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Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2025 6:38 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
I just wanted to show a few pics of how I cut the pulls into the newly made blades on the recent rebuild of the Cattaraugus Sowbelly. I like this method because it uses a common power tool and does not require and fancy or expensive equipment.
Mark where the pull is to be cut parallel to the spine with a fine tip Sharpy. Tape the blade to avoid scratches.
Use a piece of scrap the same thickness as the blade and clamp a piece of scrap metal as a guide. I had a piece of 1/4 inch keystock for this.
Run the Dremel tool at max speed along the scrap metal being careful of the initial touch that the tool doesn't jump or torque. Grip with both hands. Make multiple passes to get the depth and length desired.
Finished product. This makes a narrow, square cornered slot that the fingernail can easily engage. There are different thickness Dremel wheels available if a wider pull is desired.
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2025 7:27 pm
by Jeffinn
Excellent tutorial! Thanks for sharing that.
Jeff
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2025 11:44 am
by glennbad
I have been struggling with the best way to do this type of work. I do have a mini-mill, but it's not set up yet. Thanks for taking the time to show us your process!
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 1:21 pm
by Nev52
Thanks for the information. Turned out great.
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 9:24 pm
by SwedgeHead
That's a neat lil tip. I'm betting there are smaller cutting wheels or you could use a worn down one too if you wanted to customize the length. I like it - simple.
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:11 am
by orvet
Excellent tutorial and super simple method for solving a challenging problem!
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 12:40 am
by rea1eye
Great detailed description. This would have been helpful about
4 years ago. A member here helped me making the nail nick
much deeper on an old knife I bought.
Bob
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:05 pm
by muskrat man
Nicely done. When I was using cut off disks to cut pulls I used to put the disk in a drill press and clamp the blade up in a machinist vise. I tend to punch most of my pulls now.
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 5:15 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
muskrat man wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:05 pm
Nicely done. When I was using cut off disks to cut pulls I used to put the disk in a drill press and clamp the blade up in a machinist vise. I tend to punch most of my pulls now.
If I did more than I do now, I would go with something better and faster. But for the occasional times I need to cut one, this works OK without needing to buy extra tooling.
Thanks for all the comments guys.
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 9:46 pm
by just bob
TY for posting this. It has been a great thread and very informative. I saw a video of Bobby Neal doing this but have never tried it myself.
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2025 10:26 am
by Ozwelder
Thank you Olde Cutler,
I was about to post and ask about the very same topic.
Ozwelder
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2025 2:22 pm
by Lansky1
muskrat man wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:05 pm
Nicely done. When I was using cut off disks to cut pulls I used to put the disk in a drill press and clamp the blade up in a machinist vise. I tend to punch most of my pulls now.
Hey Muskrat Man - would you be so kind to describe how you punch your nail nicks ? Is it done with a big old hammer or some kind of arbor press setup ? I would love to see pics of your rig, as I'm never been successful with using a dremel tool and grinding proper nail nicks... thanks !
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2025 2:25 pm
by Lansky1
OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Thu Jun 05, 2025 6:38 pm
I just wanted to show a few pics of how I cut the pulls into the newly made blades on the recent rebuild of the Cattaraugus Sowbelly. I like this method because it uses a common power tool and does not require and fancy or expensive equipment.
Mark where the pull is to be cut parallel to the spine with a fine tip Sharpy. Tape the blade to avoid scratches.
IMG_6071.JPG
Use a piece of scrap the same thickness as the blade and clamp a piece of scrap metal as a guide. I had a piece of 1/4 inch keystock for this.
IMG_6074.JPG
Run the Dremel tool at max speed along the scrap metal being careful of the initial touch that the tool doesn't jump or torque. Grip with both hands. Make multiple passes to get the depth and length desired.
IMG_6075.JPG
Finished product. This makes a narrow, square cornered slot that the fingernail can easily engage. There are different thickness Dremel wheels available if a wider pull is desired.
IMG_6076.JPG
NIce job - some skills for sure doing nail nicks freehand (I had a hard enough time trying to do it with a drill press & vice to hold the blade)
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2026 8:38 pm
by muskrat man
Lansky1 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 24, 2025 2:22 pm
muskrat man wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:05 pm
Nicely done. When I was using cut off disks to cut pulls I used to put the disk in a drill press and clamp the blade up in a machinist vise. I tend to punch most of my pulls now.
Hey Muskrat Man - would you be so kind to describe how you punch your nail nicks ? Is it done with a big old hammer or some kind of arbor press setup ? I would love to see pics of your rig, as I'm never been successful with using a dremel tool and grinding proper nail nicks... thanks !
Im a hammer and punch man. Stamp the blalevels. And deep then grind in the bevels.
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2026 2:24 am
by Lansky1
muskrat man wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2026 8:38 pm
Lansky1 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 24, 2025 2:22 pm
muskrat man wrote: ↑Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:05 pm
Nicely done. When I was using cut off disks to cut pulls I used to put the disk in a drill press and clamp the blade up in a machinist vise. I tend to punch most of my pulls now.
Hey Muskrat Man - would you be so kind to describe how you punch your nail nicks ? Is it done with a big old hammer or some kind of arbor press setup ? I would love to see pics of your rig, as I'm never been successful with using a dremel tool and grinding proper nail nicks... thanks !
Im a hammer and punch man. Stamp the blalevels. And deep then grind in the bevels.
Thanks Muskrat Man ... just curious - can you advise where I could obtain a punch or if you would be willing to sell one ? So, if i understand, first step is to punch the nick, second step is to grind in the bevel, or is punching the nail nick sufficient by itself without grinding it after ?
Re: Cutting pulls on new blades
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 3:59 am
by muskrat man
Stamp the nick, the grind the bevels on your blade. In other words just grind your blade profile to shape, stamp it then bevel your blade. No nick grinding is neccesary. A stamp can be made from a piece of an old file or hardened tool steel, chisel ground. Curve it for a regular nick leave it square it for a long pull.