[mongrelmutt]

Hello,

I have a few stockman pattern knives that I want to modify their blade shapes into Wharncliffes and other shapes. Can I use a bench grinder as long as I quench the blade as not to lose its temper? Also, the modified knives I've seen on the web look so good it's like they come from the manufacturer that way (Rick's Double Cross!). How do you smooth an polish them specifically. Any procedures and hints would be greatly appreciated . I already messed up one knife, still usable but its UGLY! Thanks.

Sean

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I suggest you send them to Rick at Littleshavers. I have a sharpener and use it regularly, but when it comes to shaping up a new blade or reshaping, I send to Rick....don't have enough experience in that area and don't want to mess up a nice knife! I am getting experience by making a few knives of my own....mess those up and just out a little time!

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Yes you can use a bench grinded if you quench often enough. LIght pressure and more quenching than you think is necessary.

After the grinder, a belt sander with successively finer grit belts.

Then sharpening on stones.

Then buffing on a buffing wheel and stropping, maybe going back to the stones and then stropping again.

If you don't have any knives to practice on, do what Hi-Ho says - "Send them to Rick."

[Clifford_Parker]

E-bay is a good source of practice material. I have bought several "off brand" knives from there for $5-$10 including shipping. While I haven't changed the shape on any of my "good" knives I didn't mind practicing my grinding and sanding techniques on these and even got a good whittlin/carving knife out of one of the Ranger stockman types.

[rick-in-seattle]

Blades may be reshaped on a grinding wheel, it isn't the abrasive that will damage the temper, it is heat.

To get a nice polished finish, use finer and finer grits to reduce the depth of the scratches.

Very important: to remove fine scratches, you must buff perpendicular to the scratches.

[mongrelmutt]

Thanks for all your replies. I will practice on some cheapies until I get it right.

[Nancy_G]

mongrel -- love your avatar.
But your signature line.............
well, I blew Diet Pepsi out my nose and all over my keyboard and screen.

[Donna_T]

When I first got my sharpener, it was suggested that I get some cheap dinner knives at the flea market or garage sales and practice on them. Man, could I cut butter slicker than a whistle! Got some strange shapes and mostly learned what not to do! And...a whole lot cheaper than ruining all my carving knives right off the bat.
Donna T

[mongrelmutt]

Thanks Nancy. My avatar is my most recent golfball carving. As far as the sig goes well, sorry about your keyboard. ;-) Again thanks to all for the suggestions. I'm a newbie and these boards are an invaluable resource.

Sean