I'm A Believer - Scotchbrite Belts

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Messages
5,179
Been toying with the idea of doing a Scotchbrite finish on some less-than-highend knives and picked up a couple yesterday. Dang! What nice work! They put a great finish on the blade (assuming satin is what you're going for) in a big hurry, without washing out the grind lines, which was my initial concern.

I also used it to clean up a hammer face, which came out beautifully.

Added side effect, the machine runs so quietly with the Scotchbrite belt on it...I may not want to take it off. :D
 
Dave, thanks for the advice. I haven't tried the belts you mention, maybe I should talk to Mrs. Claus. Your machine(s) run like silk, and I can see why you like those belts!
 
Originally posted by Patrick Nihiser
Dave,at what grit do you stop before you go to the scotchbrite?
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I'm not Dave, but it would depend on the scotchbrite belt. They come in three flavors. Course(maroon), medium(blue), and super fine(gray). On the course, I guess you could use them right after a 120 grit, the medium after a 220, etc.
I don't like using them to cover up grinding marks, or to cut corners, but to blend in the grinding marks, or to take a blades finish down a little, so on a super fine(gray)I go up to 600 grit, and then use the scotchbrite. The super fine will blend in coarser grit finishes though. It's just something you have to play with.
 
What Mike said. I used a maroon belt over a 400 grit finish and it blended everything very well. Pretty! I was concerned whether the coarse grit would be too much, but it looks pretty darn good. Makes me want to try the finer grits though!

Money money money!

Dave
 
Dave, I heard of one maker who used white buffing compound to rub on his scotchbrite belt. He said it produced a really neat finish. I haven't tried this myself, but it sounds interesting. You can always wash the compound out of the belt if you didn't like it.
I can't remember who the maker was, or which flavor the belt was.:confused:, as usual. ;)
 
Originally posted by John Andrews
Dave, thanks for the advice. I haven't tried the belts you mention, maybe I should talk to Mrs. Claus. Your machine(s) run like silk, and I can see why you like those belts!
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John: You have been a BAD BOY you are getting coal in your socking and if Mrs. Clause doesn't have any please advise, I'll send some free of charge.;) ;) ;)
 
IG, you are all heart! And don't worry, I'm not gonna let her read your post reply, Mr. Rascal! Dave, those belts work pretty quick, too?
 
I am just starting out but I really like the SB belts also. I don't know right or wrong, but I use a blue after rough grind and before HT to get an idea of where I am going. I also use a blue after 400 and am happy with it.

Tom
 
Dave,

I've done a few finishes with the scotch-bright on S30V and ATS-34. Came out real nice.

I sold two of those wide kitchen knives in S30V. Gave the price and told them it would be a very nice machine finish. However, on that wide of a blade and S30V I couldn't make it work. Something about not enough pressure.

Ended up with hand rubbed finishes after all. Of course I couldn't change the price.


Steve
 
Dave, I've been using the scotchbrite finish on my working knives for awhile now. I go to 600 grit and then use the grey (ultra fine, about $15.00 from Pop's Supplies) belt. Then I spray the blade with WD-40 and go over it again. It doesn't hurt the belt but seems to "float" the blade on the belt and give an even finer finish, quickly and easily. Give it a try, you'll like it.
 
I've been using the blue after a 400g on S60V and 154cm. I also have liked the results. Mostly using this finish on my user/entry level pieces. Then I hand sand the flats to 400g/600g which makes for a really great finish couse it returns the grind lines to crisp.
Now, I've been toying with the idea of getting a scotchbrite wheel to place on my surface grinder to do the flats. Only thing stopping me there is the arbor hole size of the wheels, 1" or 3" . The arbor on my surface grinder is 1 1/4" . Not enough meat left if I bore out a 1" and if I use a 3" I would have to make a flange adapter which I don't know if I would want to do cause the time and money involved in making one if the whole idea didn't work or look good. Comments?
 
I discovered these belts a few months ago and have been very happy with them. I generally use the blue one after 220grit, then move to the grey belt, then hand sand to 400 or 600 grit depending on the knife and its intended use.

This has really cut down on hand sanding time for me.

I haven't yet left a blade just with a scotchbrite finish but J. Neilson's idea of using WD-40 is something I really have to try. He mentioned this a couple of months ago and I've always meant to try it. This sounds like a good idea if you are going to leave your blade with a scotchbrite finish.

Sean
 
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