DeMo 2022 Kith

Dennis Morland

Dennis Morland

KNIFE MAKER
Another year, another KITH. I missed one (Bowie KITH). Not gonna happen this year. I am going to get started early.

Not going to make this thread a how-to. There are thousands of ways to make a knife. None more right and none more wrong. Each maker has their way.

So, this years theme will be a my-way.

I started about 30 new knives this year. I have completed a few of them. I just need to select one for the KITH.

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Going to go with a new pattern. I call it “Jackson”.

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Leaning towards having a bolster, a hamon, probably ironwood scales. We shall see as it moves forward.
 
The knife blank was already shaped. Also had my maker mark stamped in the right side ricasso. So, time to grind.

I am a big fan of my Bruce Bump file guide. I free hand grind using the file guide to assist in keeping the grind lines even at the plunge line. I grind edge up using a KMG grinder.

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Like many of you, I start with a steep angle to the marked edge lines. I am also a big fan of blue dykem layout fluid. It helps these old eyes to focus and see the grind line climb the face of the knife blank. Just take my time and try to keep each side to climb evenly.

The start of the grind.

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A close up.

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Now I just move the grind line up the face of the knife blank.
 
Grind going up. This is where the blue dykem helps me follow along. I see the little things a bit better.

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I try to keep the grind line even on both sides. Also even across the face of the blank. As symmetrical as possible. If the grind goes wonky - slow down and fix it.

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At the tip you should begin seeing a bit of taper. Try to keep it as even and symmetrical as possible. I struggle here.

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Just keep working the grind line up the face of the blank.
 
I use a full height grind on most of my knives.

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A close up.

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At this point you should have a very nice taper from tip to butt.

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And on the edge it should be consistent from tip to butt.

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I have used 36 grit to this point. I will define it a bit with 60 grit, 120 grit, etc.
 
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I have the blade to 120 grit. From here on out it is hand sanded and detail work with a dremel.

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Close up.

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On most knives I use a sharpening notch. I use a file and just follow the filing guide. Placement is just right and follows the plunge line. I do not take the filing guide off of the blank until the notch is cut.

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It takes me about 20-30 minutes to rough grind a knife. It takes longer if you have to stop and take pictures, post them, and do laundry.

Here is a trick, that I cannot shake. My family is a Disney movie fan. This is Dori from Finding Nemo. If you have watched the movie, you know she is a bit scattered brained. One of her lines from the movie is “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming…”. It helps her focus.

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For whatever reason, I changed it to “Just keep grinding, just keep grinding, just keep grinding…”. Unfortunately, that pops into my head every time I grind. I cannot shake it.

Bonus Question: Who is the voice for Dori??
 
On to hand sanding. This is a tool that a buddy made for me. I use it to hold the knife blank as I hand sand.

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I took an hour or so to get through 80, 120, 180, 240, 320, 400 grit. Pretty much ready for heat treating.

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Close up.

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Flip side.

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It will be a while before I find some garage time to move this project forward.
 
Dennis Morland said:
It takes me about 20-30 minutes to rough grind a knife. It takes longer if you have to stop and take pictures, post them, and do laundry.

Here is a trick, that I cannot shake. My family is a Disney movie fan. This is Dori from Finding Nemo. If you have watched the movie, you know she is a bit scattered brained. One of her lines from the movie is “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming…”. It helps her focus.

F523196-D-D731-4676-8264-53979-AC9-DE2-C.jpg


For whatever reason, I changed it to “Just keep grinding, just keep grinding, just keep grinding…”. Unfortunately, that pops into my head every time I grind. I cannot shake it.

Bonus Question: Who is the voice for Dori??
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Ellen Degeneres.

Cute movie.
 
Dennis Morland said:
That is funny!!
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Not really. Her husband was critically injured in what looks like an assassination attempt on her life. She's the Speaker of the House of the U.S. Congress. People who think this sort of thing is funny are enabling a culture of violence and lawlessness. As Americans, we should do better.
 
Mister Coffee said:
Not really. Her husband was critically injured in what looks like an assassination attempt on her life. She's the Speaker of the House of the U.S. Congress. People who think this sort of thing is funny are enabling a culture of violence and lawlessness. As Americans, we should do better.
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I think you're jumping the gun here. How about we leave politics out of here?

The ONLY thing that can be inferred from Dennis' statement is that it would be funny if the cartoon fish was voiced by Nancy Pelosi.

Nothing out of line about that. You're putting WAY more into it than what was said.

Now I'll bow out (if there's more to say on the topic, PM me) and not further derail Dennis' nice WIP thread and it would be nice if everyone could follow suit.

Sorry Dennis. Looking forward to the rest of your pics.
 
Mister Coffee said:
Not really. Her husband was critically injured in what looks like an assassination attempt on her life. She's the Speaker of the House of the U.S. Congress. People who think this sort of thing is funny are enabling a culture of violence and lawlessness. As Americans, we should do better.
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Mister C.

I have been a member on KD for around 10 years. I have attempted to avoid conflicts on this open forum all those years. I appreciate the opportunities that Bossdog has created and I intend to continue to follow the forum rules. I cannot remember ever having a problem with any other member.

As John Doyle pointed out, you have completely misconstrued my response. At no time was Paul Pelosi ever mentioned. I was not inferring, or discussing anything even close close to your accusation.

It is unfortunate that you chose to bring politics into a knife build thread. I do not believe that I have ever enabled a culture of violence or lawlessness. I do not appreciate the accusation.

It is my position that you owe me an apology. Probably one to the members of this forum, also. Please remember that political posts are forbidden on Knife Dogs. Please guide yourself accordingly in the future.

As John Doyle also mentioned, I will now bow out and not discuss it with you any further.
 
Dennis Morland said:
Mister C.

I have been a member on KD for around 10 years. I have attempted to avoid conflicts on this open forum all those years. I appreciate the opportunities that Bossdog has created and I intend to continue to follow the forum rules. I cannot remember ever having a problem with any other member.

As John Doyle pointed out, you have completely misconstrued my response. At no time was Paul Pelosi ever mentioned. I was not inferring, or discussing anything even close close to your accusation.

It is unfortunate that you chose to bring politics into a knife build thread. I do not believe that I have ever enabled a culture of violence or lawlessness. I do not appreciate the accusation.

It is my position that you owe me an apology. Probably one to the members of this forum, also. Please remember that political posts are forbidden on Knife Dogs. Please guide yourself accordingly in the future.

As John Doyle also mentioned, I will now bow out and not discuss it with you any further.
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Well said.
Nice WIP Dennis. What is the thickness of your steel and what type, 1084?
 
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