How to Make a Jig for Knife Grinding


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Many different types of jigs can be used to grind knives. The most popular are pressure jigs, which track perpendicular to the grinder’s belt.

These jigs allow the blade smith to hold the blade in place as they grind it. This gives the blade smith total control of their work.

1. Adjustable Spring Door Hinges

Spring hinges are a great way to help close your door automatically. But they can also loosen or tighten if you don’t adjust them.

If your self-closing hinges have a locking screw that protects the spring, you’ll need to remove it and reinstall it after adjusting the hinges. If your hinges have no locking screws, then you can just use a hex wrench to adjust the hinges.

I usually attach hinges at 150mm from the top and 250mm from the bottom. This keeps them neater and also reduces the chance of them rubbing against each other because of foreshortening.

2. Fully Threaded Bolt

If you want to grind a knife, you may need a jig that allows you to do so safely and efficiently. While you can find a variety of jigs online or in specialty hardware stores, you can also make one yourself using a few easy-to-find components.

A fully threaded bolt is a great option for those projects where grip strength is more important than alignment or shear resistance. Unlike partially threaded bolts, fully threaded ones spread the mounting pressure across the entire length of the fastener, delivering a stronger hold.

Partially threaded metric bolts are commonly used in situations where shear and alignment strength are more important than grip strength. Rather than threading the entire bolt, they have a non-threaded area below the head that’s known as the grip length. This area is free of weak points, which helps prevent strain and shear.

3. Two Steel Plates

To build a jig for knife grinding, you need two steel plates. The first plate will serve as the front surface for the blade, and the second will be used to secure the blade to the jig.

The jig is a simple, yet very effective tool for consistent and repeatable results. It allows for both angle grinding and bevel work.

Stock removal:

Unlike forging, stock removal involves the use of saws, belt sanders and abrasives to strip material away from a steel workpiece. It can also be a more economical method than forging, as it doesn’t require heat to reshape the metal.

Stock removal can be done by hand, but a more accurate process is to use a belt grinder. This method allows you to sand the metal down to a uniform thickness and can be a more efficient way to make knives.

4. Steel Block

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knifemaker, a good jig is important for sharpening and maintaining your blades. A grinding jig allows you to grind, bevel, and sharpen your knives safely and efficiently without exposing your hands to injury.

A good jig also allows you to get consistent results. This is especially helpful when you’re making a custom-made blade, as it makes sure that your edges stay true and sharp.

A jig can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. We’ve found that the best option is a thin block of UHWM plastic, because it doesn’t get munged up as easily as a block of wood.

5. Plastic Sheet

One of the most popular methods for knifemakers to profile a blade is by grinding. Most well equipped shops have large industrial belt grinders or a dedicated sharpening machine.

For those who do not have the budget for this, there are several other ways to profile a blank without the use of power equipment. These include hacksaws, files, belt grinders, wheel grinders, oxy-acetylene torches, CNC mills and others.

Many jigs are available for use with belt grinders to make the task of grinding flat bevels easier and more consistent. Most of these jigs secure the blade in a bevel-up position and slide along a 90-degree work table as the blade is ground.

Ken Onion

Ken Onion is an innovative knifemaker whose work has revolutionized the industry. Born in 1963, he hails from Kaneohe, Hawaii, and invented the SpeedSafe assisted opening mechanism for Kershaw Knives - earning him a position as Premier Knife Designer with them.

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