OPERATING
BETTCHER
AIRSHIRZ
®
INSTRUCTIONS
INDUSTRIES, INC. Rev. September 24, 2016
Page 44
9.3.1
Steeling the Blades (Continued)
FIGURE #32
FIGURE #33
Start with the throat of the blade placed near the tip of the steeling rod. Apply moderate pressure.
Slide the blade toward you while sweeping the contact point outward such that the entire edge is
worked in each stroke. Repeat this stroke several times. (See Figure #32).
Turn the blade so the flat side (back), lays flat against the steeling rod with the blade edge facing
away from you. Start near the handle of the rod and at the throat of the blade. Apply light
pressure. Slide the blade away from you while sweeping the contact point outward such that the
entire surface of the blade is worked in one stroke. (See Figure #33).
Perform same procedure on the mating blade.
Repeat the entire steeling procedure using a smooth metal steeling rod. Check blade sharpness
(see Section 9.3.3). If sharpness is not restored, then blades will need to be ground.
9.3.2
Grinding the Blades
In most cases, the blades can be reground until the edges no longer overlap at full closure. The
grind depth of both edges is at least 1/16 inch (1.5mm) before they begin to lose overlap (see
Figure #34A). You may be able to grind up to 1/8” (3 mm) depending on the application. For
some heavy cutting applications, the loss of stiffness due to grinding may require blade
replacement sooner, or the transfer of that blade set to a lighter operation.
