Re: I am going to make a knife for a Gift...
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 5:24 pm
I spent my time on the break between sessions watching a youtube vid on how to pin the bolsters to the blade blank. Had never done it before and didn't have a clue. It was a pretty good instructional video, and I learned the process, but... I was distracted by the fact that the guy had his fingernails and thumbnail painted a bright, BRIGHT, blue. I decided to go with he had a young daughter and she painted daddy's nails. It just jarred the instruction for me. (I have to say, that if it had been a hot young honey doing the lesson, it would have been jarring if SHE had her nails painted a fluorescent iridescent blue.) I was taught that as an instructor, to avoid distracting jewelry, clothing, or habits. But, I digress...
Before starting on the bolsters, I measured and cut the length for the scales... and was VERY careful so I didn't have to redo that part of the process. I wanted it behind me. Once done, I set them aside for now. I can't proceed on the scales until the bolsters are done.
So, I had to get them correctly oriented and marked. I didn't want to ruin the set by shaping the leading edge and discover I had rolled the back side of one or the other, or rolled a trailing edge. Bad enough if you dado an incorrect edge or side of a wood project piece and have to make another, but in this case I'd have to order another set of bolsters. (I have a spare set since I had ordered a spare blade blank as well, but... )
I got started and it was coming along nicely. I wanted a smooth transition to the blade.
If you look at the pair you can easily see the difference. I have moved along a bit on the one, and the other is still square and unpolished.
As you see here, the process is getting very close to ready to mount on the blank. The forward edge portion must be rolled and fitted.
I put on the optivisor and checked, and not quite there. Changed the belt on the sander and got down to the nitty gritty. I wanted the leading edge of the bolster to match the cut in the blade. It finally did. I went up to 400 grit in the polishing. I can polish the bolster with rouge once mounted.
Before starting on the bolsters, I measured and cut the length for the scales... and was VERY careful so I didn't have to redo that part of the process. I wanted it behind me. Once done, I set them aside for now. I can't proceed on the scales until the bolsters are done.
So, I had to get them correctly oriented and marked. I didn't want to ruin the set by shaping the leading edge and discover I had rolled the back side of one or the other, or rolled a trailing edge. Bad enough if you dado an incorrect edge or side of a wood project piece and have to make another, but in this case I'd have to order another set of bolsters. (I have a spare set since I had ordered a spare blade blank as well, but... )
I got started and it was coming along nicely. I wanted a smooth transition to the blade.
If you look at the pair you can easily see the difference. I have moved along a bit on the one, and the other is still square and unpolished.
As you see here, the process is getting very close to ready to mount on the blank. The forward edge portion must be rolled and fitted.
I put on the optivisor and checked, and not quite there. Changed the belt on the sander and got down to the nitty gritty. I wanted the leading edge of the bolster to match the cut in the blade. It finally did. I went up to 400 grit in the polishing. I can polish the bolster with rouge once mounted.