The BEST Knife Making Tool? Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Grinding Jigs!

The grinding jig is a tool used to grind knife bevels. In this video, knife maker Walter Sorrells discusses grinding jigs, what they are, what they're for, how they're made and how they're used.
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Twitter: @WalterSorrells
Facebook: / waltersorrellsblades
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[@RedBeardOps]

Jigs helped get me going. I now use them for about 80% of my material removal. I enjoy finishing up my lines and plunges free hand! It hasn't always been like that though, took practice for sure.

[@haden2846]

Thanks Walter for another superb explanation and instruction.

[@stevemackelprang8472]

always lots of value in your videos, thank you!

[@webneko9842]

This was a really helpful video as a new knife maker. Thank you. I plan to get a few pieces of welding steel to practice. This video helped with confidence and ideas. I love your videos to learn.

[@charisjapan]

ありがとう、ワルターさん！(Thanks, Walter!) Just finished grinding a pair of SS knives, and sent them off for heat treatment. Your previous vids helped me with those, and this vid will certainly help with a few knives I am planning. Always appreciate your ideas that include how to get by with minimum skill and investment, but encouraging how to improve skill and invest wisely.

[@socketman]

Great content, thank you very much

[@RobanyBigjobz]

Perfect timing Walter, I was just looking into jigs for me as a beginner.

[@aleksandarkomnenovic1356]

I have 3 jigs but use none... Learn how to do it free hand its much beter 😁

[@rangermadeknives]

Always great content!!

[@randallsummers6551]

Good information. Thanks.

[@PedroCavalcanteNE]

Mr. Walter very nice video! Thx sir!

[@Stillpoint23]

I think the most important point in this video for us beginners is to start with some cheap mild steel, make a few pretend blades first to spend the learning curve coins on cheap metal before going all in. Off to home depot again, thanks Walter, you basically verified my own recent thoughts regardi on this

[@jamessnodgrass7055]

As always Walter I got something from this, I've yet to use a gig but have considered making one to cut in verticals on ladder Damascus. Have a good James

[@tristanbarnett6271]

Hey Walter I've been watching your videos for a very long time I was wondering if you could do a video of your opinions on making a knife out of an old rusted file I would like you to not only make the knife in the video but explain your opinions on the knife and how good it functions

[@gustafson74may]

Completely nothing to do with this project, I just watched you on Forged in Fire. I was totally rooting for you. I was devistated when your knife let's just say broke down. Still, I respect what you do and wish I could do half of what your able to do with your knives. Hats off to you.

[@elund408]

a good place to get angle iron for jigs etc it buy bed frames at garage sales and second hand stores. made of good steel and available in almost any town.

[@16valvehate]

That helped a lot.

[@evaderknives]

I think a lot of people think I'm against using a jig, because I'm always preaching you have to learn freehand grinding. I made one just for the experience. For me, I still prefer freehand, but if i had to make 5-10, it would make complete sense... I'm not against beginners learning on a jig, but I always suggest for every 2 jig knives, freehand grind 1... I mean wonder if you want to grind a different type of bevel or you make a mistake & don't know how to fix it... great video, hope all is well, take it easy...

[@jenky1044]

Wonderful tutorial video. Thank you.

[@larrybair8074]

Always the consummate pro. Thanks.

[@hootenknives153]

really like the magnetic jig

[@3dservicesllc]

Thanks for showing my Magnetic Jig.

[@clapforboobies5892]

Great vid. Even with a jig my grind lines in some areas are higher than the scribe line and lower in others. Why is that?

[@RAkers-tu1ey]

Start with cold roll... Yes, and you wind up with a bunch of really interesting throwing knives!

[@BillRodgers2]

R. Akers great advice for beginners

[@garyboardwine3349]

Just true the parts up , it will be fine

[@rifleman7313]

Just wanted to know if flat platen are available anywhere for a 4"X36" belt grinder or where I could find one. I'm just starting out and was thinking that some sort of grinder (even a cheaper big box store sander would be easier and faster than a stone, oil, and sandpaper for the final polish). Thanks

[@steelcannibal]

What finish grit would you suggest for a decent stone washed/tumbled finish?

[@Cherokie89]

Are these belt grits you’re using for post-heat treatment or pre?

[@glenpaul3606]

I made a simple jig to use on my 4x36 belt sander. The table is square and level. For some unknown reason I get "dimples" on my bevel. They are difficult to remove and doing so changes the height of the grind line of the bevel. I would like to understand why these dimples appear and how to avoid them. I'm obviously doing something wrong...maybe too much pressure or position of blade on the jig ? I just ruined one knife blade (steel is expensive) and have cut off another piece to try again. I'd like to get it right this time. Do you have any words of wisdom on how to do this right and avoid these dimples in my bevel ??

