Cubitron 2 984F 36grit vs Blaze R980P 36grit

H

huntingsgr8

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May 25, 2015
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I'm about to order a large quantity of belts, nearly 200 altogether. Collectively the posts on this forum (and a few others) seem to lean toward the Cubitron II belts as being superior (faster cut, longer lifespan). My question is: in the opinion of those who have used both, is this difference substantial enough to justify the difference in cost? I'll be paying 10$/ea for the Blaze belts, or 13$/ea for the Cubitron II belts. They'll be used mainly on W2 and AEBL
 
I’ve found for grinding bevels the blaze belts work better for me, I’m grinding post heat treating and can’t really apply enough pressure to get the cubitron to break down, for profile grinding the cubitron might be better since you can use higher pressure but I normally take the 36 grit belts once they are done for bevels and switch them to profile grinding.
 
I don't know if you can get Deerfos Bora-7 where you are. I pay less than $6 for them in 40 grit (I'm in EU). They are just great for post HT grinding. I have stopped looking for other belts.
 
I don’t use either. But if I were going to buy that many belts, I would try them for myself and see how it works for me. Everyone grinds different and it affects how the belts are used and how many.

you ask a good general question but I keep saying, the devil is in the details

myself I use Vsm xk for less than half the price you are talking about. I never could get the mileage out the expensive belts you mentioned

that many belts you could probably buy direct from the manufacturer
 
I love Blaze and other maybe than the old yellow 3M belts I haven't found better but I'm with Harbeer with the VSM. The Blaze is maybe 20% better and twice the cost. A sharp belt is just better than a half sharp premium belt. VSM are really good for the price and it's a lot easier to chuck them when they are cheaper.
 
I have used them all. The speed and pressure used on my grinder does not get the benefit from the Cubitron.

Blaze is good but I get the same about the same performance from VSM ceramics.

So I use VSM ceramics in 50 grit and Hermes AO 120-400. Good performance and $ savings as well.
 
I would agree with everyone regarding VSM. In my hands I couldn't get the longevity out of the blaze or 3M's to warrant the increased cost. I use VSM
 
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I like the blaze belts. Really, I think it depends on how a person grinds. The speed of the belt and how much pressure one uses. What works well for one person may not work that well for someone else.
 
VSM are popular, and have decent pricing. I have used them, and get more life out of Deerfos Bora-7.
 
Would these be VSM XK880Y belts? I could get those too, cheaper than either blaze or the Cubitron II at 9$/ea

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VSM has a new belt called the ActiRox AK890Y in 36 grit. Some makers in Canada have them, but it is supposed to be much better abrasive life than their previous belts. I emailed them to see if there is a US supplier for them yet.
 
Blaze here sometimes the Norton 984s (found a deal on them)
the Blaze for me easily does the most...
I've done the 3m red belts and they work like the VSM but not like the Blaze
a Buddy of mine is/was a VSM dealer and said hey try these out so i did !!! he now uses Blaze !!!!
Any decent belt can get you there but that is where you find the difference.. only grinding Hardened blades ,shaping/profiling/bevel grinding..
 
I'm specifically interested in belts for bevel grinding. I do all my profiling and descaling with dull belts. At the moment I primarily make chef knives, and those wide and thin blades take a lot of bite out of belts, and fast. I grind to a .030" edge, HT, and finish grinding the edge out to <.005". I can usually hit .007"-.010" before I get to hand sanding.
 
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Another thing, while the Blaze are a great belt at times the still leave that black crap on my platen which is annoying when doing flat grinds.
 
before investing in 200 of them, i suggest trying one of each. we all get different lifespans out of different belts with our different techniques, pressure, and other variables like do you grind hard or soft steel and on and on.
 
3m 984 is the best belt made. They run smoother and last longer. They’re made with a higher quality backing and put more ceramic grains in the mix, others mix with a higher % of aluminum oxide, and the coating doesn’t brake down at the edges. If I were a rich knife maker, it’s all I’d buy/use.
I usually keep some on hand but I use mostly VSM 885.

Hoss

ps. they also run cooler
 
I tried the VSM 760s and did not like them at all. Didn't last long and then seemed to just generate heat, with my grinding style. They sent a few 885s for me to try, and that will be my next order. A MUCH better belt. I am a Blaze fan too. I like them quite a bit. Have not tried Cubitron. Just another vote for VSM 885.
 
DevinT said:
3m 984 is the best belt made. They run smoother and last longer. They’re made with a higher quality backing and put more ceramic grains in the mix, others mix with a higher % of aluminum oxide, and the coating doesn’t brake down at the edges. If I were a rich knife maker, it’s all I’d buy/use.
I usually keep some on hand but I use mostly VSM 885.

Hoss

ps. they also run cooler
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Do you think that at the performance difference justifies the extra $3.60 a belt for the 3M over the Blaze?

Also, I think I should clarify something. The exact figure is 190 belts, I'm only getting 110 of those in 36Grit. The remainder will be finer grits, and I'm less concerned about their longevity given that they're cheaper by 2$-3$ each, and that I won't be doing any serious material removal with them.
 
huntingsgr8 said:
Do you think that at the performance difference justifies the extra $3.60 a belt for the 3M over the Blaze?

Also, I think I should clarify something. The exact figure is 190 belts, I'm only getting 110 of those in 36Grit. The remainder will be finer grits, and I'm less concerned about their longevity given that they're cheaper by 2$-3$ each, and that I won't be doing any serious material removal with them.
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Probably not, but every time I try blaze belts, I don’t like them as much as 3m 984’s.

Hoss
 
I've compared the 36 grit in both belts and preferred the 984f with the way I grind... That was, until I tried the 50 grit Blaze. That belt just lasts so much longer for me that it's my go to now.
 
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