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Stuff like that can have several possibilities..... When on a single side like that, it's usually indicative of a misalignment issue.....the belt(s) are pulling/digging in harder on that edge. I've also see that happen when too soft a contact wheel is used, along with too much down pressure...

I did it for a lot of years with just a Grizzly mini lathe. It's a bit harder creating the tooling needed for that tiny lathe, but doable, and I'd highly encourage replaceable/insert carbide tooling. I also believe that a mini lathe simply won't last as long as a larger one.... in my case...

EEEKKK!! And that line from my Grandpa just went through my head..... "Ed, There's traps everywhere for a man." I really hate these types of lessons. Take care of that hand, and heal up quickly!

My suspicion is that the finished material was compromised through the creation process. I've always been somewhat suspicious of any commercially available/manufactured Damascus and/or laminated steels. Why? First, whomever produces it, are always super secretive about the process...

That's a trait of using certain Trizact belts in a surface grinding scenario. As you travel the road of knifemaking, you will find all kinds of little bumps and potholes like that. Generally in the areas you'd least expect.

Neither! Either of those will be too soft, and will result in a convex face on whatever you're surface grinding. The down pressure causes the wheel material to "cup", and creates a convex face on whatever you grind. Can it be avoided with wheels that soft? Yes, but most people don't have...

The horn is drilled, and here in Montana, they literally pound in a numbered metal plug about 1/2" in diameter, with "inspected by MT F&W" engraved on the plug. They usually use a different color between red, green, and blue that they rotate each year. If you're caught with a full horn, that...

Aluminum or copper plates, generally 1"+ thick are preferred for plate quenching, because the transfer heat MUCH better then steel/angle iron. In some cases, the angle iron will not cool the steel rapidly enough to fully harden. The best advise is to educate yourself on what steels are...

My advice is to simply stay away from fresh ivory (elephant or other modern stuff). Current laws are so ambiguous about requirements of certification and/or documentation, that it's a gamble to even own any. I stopped using it in the early 90s, after watching a bunch of knifemakers get...

These are small screws that you can get through most knife supply outfits. However, I would caution you to thoroughly check out exactly what you are getting, BEFORE ordering. Why? One word.... Tolerances. These screws/hardware are tiny to begin with, and generally used in tight tolerance...

I think one thing that UPS does....is move people around so much, that you never get to know the drivers. The longest I can ever remember one driving the route I'm on, was about 4 months. I got to know the guy fairly well, but when a new driver showed up, I ask him where XXXX had gone, that he...

What's required to etch it, is dependent on if the entire billet is stainless, and the type(s) of stainless in the billet. I find it a little suspicious that complete instructions for heat treating AND etching were not included with the purchase.... usually reputable Damascus makers/sellers...

That's interesting.... I quit using UPS for a very similar reason. I purchased, and shipped TWO burgmaster OB drill presses via UPS. They both arrived literally destroyed beyond use. I had paid the additional $$$ for insurance, and was assured that IF anything happened to them, I would be...

Just did a quick "proof" etch on these two..... Got what I wanted in this one... But this one got a bit more compacted then I'd hoped.... Top one is getting turned into a high end hunter for a client. I think I might work on the second one a bit and try to draw it widthwise..... to open...

Just a heads up with that variety of Trizact belts..... the are intended for "full coverage" grinding....meaning that you want the steel/materials to fully cover the belt when using. If you attempt to do grind a thin cross section, say like trying to grind lengthwise on a blade's spine, or...

You nailed it....that is exactly how it's done. It works out to about a 50% material waste of Damascus.... but by using the kit parts, and charging what I do, I can still make it worth my efforts. ;)

Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it! There was a time when I built everything and ever part for my damascus pens..... problem was, that a complete pen too about a week to make, and it drove the cost past $1k each.... as you can image, not a big seller in that price range. So to...

The final clean up is accomplished..... When the knife is completed....totally, just prior to packaging it up for shipping I carefully go over the entire knife, under a lighted magnifier, and using tools such as a sharpened brass rod (3/32" dia or smaller), an old toothbrush, Q-tips, and...

Did somebody say pens?? Couldn't resist.... Hobby or Pro, being as diverse as possible in your offerings can mean the difference between success and failure. I started building pens like this to give to customer who purchased high end knives, as a thank you gift. They quickly took on a...

It's definitely all about what an individual wants to do in a build versus buy scenario. Personally, I think far too many who say they are going to "build my own", thinking they are going to save a bunch of money, greatly under estimate the cost of materials/components/parts, and far over...