Attempting Stock Removal

[rockhound]

Thank you gang, I will opt for the Cryo on this one.
... and thanks for the kind words guys! I'm humbled to receive the help and inspiration from you folks, it really means a lot. This site has been my primary resource. Getting the basics down on this build has been (and continues to be) a great learning experience and fun challenge. It's still not too late for me to mess this one up though! I know nothing about creating the secondary bevel yet but will tackle that after HT. I'm comfortable with the handle process now since I've recently done a few knives from blanks and a DDR-3 kit. Once I get that secondary bevel done, I should be out of the woods with this one (emphasis on "should").
It'll be a while before I can get my paws on a nice belt grinder... they ain't cheap! So.... until then I'm stuck with hand files, belt sander, and bench grinder. I'm ok with that for now and will slowly purchase equip as I can afford it.

[Ray Rogers]

In the interest of safety I'll state what should already be obvious - the secondary bevel (otherwise known as the edge) - will be the last major work you do on the knife. The handle will be finished, all finish work on the blade completed, the knife is completely a done deal lacking only a sharp edge - then you put on the secondary bevel. We do not work on sharp knives.....

[rockhound]

Thanks Ray, that actually was not obvious to me since I've only worked on knife blank builds up to this point and they have all been pre-sharpened. I've always duct-taped the cutting edge and point until completion. I will do my secondary bevel/cutting edge as my last step for sure on this one!
Here are my last pics for a couple of weeks since Texas Knife performs HT once a week and I'll miss out on this week's batch.



Here's my cutting edge which is the thickness of a dime now

[Ray Rogers]

Not much choice when working on a kit knife. But, with a kit knife the blade is already finished so you aren't expected to be doing any sanding or buffing on it. In any case, we have a choice when making our own blades and smart people (smart people: those who make it to old age without being sliced, stabbed, or killed by the knife they are currently building) choose to make sharpening the last step ....

[rockhound]

yay... back from HT. Now I can get back to work on it.

[rockhound]

quick update... almost to the fit and finish stages

Beginning with #220 and working my way down to #1500 I'm now wet-sanding the heat treated profile. I'm changing directions every time that I switch grits. So far, so good. All surfaces feel nice and flat... no significant file or sanding scars that can't be sanded out. Pics might be a little grainy now, I broke my DSLR and am taking pics with the RAZR which doesn't have a tripod mount.

[Crex]

Looking pretty good Chris. Have fun sanding (hope you don't have arthritic hands).

[rockhound]

I'm like a robot.
The one from Westworld.

[rockhound]

Question:
Everything is finished except for secondary bevel... or cutting edge.
Blade edge is flat now and 1mm wide at cutting edge.
I'm still doing everything by hand and enjoying the process. When I search the terms 'secondary bevel' or 'cutting edge bevel' here I get a LOT of posts to sift through. Most topics and posted information relates to "grinding a bevel" with a 2X72 or other similar machines. I don't have that option for this knife... maybe in the future on other knives.
So....
What is the best way given my scenario?
Should I draw-file my cutting edge, then refine with my sharpening stones.... or take it to my sharpening stones to do it all?
(I have a Smith Tri-Stone system)
Thanks!

[Ray Rogers]

Any way you can is the short answer. It will be very, very slow if you try to use sharpening stones for the entire process unless you have a very aggressive stone. But, if you don't have a belt sander stones, files, or sandpaper may be your only choices....

[rockhound]

Ok.... so you recommend draw-filing, then stone and/or sandpaper for a shoestring noober like me? I'm assuming so and I don't mind the labor, actually enjoy it.
I'm not in a hurry. "Slow" is not a concern to me but I would like a quality edge. Any tips on draw-filing a secondary bevel would be appreciated.
So far what I've read-up on this.... it is advised to start draw-filing at a 45 degree angle until hitting the center-line on the cutting edge. Once I hit that line, I should back off the file angle and continue to desired bevel. Then stones I reckon.
This is all I know so far, I'll continue to search until I have a clearer picture. Would suck to screw up at this final stage.
Thanks.

[Ray Rogers]

Sounds like a workable plan to me...

[rockhound]

Ray,
Thank you again, I will go with that plan. Mighty busy ranch-handing right now prepping for winter here. I'm gonna need to find some time to do it but am anxious to wrap this one up.

[Crex]

What Ray said....file then stones. You got a workable plan so work the plan. It will go faster than you think.

[Jay-Z]

Originally Posted by DaveL

You are really doing a good job. Think I will throw those Burr Kings away...

And what night is your garbage night (just curios....)