sander and l've not found that part yet dang it I use it everyday too or let me say I used to use it everyday.Its one of my custom bow scrapers.Dan I don't want anyone
pee'd at me eather but I would love to see a pic and info where me and Karl could buy one...just kidding Karl...bd

[sticshooter]

Originally posted by kbaknife:
Anything I have ever used to help hold my blades is now laying over in the corner collecting dust.
 
Originally posted by kbaknife: I do use the magnet for some operations.

Karl I hope ya dust it off before you use it.       <><

[OconeeDan]

Here is mine.  Can't remember where I bought it, but I bought it at the Blade Show a year ago, and never regretted it.  Very strong magnet.  When part gets hot, I dip it in water, magnet and all. A time saver.
As karl and others have said, I do not use this for grinding bevels.  Only putting smooth finish on blade, hogging out handle, taper tangs, and small parts.
Seems like I got mine from Hawkins Knife Supply  www.hawkinsknifemakingsupplies.com
but I can't swear to it.  Texas and Jantz have their own versions too, but I don't think they have handles.
Dan
 

[d. ward]

I like it and I'll check with a couple shops near me.Thanks Dan you da man this week bd

[Doug Campbell]

Very handy tools when you need em, got mine from Bass Pro, I think they called it a lure retriever... Came with an eye bolt but I put this handle on it.
 
Very powerful with four magnets.
 

[d. ward]

Thanks Dan and Doug that will work great for holding the smaller parts I have to grind.I still have not found the scraper that got hot and flew out of my hand.thanks again bd