Belt Grinder Strop?

7

7MWoQ16

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Jul 7, 2015
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105
Hello, I have been wondering, does using a leather belt on a belt grinder work as a good quick strop? I have seen these leather belts online before, but I don't know if this is something common that works well. Any info is appreciated.
 
I've been using a leather belt to finish bulk knives for many years as I'm sure many do. Works very well with BRKT white compound. Of course you can use whatever you wish. CBN, diamond or whatever.
 
You could but I've never tried it that I can remember. At speed using compound is more effective, cooler, safer etc. One bar lasts for years.
 
I've got some compound in bar form, I just have a hard time applying it. I got the strop attachment for a lansky sharpening system, and I could never get it to make a difference on any edges, I probably wasn't using it right. Only cost six bucks, plus a little more for the compound. I'm certainly not experienced in sharpening.
 
Does a buffing wheel or leather belt change the finish just behind the edge as well as sharpening it? PLEASE HELP, I'M A NEWBIE!!!!
 
7MWoQ16 said:
Does a buffing wheel or leather belt change the finish just behind the edge as well as sharpening it? PLEASE HELP, I'M A NEWBIE!!!!
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Hmm worst that could happen is if you sharpen it too long or at a wrong angle that it could wear off a bit or get polished, but nothing major as far as I know.

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Generally the belt won't. But it can happen. A buffing wheel would be more prone to polish up farther. Depends on the item and technique used. My buffers are the most dangerous tools in the shop. I don't even like to use them! LOL
 
Let's back up a step. You say you're not super experienced in sharpening. You've gotten basically no results from stropping with the Lansky piece and you're asking about powered devices.

What are you trying to achieve? Powered tools may or may not be the best option. ...and as PJ above says, belts and *especially* cloth (rag) wheels can be very dangerous. They can grab blades and send them flying. You don't want to be in the way of a blade that gets slung by a wheel moving at 3600 RPM.

Brian.
 
Never having trouble with my buffer hehe. I am only scared to death when i am using my angle grinder, doesent have a guard or side handle but it works. I mostly just use my dremel.
 
To Brian: I don't need to use a buffing wheel, I don't even have one, those to my knowledge are the only ones that fling blades (as long as you are using other equipment correctly). Also, I have a belt grinder that works fine and I know how to use it well enough, I'm just trying to see if that is a worth-while option and a quicker stropper. I don't know if it will work, that is why I asked. Thank you very much.
 
7MWoQ16 said:
To Brian: I don't need to use a buffing wheel, I don't even have one, those to my knowledge are the only ones that fling blades (as long as you are using other equipment correctly). Also, I have a belt grinder that works fine and I know how to use it well enough, I'm just trying to see if that is a worth-while option and a quicker stropper. I don't know if it will work, that is why I asked. Thank you very much.
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Have you looked at the 3M micron belts in the 2000 range for your belt machine. They run really cool, they have a plastic backing and will burnish an edge in short order.

Pop's knife supple carries them.
 
A leather strop with a little white compound on the belt sander was a game changer for me. It took my sharpening to a whole other level. They work well for burr removal and as a final step. I would recommend Surgi-Sharp brand. Of the few I've tried, they are thicker and of better quality. My white stick has served me well and has produced many screaming edges but it is getting pretty small these days, I may experiment with Diamond paste.
 
I normally use the cardboard wheel and finish with a normal strop, but now you all have me wanting a strop for my belt grinder.
 
Stropping should not be used in place of good sharpening technique. If working on a stone or diamond plate and you possess a good range of grits, there should be little need of stropping. If it is required it should act to complete the sharpening process in just a couple of passes. Leather belts mounted on a belt machine produce a lot of heat if used to excess. Heat is the enemy of hardened edges. A good proportion of blades are tempered @ 400 or 450. It takes just a little friction to get these temperatures at the surface of the apex.
What ever system or technique you use to sharpen your knives, take the time to complete each step before moving to the next step. Paying attention to the burr "creation" the length of the cutting edge is the best indicator that your ready to move to the next grit or step in your sharpening routine. The burr should get smaller and smaller as the sharpening of the edge proceeds. By the time you arrive at a sharp edge there should be little need for a strop.

How ever you do it, enjoy it, Fred
 
I think I have the finest grit of stone offered by Lansky, or at least close, and I have heard that stropping will give it at least a slightly sharper edge, and it's good for just slightly honing the edge after a day of using the knife or something, because stones tend to take off more material, so you ought not use those every day after work like you would a strop. I just want a belt for the grinder to very quickly and easily hone the edge to sharper than the stones will get it, not to completely resharpen a really dull edge or anything. Know what I mean?
 
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