Making a Marking Knife #2: Filing a Bevel onto a Knife Blade (Aargh!)

Eric,

Would it be possible to create a jig to hold the blade material in position as you form it? Having the blade in a consistent position may help you form equal bevels. Maybe something like a shooting board- using a file instead of a plane?

Lew

Hey Lew, thanks for the comment. I have been wondering what kind of jig would work. I suppose I could chisel out a small (and shallow) trench, in which the blade would lie. Then what? Maybe cut out a wedge that has a 25-degree (or so) angle, and run the file down that wedge to contact the blade?

There’s also the matter of controlling how high up the blade I let the file travel. Anyway, I appreciate your thoughts, getting my brain going here…

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Eric,

Here is something:

Sorry, I tried to turn it but it didn’t work.

Lew

Hey Eric,

All the marking knives I have or have seen are beveled only on one side so the line runs right against the straight edge.

That might make it easier on you too.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Lew – thanks, that is helpful!

Scott – so is mine. But I have two bevels in that they form a spear point, rather than being a single-beveled blade that looks like a skew chisel. Maybe I didn’t communicate it very clearly. It’s got me all frazzled!

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Hey Eric,
How’s it going out there in the middle of the Pacific?

Why not take the knife to the file instead of the other way around? Scribe a line down the center of the “blade and when you start to get close to the shape you want put the file in a vise. Chop off a guide block at the angle you want for your bevel, hold that tight to the blade and apply that assembly to the file. One pass on one side, flip, one pass on the other side, etc., and sneak up on the center line. Should be a simple matter to adjust passes/sides to stay in the middle and still keep the bevel that you want.

Yours in fighting rust,
gc

Yo GC!

Hmm…ideas, ideas… I love it! Looks like, no matter what, I need to take the time to make a jig – at least, if I want it to be decent!

(Oh, and I think I’m going to use that “ruined” first blade to make a Japanese-style marking gauge.)

-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com

Well, by jig I just meant a scrap block of wood with a miter on one end . . .woot!

Eric, Pl see if following information may be useful in general for making knives. You can get more information from the references at the bottom
Sharad

Knife Sharpening Jig
by Dick Baugh
(April 26, 2005) Knives cut best when they are sharp. Once you have used a sharp knife you will never want to waste your time with a dull one. When sharpening a knife, it is important to keep the angle correct. This is easier to do after sharpening hundreds of knives than it was the very first time, but it still takes skill and careful attention. Keeping the angle constant can be reduced to a no-brainer by employing a sharpening jig. This jig attaches to the knife blade and insures the proper sharpening angle. You can make your own or buy one from various companies. Razor Edge Systems makes several nice ones. Here is a simple sharpening jig that is easy to make. For improved gripping of the knife blade you can cover the inside surfaces of the jaws with 280 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper. Attach the sandpaper with contact cement or other waterproof adhesive.
E-mail your comments to “Richard A. Baugh” at oldfellah37@msn.com

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