2 x 72 Leather Stropping belt-- Is that a good idea?

frankdelalla said:
I was thinking of getting 2x72-Leather Stropping Belt. Anyone use them and have any advice?

I was using a buffer to finish my sharpening, but it seems to mess up my scotch-brite finish. (Am I doing something wrong there?) I want to be able to quickly finish sharpening without messing anything else up.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Here is one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?!" types of tricks to keep from messing up the finish on your blade. Just tape the blade just as is done in this video and BAM! :D

[video=youtube;eDHxENG9AAQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDHxENG9AAQ[/video]

Hope this helps some :)


~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
Thanks for all the input everyone. i went with the yellow buff wheel for now. Only used it once, but seemed to work well. Still working on my sharpening skills in General. Little inconsistent, but getting better.

MT Borg, any chance you could post a picture of of your set up? Sounds interesting.
 
Another "trick" that works pretty well is just to turn an old grinding belt inside out, so the cloth side shows. Then load it with the compound you prefer and use that as your powered strop.

Lately I've gotten away from using the grinder after I set the basic edge angles with a fresh A45 Gator - just to the point that it wants to start forming a burr. Then I clean it up with a 400-grit EzeLap diamond "stone", then a 1200-grit EzeLap, then a quick strop by hand. This gives me a nice crisp edge that still has a bit of "tooth" to it.

As mentioned before, if it takes more than a few strokes or passes on the strop, you weren't ready for the strop yet. ;)
 
coldsteelburns said:
Here is one of those, "Why didn't I think of that?!" types of tricks to keep from messing up the finish on your blade. Just tape the blade just as is done in this video and BAM! :D

[video=youtube;eDHxENG9AAQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDHxENG9AAQ[/video]

Hope this helps some :)


~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
Click to expand...

I will give credit where credit is due. This is a real good idea. I tweaked it a little and used two pieces of angle iron with the blade clamped in it(so the blade doesn't need removed from the jig). I used a angle finder to set the bevel at 18 degrees and ground in the primary bevel with a worn 150 grit belt. It worked up a burr in just a few passes(as in the video). I switched to a 600 grit to refine it a little more. Finally I went to the strop wheel on my paper wheels and took the burr off.I probably could have just used a felt belt loaded with compound or a leather belt. Either way I'm very happy with the results.

I was looking at the fixture thing all wrong. I was trying to come up with a Tormek type jig/fixture and it was proving to be a PITA. I hadn't thought about flipping the blade upside down. I will say, watch your speed. I could see overheating being an issue. That being said, you want the belt running fast enough(and your movement of the edge across the belt fast enough) so that it grinds a smooth/even bevel.

Anyway, thanks for the video. This method will work real well for getting secondary bevels exact.
 
JG Custom Metal Works said:
I will give credit where credit is due. This is a real good idea.

Anyway, thanks for the video. This method will work real well for getting secondary bevels exact.
Click to expand...

Not quite sure if that was directed at me, but just incase, I didn't make that vid.. That's good ole knifemaker Jesse Jarosz, I just thought it was a great idea as well :D

~Paul
My YT Channel Lsubslimed
 
Here's an update you on what I ended up with. Thanks again for all the help. I gleaned little bits from a bunch of your posts, but was especially inspired by the video Paul posted.

To get a good angle, I tilt the platen forward at 72 degrees. Then I use the tool rest to hold the knife at 90 degrees and go up. I use the slack platen for a convex edge. I was planning on making a jig like int he video, but I don't see the need anymore. It's working great as it is with very little effort.

I start with 120 Zirc belts, then 45 Norax, then buff with black compound. So fast and simple. This is 4 belts less than I was using and I get a great edge every time. The black compound doesn't seem to mess with my finish as much as the green was, so I'm satisfied with that for now.

Here's a link to a picture of how I set the slack platen and tool rest.

http://glui.me/?i=jawsi2d3w0vbkzp/2015-04-03_at_10.28_AM_2x.png/

Thanks again, folks! You guys are an amazing resource to a new knife maker.
 
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