Thank you for the tips, knifeguy. I do all my grinding and stripping outdoors for the reasons you mentioned. I did not remove the scales from my Swamp Rat HRLM or the Busses I stripped and/or polished. It was suggested to me by Jerry Busse at Blade when I showed him some of my work. The idea was that I could then polish the tang areas better. You will notice that I did not grind the rough areas of the flat sides, only the spine and tang edges. I left the natural dimpled steel and just buffed it bright with the Scotchbrite wheels on the unground flat sides. This project would have taken all day if I had decided to polish the flats with my belts as I did on my HRLM. I was looking for a quicker way that would yeild results acceptable to most folks on the forum without requiring much grinding. That was the idea behind the Scotchbrite wheels. The blade got warm but not hot during any of the operations I have shown, but care needs to be taken as you point out. I am new to all this, so any and all suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks for that, Vic! Will try that on my S6 or DF sometime...

BTW, That Steel Heart looks FABULOUS~~~
What type of micarta is the handle made out of, or is it G10?

I think it is G10. I was thrilled to score that knife. I think it is beautiful, too.

Thanks for the write up.....enjoyed it.

I would like, if possible some pictures of the equipment itself.....for my own future use.

Thanks!

Sorry about that, Bramel. I guess I just assumed most forum members were familiar with the awesome high tech machinery of the 3rd World Grind Shop. Here is the Cental Machinery 1" x 30" belt sander with belt guide, tilt table, and safety guard removed.

This is the 5" bench grinder with Scotchbrite wheels attached.

Here is the Dremel Tool with a sanding drum attached.

HD,

Thanks for the pictures. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the guide HD! The temptation is strong. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I think I need to pick up a bench grinder now... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

It can save some work, Cold One. Since this knife already had a full flat grind, all I really had to do was sand the tang and unground parts. But I didn't do that. I just buffed the flats of the blade and called it good.
Here is a factory satin RD next to the quickie 3rd World model.

Notice that the tang areas, the unground flats, are left dimpled and just buffed along with the flat ground blade. The Scotchbrite wheels do an amazing job in a short time.

Vic, great job, nice pics! Knifeguy, some good health and safety pointers!

Probably another very relevant and worthy tip would be to use extreme caution with sharp blades and fast rotating tools.

The bench grinder in particular - if set up with a buffing wheel or Scotchbrite wheel can easily grab a knife and throw it.

If done wrong or carelessly, serious injury could be the result.

I will wear a leather glove on one hand (my left) while holding the handle firmly with my right hand. With my gloved left hand, I can control the blade better. The glove helps my hand avoid the heat from the blade as well. The thick knife blades will "hold" the heat longer than say a shovel or machete.

Of course, you don't want the blade to get too hot, but a blade on bare skin can get pretty uncomfortable even at just 140 - 150 degrees and even a few inches from where you are grinding.

I don't know about anybody else. But, when I have been using my belt sander in particular, I develop a ton of static electricity. I am very jumping when getting shocked. The flinches and reflexes can cause potential issues as well. I have always been concerned about flinching and shoving a blade into the tool, having the blade flung in my face, body, foot, etc.

I have tried grounding myself different ways. Maybe just me (????).

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I also didn't mention eye protection!

.

Grindmaster Funk gives us another new tune! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

The RD6 looks much better sans coating IMO, even with finishing only via the quickie Scothbrite buff method.

And a great job on the tutorial Vic!

As most adults should know, bench grinders with buffing wheels can be particulary dangerous. It is very difficult to express verbally how to safely use one. One must be careful not to catch the blade in the wheel. The larger the grinder, the more force it has to wrench the blade from your hand. I have a large buffer that I never use on knives for that reason. I always wear an apron and eye protection. I do not wear gloves. I have a very firm grip on the blade and handle at all times. I want to feel the heat. Forty-one years ago, I learned the basics in metal shop in high school. I never used that training until the last couple of years. There is risk involved in most activities, whether we recognize it or not. As far as becoming charged with static electricity, the high humidity here minimizes that. I would advise following the safety precautions that are inculded with all power equipment sold today. This is a knife forum. If you are not mature enough for this, go play video games.