Ceramic vs. Zirconium Belts

Big Chris

Big Chris

SAHD/Knifemaker
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 1, 2010
Messages
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I am planning to order some more belts for roughing and profiling annealed blades. I have not used Zirc belts since I left my 1x42 behind and was wondering how they held up when compared to Ceramic. At a 30% reduction in cost per belt they are looking like a fair replacement for roughing operations. Just looking for some thoughts before placing the order.

Thanks
 
Chris- I went through the same thought process, and was very unimpressed with the zirconium belts I got. They worked well for roughing in handles, but on steel the grit just seemed to peel off and spray me in the face.

IDK, maybe I just got a funky batch of belts... but my experience wasn't good.
 
My thought on Zirconium are a bit worse that what Nick just commented.
Some really like the Norton Blue Zirconium for steel work but it seems to fracture more unevenly and much faster than Ceramic on steel, and for wood and other handle stuff they don't fracture well enough and just gouge the wood off.

The two Ceramic 2 x 72 belts I found that's are the best for the money are the Norton "Best Value" and VSM Both of these lines are $5.00 a belt and less! I go 36 , 60 , 120, then to A/O, Scotchbrite or structured belts.

I get mine from www.trugrit.com Call and talk with Scott or his son Ryan.
 
Thanks guys. The batch I am working on is 3V so I definitely do not want a sub-par belt.
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
My thought on Zirconium are a bit worse that what Nick just commented.
Some really like the Norton Blue Zirconium for steel work but it seems to fracture more unevenly and much faster than Ceramic on steel, and for wood and other handle stuff they don't fracture well enough and just gouge the wood off.

The two Ceramic 2 x 72 belts I found that's are the best for the money are the Norton "Best Value" and VSM Both of these lines are $5.00 a belt and less! I go 36 , 60 , 120, then to A/O, Scotchbrite or structured belts.

I get mine from www.trugrit.com Call and talk with Scott or his son Ryan.
Click to expand...

I am lucky enough to live close to TruGrit and pick up and try any belt there. The Norton Best value get a lot of use in my shop as well.
 
I ordered some of the VSM's in 50 and 80 to try. The Norton will be my next try.
 
I would like to add that for flat out hogging I love my ceramics. However I do use almost strictly zircs for grinding bevels. I find that with lower pressure, the zircs seem to fracture better and stay sharper longer than the ceramics. This is just my own experience and may be based solely on my grinding style. Your results may vary.
 
Grayzer86 said:
I would like to add that for flat out hogging I love my ceramics. However I do use almost strictly zircs for grinding bevels. I find that with lower pressure, the zircs seem to fracture better and stay sharper longer than the ceramics. This is just my own experience and may be based solely on my grinding style. Your results may vary.
Click to expand...

Which zirc belts do you use? Thanks
 
I am doing some pretty heavy grinding for the next few days and was looking for a cheaper option. I normally use the 40 grit ceramics from supergrit, but also like to try new things. I tried the Bora belts and they did not suit my style, and I do not like using the Blaze belts on soft steel as I feel that is a waste of their potential. Also I do not find that I get twice the life with a Blaze in annealed steel to justify twice the cost. On full hard high Vanadium steels they are worth the extra cash though. The VSM I ordered are comparable in price to the Zirc belts I was looking at previously so it will not be money thrown away.
 
PT Doc said:
Which zirc belts do you use? Thanks
Click to expand...

I have been using the blue norton zircs for bevelling. For Hogging I have been experimenting with the 3m 977, and 984, blaze, and the newer ceramics from Klingspor, I believe they are 910cs but not 100 percent sure. I have them in 36 grit and they are a turquoise sorta green color, but they are packed away while I move so can't remember the exact model number. The biggest benefit I have found of all the others over the blaze is the smell. I don't know why but they the to give off a weird smell that none of the other give off, just the blaze.
 
Grayzer86 said:
I would like to add that for flat out hogging I love my ceramics. However I do use almost strictly zircs for grinding bevels. I find that with lower pressure, the zircs seem to fracture better and stay sharper longer than the ceramics. This is just my own experience and may be based solely on my grinding style. Your results may vary.
Click to expand...

I know the Zirc belts must work for some folks cause they sell a lot of them.

I do all of my bevel and finish grinding after Heat Treatment and have been very happy with the VSM and Best Value Norton ceramic belts. Also at this price point I only use them for one or two 8" chef knives on the bevel and then they are relegated to profiling etc.

A.Virgil,
If you are in Santa Monica feel free to stop by the shop and say hello to talk knives and maybe grind some?
 
I also live close to true grit and I really like the best value ceramic belts they have. After 120 grit I just use the gator belts.
 
Can someone list the blt number for the norton best value ceramic belts that you guys like? Thanks
 
PT Doc,
They are under the name of Merit. The parent co, is St Germain of something like that.
This is off the www.trugrit.com site for the 36 grit Best Value in 2 x 72 belt.
02X072:272-0036-BVC
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
PT Doc,
They are under the name of Merit. The parent co, is St Germain of something like that.
This is off the www.trugrit.com site for the 36 grit Best Value in 2 x 72 belt.
02X072:272-0036-BVC
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. No wonder I couldn't find it. Ill have to get some and compare to the costlier ceramic belts.
 
I use to use the Norton blaze. I can buy almost three of the BV ceramics for the price of one.

I really like the way the first 50% of any belt cuts. after that there is grit left, but they generate alot of heat and don't grind as evenly. i do all of my bevel grinding after HT, so it means more time grinding and less time dunking the blade.

The BVC by Merit and the VSM ceramic belts in 120 grit are about $3.00 each. Some A/O belts cost that much.
The VSM are made in Germany and are a well made belt at a great price too.
 
I like the Best Value more then the VSM. They just seem to grind more consistent for me.

Now the VSM I have in 36 grit I use for profiling and that belt just keeps grinding way past what it should. I use it only for profiling and grinding tasks on other shop stuff. It really is a work horse.

I have Blaze that are brand new still hanging there just in case the other start to suck... Well the blaze are still there and the BVC are still doing a fine job for much less.

I picked up some 3M Trizact A65 (240) and A45 (400) today because I have not found anything in those grits that last very long. So they have a good reputation and I am going to give them a work out.
 
I recently tried the 3M Cubitron 2 belts,they are not cheap but boy do the cut! When the loose their bite you can flip them around and get more out of them. I still have to see if the cost evens out or not.
 
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