I have used a Dakota fleshing machine for 15 years using the standard steel blades. I recently purchased a stainless steel blade and upon installing it on the flesher it produced a ripple cut. (New standard steel blades always produce a smooth cut). Standard steel blades can produce a ripple cut after a time but can be corrected with some fine sand paper. But I can not correct the ripple cut in the stainless steel blade. Was this blade manufactured incorrectly?
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they are much harder and require carbide sharpeners to sharpen so maybe emery paper or carbide sharpeners like ceramic drill bits. Just a thought. You may want to contact Van Dykes and ask a tech ? Brad
All of them can get or be this way at times. You need steels to dress the blade so it's not dimpled or wavy.
G.B. I talked to Bob Phillips, Product Manager for Van Dyke's at the Oklahoma show this year, he told me that they no longer even sell the stainless steel blades for the Dakota because of problems with them. Thought this might be of interest to you.
You're best bet is to contact them. I'm sure they can be helpful. That "rippling" isn't normal for a blade. You can use steels to work it out - but try not to be too hard on it. If you draw a spark on it - you may lose the temper! Stick with using only the steels.