I just recieved a new fleshing machine. I felt the blade on it and it doesn't seem as sharp as I had imagined it being. I thought it was going to be as sharp as a scalpel. I can run my thumb across it without even coming close to it wanting to cut into the skin. Is this normal for a fleshing machine blade or should I do something to it to sharpen it? I got it set up and tried touching it with the tuning steels but they didn't make it any sharper. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Ryan
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The machines used to grind round knife blades are not capable of getting a blade quite as sharp as a scaple, but it should cut your finger when a little pressure is applied, along with running your finger down the edge. Try to find a tannery that will grind your blades for you. The guys that sit on that shaving all day, every day, know how to grind a good blade. A dull blade will make their life hell. Another thing, those blades with those big hooks(lips, edge) are a waste of your blades. Think about it- the only part of that blade cutting is the tip. The only thing that you are lifting up and down when steeling is the tip, unless you are steeling with an ice pick.You are taking a quarter of an inch or more off the blade every time it is ground. A blade as thin as a scalple, and that fragile would not hold up to the things that you are going to hit. (copper, lead, rocks, sand, etc.) I think I got a little carried away. Later
oh well
Considering the knife starts out at 12" diameter, and the useable minimum diameter I get out of a knife using my Reliable machine due to guard settings is 9 1/4", you would only get 2 3/4" useable knife. (12 minus 2 3/4 is 9 1/4 if my math is still up to par) If you grind off 1/4 inch every grind that is 11 grinds and the knife will be useless beyond that. I get 30 grinds out of that same useable 2 3/4". You might try setting the stones a little higher to avoid grinding up ao many knives.
Creative spelling on the scalpel OS, twice. LMAO
David
Ryan,
Your knife is sharp, try touching it with your deer cape with it running. The RPM,s make a huge difference. I have used the same grind for weeks and it felt dull to the touch while it was not running, but crank it up and it cuts just fine. You are going to have many more questions with the new knife. Check back in when you get stumped.
Good Luck.
My blades are razor sharp and I've managed to cut myself several times while removing the blade from the envelope and a whole lot more while installing it on the armatuer. I've made a protective cover to my machine because twice I've carelessly reached for something and contacted the blade and just like a razor cut, it always seems to take forever to heal.
He tells me he cuts the entire curl off the blade before resharpening and beveling that edge. I only get 8 grinds out of my blades.
The blades alot of these guys get back after being ground have a lip of an eight inch or more. I was pointing out that they dont need a lip that big. Wasted blade! Check the archives, mr. spellcheck, you once got on me for pointing out misspelled words. He might could adjust the stones,if he had a grinder.
The blades alot of these guys get back after being ground have a lip of an eight inch or more. I was pointing out that they dont need a lip that big. Wasted blade! Check the archives, mr. spellcheck, you once got on me for pointing out misspelled words. He might could adjust the stones,if he had a grinder.
The blades alot of these guys get back after being ground have a lip of an eight inch or more. I was pointing out that they dont need a lip that big. Wasted blade! Check the archives, mr. spellcheck, you once got on me for pointing out misspelled words. He might could adjust the stones,if he had a grinder.
The blades alot of these guys get back after being ground have a lip of an eight inch or more. I was pointing out that they dont need a lip that big. Wasted blade! Check the archives, mr. spellcheck, you once got on me for pointing out misspelled words. He might could adjust the stones,if he had a grinder.
You kids play nice or I'll be havin ya shave a vat of warthog capes with a blank knife.
I have to agree with Mr T. Damn Kids. Ryan, the blade should be ver sharp but not razor sharp. While the blade is spinning trust me it is extremely sharp. Email Bruce Rittel and ask him to send you an article he wrote on fleshing machines. That is all you need to know.
must be two of us? or more?
I dont know how you two candy asses were raised, but I am not going to be insulted, and remain silent. Mr. T, Send those warthog capes on, maybe they will actually be worth mounting when they roll out the door!LMfatAO John, I will bet, I have shaved more skins in six months, than Mr. Rittel has shaved in his life time. Why dont you two kids go play in the street!
OS,
I was just kidding around with you. Well done Grasshopper! you found my bait...(I knew you couldn't resist-a good hunter always knows his quarry). Now next week we will move on to three letter words. Heck by the end of the summer we might even be up to a two syllable word! Wouldn't that be a joy!
George,
Your guy is using that big of a lip? When you get to that size lip, you will start losing control of the edge. Also, it will take one heck of a steel to fit the lip. But if he is used to it, then leave him be. I just like to make my knives last longer than 3 weeks. (Sorry OS)
Anyone who can get a razor sharp knife to stay razor sharp for more than a day must not be shaving many hides. It has been my experience that once a knife has been used for about five or six hides, it gets "broke in" to the point that I have better control over the edge and the cut. The protective cover was smart. I did the same thing after I witnessed a guy get cut under his bicep while reaching across the machine. Just some points to ponder from a guy who actually likes to use the shaving machine.
.... Now, that vat of warthogs might bust me up a little...
See you guys around,
David
When my blade is sharpened, I'd doubt there is 1/8 of an inch from the edge to the curl in the blade. I use a Rawhide and Bill just grinds them that way. I don't gripe as I seldom have one sharpened over twice before I can it anyway. I just like the bigger blade for better efficiency. And I'm sorry someone thinks they don't need to be razor sharp, but I DO. A dull knife doesn't get any sharper by spinning, it just hacks itself through more. A sharp blade has virtually no resistence and thats how I keep mine.
when that blade is spinning it is plenty sharp - shaveD about a 1/4" Off the outside of my thumb this year - i am surprised you didnt hear the scream and wonder what THE NOISE was - OUCH!!