Convexing skills..

[Gravelface]

There is a harbor freight "close" to me, I been wanting to get a 1x30

 

[Mr.LCV]

There is a harbor freight "close" to me, I been wanting to get a 1x30

I read they arent anything to brag about but they get the job done

 

[Mr.LCV]

My first double post... 70 hr week getting to me

 

[SpyderPhreak]

I read they arent anything to brag about but they get the job done

True on both counts. Try and get one when they're on sale, and then use a 20% coupon too. Should be able to get it for around $35 - $40 out the door. They are a bit on the fast side too, so you need to take extra care to keep the blade cool (I keep water and a towel right next to the grinder, and cool it after every pass just to be safe).

Best place for belts, etc. is either Lee Valley or TruGrit. As I mentioned before, TriZact and Norax belts are what you want. I seem to recall TruGrit having better pricing overall, especially on the leather belts.

 

[Gravelface]

Thanks for the information! now.......I just have to get out the house

 

[salvo]

I gave the Harbor Freight 1x30 a try and could not get it to track the after market belts, so I returned it and bought a Craftsman 2x42 http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2151...p-00921513000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3
Very happy with the Craftsman!
I use it for many tasks around the shop and really wonder how I got along without it. The first project was restoring a well loved Sarsquach, with a belt grinder and leather strop you can convex to a wicked sharp edge!

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

You first need to raise a burr along the entire edge before going to finer grits. I used an extra coarse diamond benchstone to reprofile, sandpaper to refine.
Most Mousepads are too soft, use leather under the paper.

 

[Father & Son Traditional Sharpening]

Scott, that is one heck of a job you did on that Sarsquatch! WOW

 

[Bigfattyt]

Pressure on your mousepad = rounding the edge. The backing is too soft to allow any room for prfessure. You can get excellent results from a mousepad and sand paper.

There are many great tutorials on here for it. Make sure you are not bringing the edge angle up as you finish the stroke. The natural tendency when learning is to give a sweep motion at the end of the stroke, like a little flourish of the rist. You are not trying to sweep a floor.

A belt sander is sure a shortcut to convexing, but I did all my Busse's except the last two by hand. Including an Ash, and a FBMLE.

I use a heavy rubber pad, from Tandy Leather. Dense stuff, with less give. This makes it much better, especially for bigger knives.

Honestly, I don't bother going above 600 grit much any more (though I have up to 6000 grit if I remember correct).


You can often find the Harbor Freight combo belt sander/disk grinder for under 40 dollars on sale. For that price, it is crazy utility. It won't be as smooth as a kalamazoo, or other more expensive grinders. Also, you can screw up a knife in a real hurry. One slip at a now grit belt blazing at thousands of RPM is like hours and hours of work on sandpaper in the dark, with a blindfold.

The first time you touch INFI to grinder is nerve wracking!

 

[Mr.LCV]

The first time you touch INFI to grinder is nerve wracking!

Yeah im definitely gonna practice on alot of my cheepos and kitchen knives first

 

[1066vik]

another vote for TruGrit -- and get a leather belt as well.

 

[salvo]

Scott, that is one heck of a job you did on that Sarsquatch! WOW

Thanks Chris!