How do you do a Randall grind

Unless methods have changed, which may be, the Randall bevels are very slightly hollow ground to accentuate the grind lines. The finish is done with grit charged cloth wheels. And yes it all takes practice.
 
Yes, there is a special technique to do it:
You practice a lot, then practice again for a change and, when you're tired of practicing, do some practice to rest. :p
 
Actually I was asking about specific technique for this grind. Before you practice you need to understand what you need to do.
It seems that you can only achieve this grind on only on very narrow belt or grinding on a belt edge, because of variable angle of the grind there is no flat area. It's more of a twisted surface.
Am I right?
 
You start like any other knife grind with a stop line in your mind, or even marked. Stay short of this line until you pretty much have the bevel like you want it. A large contact wheel would be a plus. When the bevel is close to your line, you grind a slight hollow to form a clean line, then blend it into your bevel. A very slight hollow. A narrow belt, or belt edge has nothing to do with it. It might pay to hollow grind the line first, then work below it. The hollow is so slight, that most do not notice it in the finished blade, and it is only done to give a crisp line. I was able to watch the rough grinding one time, but was not allowed to go far enough in the shop to watch any finish work closely. They were using 2" wide belts at the time, on in house made grinders. Pete Hamilton pointed the hollow grind out to me, or I would not have noticed. Unless an ex employee is willing to tell you more, That is the best I can do for you. That place is operated under a near top secret atmosphere.
 
I don't remember, but 10" would be a good guess. Just remember, the only reason for the hollow is to accentuate the grind line, and to keep it crisp, one needs to polish with the edge up at the grind line. If you use a loose buff, it can be very dangerous. Don't ask how I know, but s**t happens at the speed of light if things go astray.
 
This grind can be done flat or hollow,You just have to learn how to add pressure when needed and what angles to hold the blade at to reach the heigth of the grind line you want...As said before practice with it.Unless you watch someone do it their is no way to tell someone in a post.I learned how to do it without any one to ask how and was able to do it years ago,so just jump in and try and if it doesnt work try again,and keep going till you get it...Good Luck..
Bruce
 
Try this: On a new design that I have never tried before with crazy grinds, angles, etc...make you a "knife blank" out of wood exactly cut out and profiled as if it was steel. I have done both pine and oak and have no preference. Making sure it is the same thickness as my steel I intend to use later on (1/8", or whatever) I practice on the wood "blank" and see how I need to hold it on the grinder to get the lines and angles needed. Saves expensive steel! In experimenting you can correct your screw ups much easier this way.

Stupid trick, yes, but it works if it is a design really out in left field so to speak, and you see yourself with a big learning curve ahead.

Best of luck,

Hank
 
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