Jason King

First pic is previous thickness of Post HT edge thicknesses, second is where I finally got down to a comfortable and manageable thickness from before...

Yep, Robert D. I do have that, and have dressed the belts a few times, but will stay diligent, sounds like a "Win-Win"... I've misplaced my harbor freight "Belt Cleaner/Dresser" huge tan eraser, that would really help keep my belts a lot sharper and cleaner...I took all shared advice and re-attacked the bevel flats and edges, with more of a confident and relaxed, understanding and respect of this process, and the knowledge of the risks involved with the different substrates... Im afraid that this whole issue of anxiety, that I developed, could have all been avoided or limited, if I had ground the pretreatment bevel-edges, a substantial amount thinner than I had previously believed was ok... Just ended up giving myself a hell of a lot more time and work, grinding on hardened steel... embarrassingly obvious now, but am glad I felt comfortable to ask, I gained a lot from this simple little problem.

All valuable info, thank you all... And I mistakenly put the wrong thickness measurement before... They're closer to 3/32" thickness at the choil... I really need to do more homework on all the different varieties of belts, I have only heard if a couple of what's been mentioned... An then comes the platten, when I looked, I had such a gap behind the wheel depth, that I just used right out if the box, and just positioned it slightly forward of wheels and will hopefully have time today to try it out... Ty again y'all.

What tremendous, and well appreciated help you have been on this matter, Alan. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with all that are eager to listen and learn, myself included... I have always tried to take the more challenging path in life, I guess cause I'll be forced to learn, which is up there in the top 3, for me, of the best things about life. Even though I rarely panhandle for free wisdom, there are days, when you just get stumped... It's refreshing and humbling to finally peruse this forum of such gifted artists and feel comfortable at being clueless about so much of this craft... I tattooed professionally for 30+ years until 3 years ago with rapidly declining vision, and hip replacement... (2or3 scars, stacked on top of one another, right in the middle of my left cornia, was the explination from the doc... Grinding, welding sparks, smoking cigarettes while riding my bike are the prime suspects... But I have to keep my hands busy, or die... Now I tell people that "I make knives, so that I don't stab you all in the face!" Cheers

Ty for replying Alan... I started with an order from Combat Abrasives with 2-4each of some ceramics ,(36,60,80,120 in their orange "Shredder" series and some 220, and 320 of a light ceramic) then a whole gambit of AO grits and stiffness up to 600... Ive got a 2hp motor 120v(1.5hp I believe it is, yes) with a VFD that I jumped up to 120hrz from 60hertz... And running on a fragile electricity phase due to construction, so I trip breakers if I get er going passed 60-70% power.. but I'll try to get my edges tighter, was skiddish about warping or burnup, but they are almost 3/16 at the choil , any other thoughts from this info?... Also, is it common to have some bad belts that give the "Speed bump" effect from joining seem? Or did I choose a not so great consumables company?!? Thanks again

I'm a self learning knife maker for just over 2 years and finally invested heavily in a proper, yet essential, well made tool, a ($2k) 2"x72" belt Grinder and a vast variety of substrates, grits, and designs of belts... Yada yada yada, in my first 2 years and dozens of knives to learn from, I had unfortunately, and thorougly abused and destroyed a few 1" x 30" harbor freight Belt "Sanders", I relied more on a tiny but powerful 1/2" x 18" Band File Belt Sander for my bevels and small curved finishing...Now comes the brand new machine..... But I have "Blued-Out", or Burned, almost every post treatment blade since I've been using the new grinder... I have a couple nice pieces just finished tempering and started handles for, but am intimidated and afraid to ruin these as well...I'm a very quick study and slowed speeds, tried finer grits, less pressure, and am getting pretty messy with constant bucket dipping, seems I've tried everything aside from a circulated, cold water trickle, belt feeder... Am I leaving the edges too thick before treatment? Does this make any sense?? Maybe some cool physics trick I am humbled to learn?!? WIP in these photos, obviously... Thanks in advance, friends

The explanation is easier than you think.. my friend who commissioned the 2 knives, like me in the past, is an actor at 5 or 6 Renaissance Faires during the year, most of the time he's in pirate form, but him and his peers are always looking for some "rough around the corners" type of different garb and accessories.. I posted a completely new and final piece probably right before this one.. Hey, Garry Keown, thanks for chiming in on this, I do like to learn, and it takes folk like yourself to help with your honesty. Cheers

Final updated sheath, I've only tried tooling a couple dog collars previously, and trying to shape/wet mold the blades as well was a bit of a challenge, but I am pleased with where this project has taken me. My friend, an actor in many Renaissance Faires, who commissioned this, is happy as well..I believe I see a few more of these in my near future..m I know I still have so much to learn, but I enjoy that part more than most..

I totally agree on that, Garry. I became excited and cut those slots with so little leather purchase, and tried it on before doubling it up from the back, and one side stretched to almost breaking... There is almost everything in the leatherwork that is poorly executed and I've made the"it's just a prototype" excuse, but it was... I need to work on more consistent, patience and discipline in all things.. and billyO, there is an empty void where the right blade slides on top of the left.. that's where it makes this the second prototype I tried the first one with two individual mirrored sheathes, that had that a few will play snaps the combined it into the one but it was pretty bulky. And thats where I'm hungry for wisdom. Oh, and sitting in a chair and lazing back in one as well we're the most comfortable... Two minutes forgot I was wearing them.. I am thin, so leaning back in a sofa or chair creates a void space as well in the lower triangle/sacrum(so?) of where they fit comfortably in.

I'm a novice knife maker and made this for a friend this week and could not for the life of me, find another similar type of sheath to learn from.. it sits well in the middle lower back, and hides under light jackets.. I was hoping for some more experienced honest critiques on design (not as much the leatherwork, was just a quick prototype) and thought y'all might know of a pic or two hidden somewhere you could share of one someone has made... I just can't believe I would be the first to have tried.. cheers

Or is there a better forum section to post this type of topic?!?

I'm a novice knife maker and made this for a friend this week and could not for the life of me, find another similar type of sheath to learn from.. it sits well in the middle lower back, and hides under light jackets.. I was hoping for some more experienced honest critiques on design and thought y'all might know of a pic or two hidden somewhere you could share of one someone has made... I just can't believe I would be the first to have tried.. cheers