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Crowned Blade Question

hookedonbenchmade

June 11, 2017 02:39

Hello all,

I'm wondering if anyone has input on how to DIY a crowned blade spine. I really like the look of some of these blades in pics that you've posted, most of them on factory-done models.

I'm curious if this is something I could do myself at home, and what tools and considerations are involved.

Thanks!

Comments

18 comments

martymcfly

June 11, 2017 03:07
Calling
Keyman
...
Time for a Forum lesson in blade crowning, please.
0
po

June 11, 2017 19:34
I start with a grinding wheel on a Dremel. Try to get 90% of what you want with that. Then I take some about 220 grit paper, and do a shoeshine motion over the spine to smooth it over. You could then do a 400 grit satin finish down the spine if you want a really high level finish. It's pretty easily done, actually. Likely want to take the thumb studs off.
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po

June 11, 2017 19:39
It is pretty easily done actually. Take the thumb studs off, if applicable. I start with a grinding wheel on a Dremel to get 90% of the shape I'm going for. Be very careful not to let the grinding wheel slip down onto the blade flat. The result will be an ugly and permanent gouge. Next, take some 220 grit or so paper to smooth it. I use shooshine motion across the spine. Finally, you can do a 400 grit satin finish down the spine, if you want a high quality finish.

If you have a slack belt grinder, even easier.
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martymcfly

June 11, 2017 19:45
Thanks Keyman!
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keyman

June 11, 2017 23:19
quote:

Originally posted by Marty McFly:
Thanks Keyman!

I have a similar procedure to Po, however I don't use the Dremel at all.
I start with the belt sander and get 80-90% of my shape using this machine.
I do not own a slack belt grinder, boy I wish I did.
I could do a lot of things with a slack belt grinder.
From there I move on to a combination of my drum sander, hand sanding and then finally to the buffing wheel.
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martymcfly

June 11, 2017 23:39
This has always interested me...
I guess I could give it a go on some beater knives knives to try it out... but I have a bad feeling that I'll mess up and wreck a nice blade. I'm all for trying to be crafty, but I think I might leave the blade crowning to the professionals. But thanks for the knowledge lesson. I love a crowned spine.
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hookedonbenchmade

June 12, 2017 03:12
Wow, thanks everyone..Po's method will be more accessible to me, since I don't have any specialized tools for metalwork; a Dremmel tool I can figure out.

The other problem what knife to start with..my griptilian is my only "beater" knife, so I guess that's the logical choice..it's a black coated blade though, so it'll end up looking kinda strange. Maybe a good opportunity to experiment with removing the blade coating at the same time? That's something I've always wanted to do..

Anyway, thank you all for the feedback!
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billhammer

June 12, 2017 11:14
/|\ maybe start with an old butter knife? Doesn't have to be a Benchmade you first practice on
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hookedonbenchmade

June 12, 2017 14:48
Jeez, good point Bill! Thanks for the reminder.
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billhammer

June 12, 2017 17:36
quote:

Originally posted by Hooked on Benchmade:
Jeez, good point Bill! Thanks for the reminder.

/|\
welcome
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martymcfly

June 14, 2017 05:23
quote:

Originally posted by Bill Hammer:
/|\ maybe start with an old butter knife? Doesn't have to be a Benchmade you first practice on

Beater knife, butter knife, that's what I was getting at. Haha.
Don't go removing steel from anything nice on your first attempt.
I still feel it takes a special kind of talent to properly crown a blade by hand.
You either have it or you don't.
I feel as if I'm in the latter category.
0
lightning

June 14, 2017 17:00
I watched the guys at the factory crowning blades.

They do it by hand on nice 2"x72" belt grinders.

Take a bare blade, hold the spine of the knife perpendicular to the grinder and rotate down completing one side of the crown, flip the blade over and repeat the above on the opposite side to complete the crown.

Sorry, I cannot recall if they used a slack belt or backed up the belt with a platen.
0
lightning

June 14, 2017 17:02
quote:

Originally posted by Marty McFly:
...

I still feel it takes a special kind of talent to properly crown a blade by hand.

...

Never tried it myself, but one thing I can tell you about this is that the fellows at the factory that crown blades are the G.C. group, each of whom is essentially a custom knife maker in their own right.
0
bmkjason

June 14, 2017 20:27
quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:
I watched the guys at the factory crowning blades.

They do it by hand on nice 2"x72" belt grinders.

Take a bare blade, hold the spine of the knife perpendicular to the grinder and rotate down completing one side of the crown, flip the blade over and repeat the above on the opposite side to complete the crown.

Sorry, I cannot recall if they used a slack belt or backed up the belt with a platen.

Slack belt, for sure.
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martymcfly

June 14, 2017 20:42
Seems like the optimal way, for sure.
I'd still mess it up though..
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hookedonbenchmade

June 15, 2017 01:55
Points well made and taken, gentlemen. I have no illusions about how well or not it may turn out, without the "right" equipment and practice. I'm still itching to try it though..

Now to invest in a dremel tool, and see what happens. I've always wanted one anyway..
0
lightning

June 15, 2017 13:45
quote:

Originally posted by BMK Jason:

quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:
I watched the guys at the factory crowning blades.

They do it by hand on nice 2"x72" belt grinders.

Take a bare blade, hold the spine of the knife perpendicular to the grinder and rotate down completing one side of the crown, flip the blade over and repeat the above on the opposite side to complete the crown.

Sorry, I cannot recall if they used a slack belt or backed up the belt with a platen.

Slack belt, for sure.

I thought probably, but couldn't remember for sure.

Thanks for clarifying that kind sir
0
bmkjason

June 15, 2017 14:14
quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:

quote:

Originally posted by BMK Jason:

quote:

Originally posted by Lightning:
I watched the guys at the factory crowning blades.

They do it by hand on nice 2"x72" belt grinders.

Take a bare blade, hold the spine of the knife perpendicular to the grinder and rotate down completing one side of the crown, flip the blade over and repeat the above on the opposite side to complete the crown.

Sorry, I cannot recall if they used a slack belt or backed up the belt with a platen.

Slack belt, for sure.

I thought probably, but couldn't remember for sure.

Thanks for clarifying that kind sir

Of course!
0