Crosshatching is a way to, not only flatten a part, but to see where the problem is. I just finished a knife whose guard is shaped such that I had to work part of it flat by crosshatching.

In a dry fit, I could tell there was a problem, but could not tell exactly where to remove material. So I got the scratches all running one way, then took a wide backing stick and changed the grit on my sand paper so I could see the difference better and sanded perpendicular to the main scratches.  The low and the high showed up easily then.

It was then a matter of concentrating on the high areas till everything was even and flat, by alternating between the two directions.

Here I'm pointing at the low area that had the larger initial scratches.
 

And here I am pointing at one of the high areas that I had to take down a little. My backing stick spanned the whole area to bring it down all together. Then I also had to blend the curves into the flat area.
 

I thought this might interest some of you who make knives.

Thanks Lin!  Good technique to put in the file cabinet for the future.

I am planning a "S" shape wrought Iron guard that I will need to heat and bend, so that is good to know.

Was that guard stock thick and you removed material or heat and bend?

To heat and bend what do you do to keep the area of the guard around the slot from bending ?  clamp it in a vise?

Steve
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Potomac Forge

Very interesting, I learn something everytime I get on here, you would think I'd be smarter by now.
Thanks Lin
Dana

I put it in a vise with the top sticking up, then torched it to heat it. Then I hammered it forward. I filed the bottom curve in. Here's a before and after.

 

 

Very, Very, goood illistration Lin

Looks like another premeier piece of Iron wood

Sweet knife Lin, I love the double guard and that ironwood handle is great.
Dana

That sub-hilt is just too slick for words & the Ironwood is acheingly gorgeous!!

Nice!!!

Two quick questions-what method do you use to finish your wood handles and what material is the metal for the guard and spacers?  Really nice looking knife...  Thanks


Jeremy

Thanks Lin, thats a beautiful handle!

Steve
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Potomac Forge

Wow, what a pretty handle! Thanks for the technique explanation. You are great at sharing with others.

Allan

Lin, your work is stunning.  I just wish you wouldn't tease by not giving us a shot of the whole knife.     :D

Thanks for sharing!

Wow!  Thanks for the instructions.  That knife is gorgeous.

Lin,
 That is one of the prettiest woods I ever layed my eyes on....Great Job and a true Masterpiece!  

She dressed up real nice. I love your sub hilt knives. Home run for sure.

Chris

WOW, that is one of the nicest knives I have seen, and the wood is spectacular!
Dan

Simply gorgeous.  Thanks for the how to Lin.   I am working on a set of large knives and was planning to start on the guards in the next few days.  I bet this tutorial comes in handy.