Stem knives?

For discussion of fitting and shaping stems, doing inlays, and any other stem-related topic.
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BigCasino
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Stem knives?

Post by BigCasino »

Has anyone else seen others using a knife to shape stems?

and not in a whittling action, but kind of a scrape.. ya know with the blade perpendicular to the stem?

anyone have any info on pros and or cons of this method?
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PremalChheda
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by PremalChheda »

Usually a knife is use to get file marks out by scraping. You can do a little shaping with it, but it is better to hog material out with sanding disk or belt, and then detail work with a file.
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wisemanpipes
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by wisemanpipes »

I agree with Premal. you wont be shaping anything fast with knives. at least not from my experience. I use a belt for rough shaping then hone it in with a mill tooth file. THEN, I use a regular old exacto knife (like an art student would use) as well as some great, curved cabinet scrapers. that would bring me up to the equivalent of say 150 grit.

cant recommend a brand if your looking for carving/scraping knives but I know some people use knives a lot more than myself and might be of some better assistance.

Evan
dreadroberts
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by dreadroberts »

I am in no real position to properly asses this but, I have a set of hand carving knives that I use for regular carving and there is one in particular that is wide enough and very very sharp (if you maintain it) Early in my attempts to make a stem, again I need to learn a ton more before I can asses the viability of this method, I was able to take considerable amount of material from the stem using this knife in a scraping motion. Starting from the button and working backwards. The knife has a ver smooth curve to it and I imagine in skilled hands it could do exactly what you are wondering. Please read my previous disclaimer :D

This is one of the products I own and specifically the first knife in the picture is the one I was thinking of using:
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200199 ... l-Set.aspx
-Mat
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Sasquatch
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by Sasquatch »

ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!
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RadDavis
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by RadDavis »

I don't understand the use of a knife on a stem to get the file marks out.

They come out just fine with that 120 grit on a sanding wheel.

Hope this saves some time. :)

Rad
Charl
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by Charl »

I use a knife to get rid of file marks closer to the button, just before final sanding.
I've tried those triangular Swiss made ones, they don't work for me. I've been using an old kitchen knife grinded down to a short blade and sharpened.
caskwith
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by caskwith »

Use it scrape out file marks like everyone else it seems, really nice for a little fine work up to the button too. Unlike Charl I like the triangular jewellers pattern but I do hollow grind mine so maybe that's why it works.
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BigCasino
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by BigCasino »

Thanks for the help guys!
Charl
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by Charl »

How do you do that, Chris? Might try my luck, that knife was bloody expensive.
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Vermont Freehand
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by Vermont Freehand »

if I had a nickel for every time I've burnt my thumbs on these......
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NathanA
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by NathanA »

Many just use a triangular file that they have ground to semi-sharpness on the edge. The triangle file is much more stable than an actual knife edge. I am not this good with it but I have watched someone who is shape the stem with a file, smooth and remove tool marks with the blade and go directly to 400 or 600 grit paper and polish. With enough practice and skill with it, it can save a lot of steps.
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caskwith
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by caskwith »

Charl wrote:How do you do that, Chris? Might try my luck, that knife was bloody expensive.

How do I do which bit?
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Nate
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by Nate »

NathanA wrote:Many just use a triangular file that they have ground to semi-sharpness on the edge. The triangle file is much more stable than an actual knife edge. I am not this good with it but I have watched someone who is shape the stem with a file, smooth and remove tool marks with the blade and go directly to 400 or 600 grit paper and polish. With enough practice and skill with it, it can save a lot of steps.
That is what I have done Nathan, took an old triangular file that was worn out and went to the grinding wheel. Works quite well.
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jogilli
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by jogilli »

i use one .. I end up cutting (shaving) off excess material on stems with a downslope ..or discus on them.. you know like the ones I always do... as long as the top of the blade is thick and the cutting end is is sharp it saves some sanding by being able to carve off the contour... and then I use a standard straight razor (one-sided) to scrape out file marks ...

james
Charl
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by Charl »

The razor part is quite interesting, James!
Sorry, Chris, what I meant is how do you hollow grind the triangular knife? Just use a round or curved stone?
LatakiaLover
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by LatakiaLover »

10-4 on a blade chattering. What you want is a rigid, 60-degree edge.

A bit spendy, but easy to keep sharp, and is top quality. Mine still looks and performs as new after years of use:

http://www.ottofrei.com/Scraper-Made-in-Germany.html
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caskwith
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by caskwith »

Charl wrote:The razor part is quite interesting, James!
Sorry, Chris, what I meant is how do you hollow grind the triangular knife? Just use a round or curved stone?

Well it came hollow ground in the first place, a bit like the one George mentions above except mine is a larger blade in a fixed handle. I maintain and slightly accentuate the hollow grinding by sharpening on my tormek using the curve of the stone to my advantage. Usually do this about once a year and it takes about 10mins to do all 3 sides. I use a sharpie to keep track of my progress.
Charl
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by Charl »

Interesting. Mine have flat surfaces, but with a hollow relief in the middle, sort of a 1/3 of the face.
caskwith
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Re: Stem knives?

Post by caskwith »

If you sharpen those flat surfaces on a tool like a tormek it will soon start to become hollow ground.
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