How did I grind blades before Gators???

W

Will Leavitt

Joined
Jul 28, 2006
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Just got my shipment of Gators in and was playing with the 80x ones.... wow :thumbup: makes me wonder how I ground blades before Gators. Smooth, no bumps and leaves a much finer surface than 80x. Even did a nice job on the preliminary plunge cuts.

Yaaaayyyyyy I'm so happy.... so it looks like I'm changing my grinding belt process. Probably going to go 36x, 60x 977s (unless the 80x Gator cleans up 36x quickly) 80x, 160x 260x (I think) and 400x Gators. The Gators seem to do a nice plunge already so I may skip the 220x j-flex for cutting them in.

Probably need to order some 36x and 60x Blazes to check those out versus my 3m 977s, I know I didn't like the 967 golds.
 
Will, you ain't kiddin' brother! I use Blazes from 24 up to 120 grit, then, from then on up, it's Gator-Time! I go up until their 600 grit, which should be marked "A30" on the belt. They are just so smooth to use, it's incredible.
- Mitch
 
Those gators are the only belt that I can get to run smoothly, while flat grinding the finer grits.
 
Man,i just placed a $600 beklt order and meant to get a few to try! next order i'll have to try and remember :)
 
I am at the end of my last big belt order and am ordering 3 each of the belts I want to try...... didn't like the 3M Golds, tried some cheaper Zirc belts, they're all right but I demand better performance, next will be some Blazes. Gators have found a home with the other trizacts. Right now for hogging I'll still reach for 977s but who knows maybe Blaze will dethrone the king :D
 
Rumor has it that you can go straight from 60 to 400. Cant remember who it was that got that started. Might have been Jerry Hossum ? Never tried it myself.
 
I like my gators to. however On my last order I just got 220, 400 and 600 grit gators, I use blaze for 36-120. I have ground quite a few blades with just an 80 grit gator, just remember to wipe the blade after you dunk in water or the belt loads up.

-Josiah
 
Steve Johnson goes from 60 (I think ceramic) to a 400AO. I do the same thing with good results. Sometimes on larger knives I want an intermediate grit because the 400's will wear out.
 
AcridSaint said:
Steve Johnson goes from 60 (I think ceramic) to a 400AO. I do the same thing with good results. Sometimes on larger knives I want an intermediate grit because the 400's will wear out.
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wow that is a large jump, I would think that an intermediate grit would really speed things up.

-Josiah
 
i have been running them a while they are just that good

i now use blaze 60 grits and the odd and end 24-40 grit (handle shaping)
and remember guys if they seem to slow down in there cutting you can dress then just like a grinding wheel
 
60-220-600 , for a mirror polish then a 15 micron . Works well for me and I use the cheap belts .
 
J-siah said:
wow that is a large jump, I would think that an intermediate grit would really speed things up.

-Josiah
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The only problem with the move is that on large blades the 400 grit belts will wear out if you have deep scratches. Sometimes I'll use a 120 to get around this. 400 is actually very aggressive, give it a try.
 
Make sure that you aren't wearing an Oklahoma jersey. The Gators will make fun of you:D
 
I haven't had much grinding time yet, but I do notice that the gators run really smooth. I run them in 240 and 400.
 
Mark Williams said:
Rumor has it that you can go straight from 60 to 400. Cant remember who it was that got that started. Might have been Jerry Hossum ? Never tried it myself.
Click to expand...

SR Johnson's process as I remember it (I did it until I blew up my cork belt) was after HT
60 ceramic
400 AO (new belt)
400 or 600 cork belt loaded with white rouge

I posted that I was using a 400 Gator loaded with white and he said he had tried it also and got similar results to using cork.

It gives a semi-buffed finish that is a great base for hand rubbing.
 
I couldn't agree more with the Blaze and Gator combo.
Who has found the most economical place to order both of them from at once?
 
I can't think of a place that carries them both... does Mickley? I was told at Batson's by Pop and them that 3M and Norton wouldn't allow them to carry the other's product or something like that. :confused:
 
Tru-Grit carries them both. You have to give Scott a call, though. (Shhhh.....it's supposed to be a secret.);) 909-923-4116
- Mitch
 
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