Belt sander vs stones

G

_glitch

Joined
Jan 5, 2017
Messages
15
Hi there.
New here, and i am getting quite some good help on this forum. So thanks for that.
I have yet another question.
This is properly obvious. But is it really true that you shorten the knifes lifespan faster if you use belts rather than stones?
I can imagine so. But if you are careful with the sander and take it slow, is it really true?

Reason i ask, is because i have heard from someone that he would NEVER use a belt sander because of this reason.
Is he being over dramatic?
 
He is being a little over dramatic, but for good reason. If you're very skilled with a belt sander, you can hone the edge without taking off a lot of material, but it's easy to stay on it too long and start shaving off more than you need to. Stones are much slower and easier to time correctly, not to mention it's much easier to make a tiny mistake on a belt sander and screw up an edge. Belt sanders are good for profiling an edge, but not finishing the edge.
 
OK, thanks man.
I am working on improving my skills with the work sharp.
Glad to know that i am not totally messing up my blades by default just because it's a belt sander.
I don't have any expensive knifes in my collection yet, so i have time to improve.
 
If you use a belt sander, keep a bucket of water close by too. Heat can build up very fast on the blade and screw up the heat treatment if you get a heavy hand and the knife is dull. It's probably a rare occurrence but better safe then sorry.

Cheap(er) knives are a great way to practice and anyone getting into hand sharpening should buy a few "cheapest knives around" for practicing.

Also, Diamond stones can also remove material faster then water/oil/arkansas stones.

PS. Don't forget a leather strop which can be easily made from an old leather belt.
 
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