I don't buy a knife unless the maker grinds it on a 42 ft water wheel and hones it on the hide of a honey badger.

As a knifemaker, I don't understand why people have to get snooty about how you are making your knife... you're putting the same love and attention into it whether you forge, grind, freehand, or jigging!

Jigs don't bother me in the slightest, but I love the insight on jig vs freehand for knife making. Excellent vid!

Thank you for the insight. I had a local maker build out 3 blanks and he raved on his ability to put a 30 degree hand grind. Built out the first of 3 and skinned a deer with it. When I cut through the chest cartilage I rolled the edge. After asking that he fix the edge he got really upset that I was indicating there was a flaw in his edge. After further review he hand ground in about a 15 degree edge. It was far to thin and caused it to roll. I hand grind and jig grind but I prefer jig because I know what I am getting.

I think a jig should be used. I dont care about hand ground blades. I would rather have the bevels exactly the same.

I applaud you and your work ethic. As an experienced knife make I watched your work and I learnt things, especially about layout. I do all my roughing free hand and my fit and finish on a jig and I never thought it was an issue but I totally agree with the precept of the concept and my knives represent me and rough enough is never good enough. Even when a client tells me they want a "work" knife and nothing fancy. I can make them a work knife and it may not be fancy but it's the best work knife they'll ever use and their children will use it as the standard to judge every knife they ever use. Well done my friend and may you live long and prosper.

I don't think its cheating. I don't really care one way or the other. if the knife is good then whatever. who cares

Mike,

Bah!  Using a belt grinder is cheating.  REAL knife makers just remove metal with their teeth.  (Good to have you back)

where did

When we were kids The Jiggy Jiggy Man used to charge us a "browsing fee" to look at the nudie mags in his store

Good post. I use both freehand and jig, I also forge so there's many variations you can use with/out freehand and jig. Personally, I think using all the tricks of the trade you have at your disposal will help you overall as a knife maker and not diminish your quality is a great thing. As we said in the military, work smarter, not harder.

I think that it deesn't matter if its made with jig or freehand. As a knifemaker myself - I think that freehand gives you more freedom once you master it. When you use a jig you limit yourself with designs that are easier to set up. Also if you grind freehand and you are good at it you can be proud with yourself but thats it.