Hey all,
I wanted to ask a question about the stock removal method of knifemaking. I am a bit unclear about a couple of things.
Lets assume that I already have the shape of the blade and handle tang done and I am now ready to start removing material from each side of the steel.
I have seen in a few DIY threads and been told that a good way to start is to draw or scribe the actual edge profile (the part that extends 1/2 inch up from the actual cutting edge) on each side. Then take a drill bit the same width as the steel thickness and scribe a line down the middle of the edge the length you want the cutting edge to be.
After those 2 things are done it's time for the filing and all you do is file each side from the top of your edge profile down to meet that scribed line on the edge. Of course I am WAY OVER SIMPLIFYING things, but that is the general instructions I have gotten out of my reading.
Questions:
1. Is what I describe basically right? If not, what do I have wrong?
2. What hangs me up is the part where you just start filing with a mil bastard or grinding with a belt sander. Isn't it critical that the same angles are used on each side? I can see how if you were careful each side would be close to being the same, but that seems kinda hard to do free hand?
3. Should you use a guide for your file? I am thinking of something like a Lansky or KME sharpener setup just on a bigger scale where your 12 inch file could be held at a constant angle for each file stroke until you got down to the marks on the steel that were previously made.
That's about all for now. I apologize for not knowing the actual terms of the blade and such. I just describe them as best I know.
If you all can point me in the right direction on this stuff it would go a long way in helping me sort out this whole process.
Thanks for your time.
Nalajr