Hi guys ! I'm kinda new to knife making and I only got a cheap 4x36 grinder that isn't really suitable for knife making as it's not powerful enough! So I'm looking for a 2 x ?? grinder that wouldn't cost me thousands of $ and that would have a sturdy plate to work on. Anyone has some suggestions? I've been looking around but I can't seem to find some good deals that would fit my needs. Thanks, Max
Easiest and cheapest way is to build one, it would cost you about $650 and you can build it over time so it not a lump sum cost. If you are looking for purchase only I believe the cheapest are PHEER GRINDERS out of BC, but others may have some more suggestions.
I am looking at these grinders. http://www.suremak.com/grinder.html Cost is 600 without a motor. I hope to purchase one in the next 2 weeks so I will let everyone know how it turns out.
When I was starting out, I considered the DIY route, but decided it was worth paying the price to get up and running quickly. After looking at a number of different ones, I ended up buying a Bee Grinder. They come in various configurations. You can check them out at knifemaker.ca.
pheer grinders are out of the states no? I have a pheer grinder. It is good. I am thinking I need to build my second one so I can have a horizontal one.
If you're really really new to knifemaking, I suggest a good first investment in some large, nice files, the longer the better in my opinion. And for the money, the the belt grinder at lee valley tools is pretty good. A friend of mine does a really good roughing job on blades with an angle grinder, but I think you run the risk of it throwing a smaller blade. Another buddy of mine got the Coote grinder, which is quite nice. I hear 2-wheel grinders have more of the vibration issue people call "fishing rod tip". I picked up the Pheer Grinder at Christmas and really like it. Jose has really changed the design of his grinders since then, and I like the look of the new one because it solves a couple issues. I don't know this guy, but found this site also: http://dendany.tripod.com/grinder.htm
I agree with Splash. I made my five knives with two big Nicholson files, a bench grinder and hacksaw. Can't go wrong with good files, you'll always find a use for them. Once you get bitten hard, you'll find a way to get a belt grinder. Unfortunately, that tripod page hasn't been updated since 1999. Nice looking grinder at the top there though. Dan
I got in contact with the guy in my post above but he never replied to my request for a quote. I have resigned myself to building it myself. It is a real shame that the Canadian partner of wilmont grinders hasn't made more of an effort to make them available to Canadians.
Tony, Did you look at the Grinder in a Box from Polar Bear Forge? It's very close to a Wilmont EEFR (http://www.wilmontgrinders.com/Pages/EERFGrinder.aspx) in design and he ships to Canada for a reasonable rate. You'd have to rummage up a motor for it, but worth looking at. http://www.polarbearforge.com/grinder_kit.html Dan
The polar bear forge grinder looks like a decent option. Personally the whole issue of still having to drill and tap it all kills every scrap of interest I had in it though. I would gladly pay double if it ready to bolt together when it was unpacked.
I'm skeptical of the Wilmont crew. So far the only one that I've heard of being delivered was to Kevin Cox in Quebec who now is shilling hard for Terry's grinder. The price is over the top, as vague reports have indicated it is over $3500 and with nothing but Cox going on and on about the grinder and how great it is I feel my spidey senses tingling. If they really were the greatest thing since sliced bread Terry would be selling them in droves. Instead there is nothing but crickets.
