Grinding A Clip Point Tips Please

Hey all,

So I am onto knife number 3, and I am officially addicted!

The initial grinding on this one went sooo much smoother. The plunge line isn't perfect but it is way cleaner than my previous efforts. This design (jacked from Mr. Comeau's blog again) however has what I believe is called a clip point, and the idea of grinding it is giving me fits! Am I overthinking it?

 

Bob,

You've got the right idea with the felt pen. The clip is like someone came along and cut off part of the tip. It's generally a straight line to the point or slightly concave on some Bowies.
It's the false edge (swedge?) that takes patience. Once the clip line looks right, I use the contact wheel and hold the blade at about 45° (off of perpendicular to the belt) and go very slowly with a 60 grit doing left and right and checking every pass. Once the false edge is even, I'll do a few 120 grit passes and so on until I am happy with the finish.
Just like where the ricasso meets the cutting edge, the two sides of the false edge need to match near perfect as the eye will be drawn to this and its symmetry.

You can also take some off with the grinder and finish it with a file if you are concerned. Or you can grab a piece of mild steel and practice. I think you'd get the hang of it pretty quick.

It's great that you are challenging yourself.

Dan

 

I sometimes will draw file the clip in if I just can't get it right. Draw filing has gotten me out of a bind before

 

Thanks Dancom! So trying to picture this in my head, with this knife design am I just trying to essentially bevel a second top edge (unsharpened) over the entire area I marked off, leaving the final edge virtually where it is now? Or am I trying to actually "clip" most of that metal out of there leaving a small amount of bevelled material and an unsharpened top edge/point area?

Googling images I see all sorts of different things leaving be a bit confused. I guess I am trying to do this how you intended with the original template...

 

Yes. Make a false edge by making a bevel in the area you have shaded with the felt pen. It's I guess technically a drop point with a false edge, but should be cool none the less.

 

How thin would be typical to leave on the top edge? Do you leave a little meat or should I grind it to an actual edge and just not sharpen it?

 

I'd take it to 1/16" or so for esthetics.

 

Sweet... I appreciate the help sir!

 

So the one side worked out pretty well, but the other side I pooched a bit, but I am thinking I can still work it a bit better...

 

That's not bad for the complex geometry involved. You can even them up with a careful filing in a steady vise.