Thread: question on hollow grinding.

After finish my first razor attempt. I have a question to ask.
Is there a preferred method of hollow grinding ie: tool rest & push stick, jig, free hand? I do understand that different thinking work better for different people and there is no one way that works for everyone

During my first attempt I started with a tool rest and push stick, then a couple of adjustments. Then I tossed the tool rest and just when to free handing it. While it turned out better then expected, there are a ton of improvement I could make.
I was wondering if there was a preferred method to get consistent grinds.

With my first attempt, I eyeballed everything. No centerline mark, no nothing.
I drew it out on a piece of still and just started cutting out.
One reason for the eye-balling... I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I started with a a piece that was a little thinner then I wanted (3/8). An since it was my first time attempting anything of this nature and planned on doing everything "in-house", I fully expected it to go down in a flame of glory.. But as it turns out it did atleast come out looking like a razor.

Originally Posted by MileMarker60

I do understand that different thinking work better for different people and there is no one way that works for everyone

You pretty much answered your own question.

Originally Posted by MileMarker60

I was wondering if there was a preferred method to get consistent grinds.

Practice, practice, practice,... It really takes many razors and grinding practice to become proficient. Don't take any shortcuts. Learn from each mistake as hard and frustrating they can be. Sometimes you'll be disappointed, especially when 2 days of work are lost. Just like falling off a bike, make sure to get back right on. Always remember that if you fail, someone else failed too at one point.

Originally Posted by MileMarker60

With my first attempt, I eyeballed everything. No centerline mark, no nothing.

Moving forward I would make a habit of always using witness lines.

Thanks,
I expect the failure part will rear it's head on the next few razors I try.

Before I grind the next ones, I do plan to use a little more precise method then eye-balling..lol

I got a couple on the go at the moment.
I like to try different ideas, cos the centre line can be a bit hard to see sometimes after ht.
Also the symetry of the tang taper can eventually throw things off a little when in scales.

So I'm going to attempt final grinding in some tempory one piece scales with micro fasteners. This gives me an idea which side to remove stock in order to keep things central(ish), I can keep closing the scales to see how the grind is going relative to the tang taper and pin hole.

Regular coarse honing is another thing to do to see where thick bevels arise.

I'm not recommending anyone try this, but I am prepared to attempt it at my own risk.
I believe I have a safe way that this can be done.

i had a couple of attempts at making jigs and gave them away. As each razor i make is different, i could not make a jig that would grind them uniformly. Definitely better when i bought an edge marker for scribing lines to mark where edge will be. What i did find though, was that adding a rest to the grinder helped a lot. i do not place the blade on the rest, but hold it in my fingers with my hands supported on the rest. i do not place a lot of pressure there, but the rest gives me a 'feel' and helps me keep my hands at a consistent place on the grinder. Then i can follow the razor shape, whether straight or smiling, wedge, quarter of hollow, and keep a more consistent grind.
As you said - lots of different ways for people. That's just what i do and it may help you or inspire a thought for your own method.
i have had some failures that can be heart breaking, especially if you use expensive steels. Just keep working at it. If everyone could do it easily then there would be no market and no masters. Mind you - there are some people {hi Max } who appear to get it perfect from day one and we love to hate them.
Best Regards

Originally Posted by Adam G.

i do not place the blade on the rest, but hold it in my fingers with my hands supported on the rest. i do not place a lot of pressure there, but the rest gives me a 'feel' and helps me keep my hands at a consistent place on the grinder. Then i can follow the razor shape, whether straight or smiling, wedge, quarter of hollow, and keep a more consistent grind.

Thank, that sounds like an idea I should try.

i free hand grind but i also use scribed lines

i have messed up a few bladed learnign but not bad(i do still mess up now and then too )

99% of my grinding is done with the edge up or first into the direction of the belt
i finish witht he edge down to blend and lightly thinthe edge

Originally Posted by L R Harner

i free hand grind but i also use scribed lines

i have messed up a few bladed learnign but not bad(i do still mess up now and then too )

99% of my grinding is done with the edge up or first into the direction of the belt
i finish witht he edge down to blend and lightly thinthe edge

Thanks,
I'll try the finishing "down" as well.
Here a pic of the grind head on. As you can see, there is improvement to be had

EDIT: add a couple more pic.

I think what Max said has a lot of truth to it, repetition is the key to grinding. You are off to a damn good start. I learn a little bit each time I grind.

I tend to start grinding with a rest then finish without one. Like Butch said I do most of the work edge up. I will go edge down and move the blade diagonally across the wheel to blend in and smooth areas.

Charlie