Classic iron soles grind variance?

OrangeGravy · August 21, 2017

I always thought vintage blades had pretty flat soles with sharp leading edges. I came across a partial set of MacGregor reg65 I think they were and I surprised to see how thick the top line was and it what looked like some trail edge relief! Are there any other older models that have some of these characteristics? Any that have some radius/camber from front to back on the sole or a blunter than normal leading edge? I am looking at grabbing a couple of older sets and hope to target models that might suit me a bit better than some of the super flat soled irons. I also would hate to put a custom grind these old classics unless I just grab a dog of a set.

Thank You!

Uncle T · August 21, 2017

Grab an old dog of a set and custom grind them. Make em your own. That's what I would do. But I don't have a bench grinder.

OrangeGravy · August 21, 2017

Grab an old dog of a set and custom grind them. Make em your own. That's what I would do. But I don't have a bench grinder.

I don't either or a belt sander for that matter

Uncle T · August 21, 2017

Grab an old dog of a set and custom grind them. Make em your own. That's what I would do. But I don't have a bench grinder.

I don't either or a belt sander for that matter

That's what I been looking todo but all the sets O have I couldn't dream of taking a sander to em. Still looking for that rough set.

raggal62 · August 21, 2017

Some of the vintage Hogan irons had more sole radius, camber, bounce, etc.

golfnut1964 · August 21, 2017

google Aaron Baddeley Macgregor custom grind. Might give you some ideas.

I am currently tinkering with doing the same on some old irons but am concerned

about how the chrome will hold up.

I would like to take a bit of the sharp leading edge off some vintage blades because

I still love the look of them at address.

Will post photos at some point...best of luck.

OrangeGravy · August 22, 2017

google Aaron Baddeley Macgregor custom grind. Might give you some ideas.
I am currently tinkering with doing the same on some old irons but am concerned
about how the chrome will hold up.

I would like to take a bit of the sharp leading edge off some vintage blades because
I still love the look of them at address.

Will post photos at some point...best of luck.

If it wasn't so cost prohibitive or hazardous to do at home I would remove the chrome, grind to suit and refinish. Maybe someday when I'm retired and need to fill up more time! love to see photos of what you come up with.

yaquigrande · August 22, 2017

I don't have a bench grinder either, but I use a file and start with a rougher file and progressively work my way down to the smaller one. I am a steep ball striker. Its amazing how much taking a little of the leading edge off helps from digging. My step sole Macgregor MT's I literally dug to China. If the sole is wide like the vintage Karsten irons with a sharp leading edge they don't dig as much, but with a very narrow sole or in the case of the step soles I really had trouble with these. On the other hand, hitting more and more of the vintage irons with a sharper leading edge has helped me to learn to pick the ball a little cleaner. Best of both worlds I guess. Chipping has improved as well.

golfnut1964 · August 22, 2017

Yaqui

Thats exactly what I have been trying-start with course file end up with 1000 grit sp...smooth as babys bottom. Have you had any issues with chrome lifting or peeling ?

The nice thing about filing is lots of control too.

yaquigrande · August 22, 2017

Yaqui

Thats exactly what I have been trying-start with course file end up with 1000 grit sp...smooth as babys bottom. Have you had any issues with chrome lifting or peeling ?

The nice thing about filing is lots of control too.

I agree 100 percent! when I tried to use the bench grinder too much metal came off too fast. you can always take away more metal slowly, but you can't add it back. LOL! I havn't had any issues with the chrome ever peeling, only on a set of Tommy armour burks which must have had bad platting it was peeling off almost on its own.

OrangeGravy · August 22, 2017

Yaqui

Thats exactly what I have been trying-start with course file end up with 1000 grit sp...smooth as babys bottom. Have you had any issues with chrome lifting or peeling ?

The nice thing about filing is lots of control too.
I agree 100 percent! when I tried to use the bench grinder too much metal came off too fast. you can always take away more metal slowly, but you can't add it back. LOL! I havn't had any issues with the chrome ever peeling, only on a set of Tommy armour burks which must have had bad platting it was peeling off almost on its own.

I've used my dremmel on a wedge. It worked alright, but it would be nice to have a good belt sander just for this purpose.