[@tim-hypnotherapist]

Where does one get that solid machined block?

[@ifell3]

Best 101 ever!!!

[@Ben-rf8se]

Hey, sorry ik this is the wrong vid but I decided to post this on a newer vid Does anyone know a good place to get find rebar? I'm struggling finding somewhere close enough to buy some for the bo shurikens and the few I can find only sell to businesses Like even just some tips on finding some scrap steel rod from somewhere would be appreciated

[@fortpecktim6846]

drive around looking for construction sites, they always have scrap rebar laying around

[@haroldparker2614]

I would like to ask a simple ignorant inexperienced question, if I may. Why are the handle mounting holes not drilled before the blade is hardened instead of burning up drill bits after quenching ? Thank you for your time and response.

[@bruceb51]

Hi Walter, thanks for the info., do you know the name of the Jig at 3:06 in the video, I can't seem to find it anywhere?. Thanks Bruce

[@kheilos]

Bruce Balemian yeah I’ve been looking for it I’ll let you know if I find it or anything similar

[@kheilos]

Bruce Balemian yeah I looked for 30 min straight I think it’s best if we just forget we ever saw it

[@3dservicesllc]

I build these. They are $79. free shipping. email [e-mail]

[@thricethekill]

Walter.... that shirt in your last grinding... are you a MSTATE graduate? Are we bulldog brothers?!?!!!

[@MrMarsBlades]

Thanks Walter, one thing tutorials miss out on when explaining grinding bevels is how hard should one press on the belt? I know it varies but it would be good too cover this in more detail. For me it works if I start fairly hard then ease off as i move up through the grits, any thanks again.

[@larrybud]

Why not just compute the grind angle? It's just a little bit of trig. Let's say your grind width is 3/4" and blade thickness is 1/4", so you only need to grind 1/8" off each side at the edge: invcos(.125 / .75) = 80 degrees.

[@toddpick8007]

If youre going to build a jig you might as well machine holes and thread them to mount the handle the same way rather than use a clamp which is bulky and can come loose.

[@jodyfree953]

💯🇺🇸

[@josephconnelly7124]

Higher education at its best

[@gkward1981]

My problem is my grinder sucks. But I do the best I can with what I have.

[@BillRodgers2]

DugPastit I have a home made one and I’ve yet to figure out a table so I know exactly how u feel

[@sbjennings99]

Do You Ever Read Your Comments?

[@MikeJones-vb1me]

I wish I had learned about jigs before I developed any actual skill to differentiate myself from a soulless cnc machine

[@DoggoWillink]

I’ve only ground freehand since I started. I just feel like certain things should take some skill, otherwise you might as well have a machine do it. If you’re making knives strictly as a business and not as an art, I guess it makes more sense.

[@griffithshandmade-knives]

The fact jigs help with accurate bevel angles goes without saying, but most guys are using them because they keep 🤬ing up plunge lines. You know what 🤬 plunge lines! 😂🤣 Plunge lines are a bi-product of the industrial era and mass produced knives. The ABS only requires plunge lines because of their technical difficulty, outside of that they have no function. A knife without plunge lines will work to its intended purpose, you need look no further than kitchen knives for that testament. Also take a look at historical knives, including many examples of original Bowie knives, and you’ll find them mostly absent. Plunge lines are just an industry ego thing we need to get over😝

[@larrybud]

They look nice too

[@omerfarukpirhasanoglu1866]

Can you make a cs go huntsman knife ?

[@jammermontana.5335]

Can I even trust this after what happened at forged in fire!?!

[@jammermontana.5335]

Combatabrasives

[@jeverettrulz]

really??

[@jeverettrulz]

@@jammermontana.5335 and your work is where? your videos? easy to sit back and critique. Other top makers have failed on FiF as well, like Burt Foster, Fuad Accawi, Murray Carter etc etc. So many other excellent makers don't even bother with the show at all. Post some of your work, or apply for the show and prove your skills before trolling?

[@t.daniels8880]

Jammer Montana. Easy to say from behind you’re keyboard. Let’s all see some of your work?

[@jammermontana.5335]

jeverettrulz Awww, I’m so not sorry to offend your crush. Do you get off to Walter’s monotone voice and lack of entertainment? You defend his failures like they didn’t happen. All I meant by that comment was, when I watch these vids now I take his advice with a grain of salt.