KITH for Austin Thrasher

[Nick Schreiber]

Hey everyone! I think I’ve finally decided on a design for my KITH knife. This is my interpretation of a BBQ knife. I have made a few of these now and have been really happy with how they turn out. Every one I’ve made has turned out better than the last. It will be made from 80CRV2 and likely G10 for the scales. Austin if you have any suggestions for scale color I’m happy to oblige the best I can! Let me know your thoughts!

 

[Chris Railey]

That is a cool shape.

 

[Greg Rice]

Looks great

 

[MTBob]

That looks like a chopping machine that will intimidate any rack of ribs. Can't wait to see the final product.

 

[Dennis Morland]

That is going to be a useful tool.

 

[Nick Schreiber]

I got the blank finished this afternoon. Next I’ll drill the holes in the tang then start grinding in bevels!

 

[Nick Schreiber]

It’s been a bit since I’ve been able to work on my KITH for Austin. I was able to get it heat treated and the bevels ground. I started hand sanding and plan to really taking my time to get all of the scratches sanded out so it has a nice finish. I ground the bevels and the flats to 120 then started hand sanding at 120. I surface ground using a 120 belt as well so the flats are really turning out good. I don’t know if I just need to keep at it but I feel like I’m never going to get the scratches out of the bevels. Tips? Suggestions? Questions? Comments? I attached a pic of each side. One set prior to surface grinding / hand sanding and one set in the middle of my progression. I plan to work my way up to 400.

 

[Bruce McLeish]

I use a metal backer as a guide. Wrap it with a 1 inch wide piece of wet/dry sandpaper. I start with 120 grit. I use windex as a lube. Go lengthwise on the blade to start. Sand till all the scratches are going that way, then change direction 120* and sand until all those scratches are the same, Then change grit and repeat. All you really are doing is removing the previous scratches. As you go up in grit it does get easier.

 

[Nick Schreiber]

I have one of Ed Caffreys sanding sticks and I use windex for lubricant. I’ll just keep at it. I’m sure it will get there.

 

[Kev]

My best advice would be to spend more time at the grinder. I will finish grind most of my knives down to at least 600, sometimes 1000 grit. Before switching grits make certain all the previous scratches are gone. Sometimes I’ll color the blade with a sharpie. Dee scratches show up right away, when you switch. If I take my time on the grinder hand sanding takes 10-15 minutes tops.

 

[Nick Schreiber]

My best advice would be to spend more time at the grinder. I will finish grind most of my knives down to at least 600, sometimes 1000 grit. Before switching grits make certain all the previous scratches are gone. Sometimes I’ll color the blade with a sharpie. Dee scratches show up right away, when you switch. If I take my time on the grinder hand sanding takes 10-15 minutes tops.

Ive tried going up to 220/400/600 bit I get quite a bit of chatter when I do. I have a nice grind through 120 and the second I go to the 220 it gets messed up. I don’t know what to do to eliminate the chatter so I’ve stopped using those belts for anything but handles. Any suggestions for that?

 

[Heikki]

Ive tried going up to 220/400/600 bit I get quite a bit of chatter when I do. I have a nice grind through 120 and the second I go to the 220 it gets messed up. I don’t know what to do to eliminate the chatter so I’ve stopped using those belts for anything but handles. Any suggestions for that?

You might try the Trizac structured abrasive belts. They seem to have much less belt bump. I find mine seem to last a lot longer too.

 

[Sean Jones]

Ive tried going up to 220/400/600 bit I get quite a bit of chatter when I do. I have a nice grind through 120 and the second I go to the 220 it gets messed up. I don’t know what to do to eliminate the chatter so I’ve stopped using those belts for anything but handles. Any suggestions for that?

You should be able to go up as high as needed on the belt grinder. I go up to 800 grit regularly on mine without any chatter. Can you post a pic of your setup? That might help see what's going on.

 

[Mark Barone]

Is your platen flat? I only use a 2 x 42 but added a ceramic glass platen. Maybe it is, just a thought.

 

[J. Doyle]

What is your platen made of?

Chatter can be caused by too much or too little pressure OR uneven pressure (too much pressure on the blade or handle not directly against the platen) in relation to the speed of the belt.

 

[Austin Thrasher]

Awesome! Super stoked to see this one! Sorry that I didn’t see this sooner.

 

[Gene Kimmi]

If the chatter is actually belt bump, take something and knock the abrasive off the belt seam. I use a diamond wheel dresser to do it. It makes a big difference for me.

Amazon.com: Taytools 467061 Diamond Grinding Wheel Cleaner/Dresser 36 Grit for 6 or 8 Inch Grinder Wheels : Tools & Home Improvement

Amazon.com: Taytools 467061 Diamond Grinding Wheel Cleaner/Dresser 36 Grit for 6 or 8 Inch Grinder Wheels : Tools & Home Improvement

smile.amazon.com

 

[Nick Schreiber]

You might try the Trizac structured abrasive belts. They seem to have much less belt bump. I find mine seem to last a lot longer too.

I’m I’ve been meaning to buy a couple of these but have yet to do it. I have to different grits of scotchbrite belts that I also use. I believe they are fine and very fine. They do really well but they don’t get everything out from the previous grit. I typically go from my 120 ceramic to the fine scotchbrite. I can get everything out of the flats by surface grinding but the bevels are where I struggle.

 

[MTBob]

Believe me, I'm no expert knife grinder. But, when I've gotten to much bump with fine grits on a bevel grind, i add a leather back platen attachment.

 

[Nick Schreiber]

I’m using an OBM 2x72 grinder. I had the stock platen that I used for a while but I recently swapped it out for a KMG platen. The KMG offers substantially more room to get around the sides of the platen and the backer itself is thicker and heavier. Here are a couple pics of my set up.