INFI Sharpens like stainless.

12Bravo

12Bravo

Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
1,113
I was in a sharpening mood today and decided to sharpen my HOGFSH. I pulled out my trusty 1x30 belt sander and had a go at INFI for the first time. Sharpening INFI reminded me of sharpening stainless steel in the fact that I hardly had any sparks in contrast to my BK16 were a got a huge shower of sparks. The HOGFSH sharpened up nicely. I started out with an 80 grit belt then moved up to a 120 grit belt. After the belts I used a fine diamond stone to start to remove the burr, I then finished with an Arkansas stone and a leather strop. The edge is now a little more gradual and more symmetrical.

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That looks great man! Thick blades ain't easy to sharpen either. Excellent work.
 
The belt sander is the way to go.
Why didn't you finish with an 800, 1000 or 1200 grit?
 
Why didn't you finish with an 800, 1000 or 1200 grit?
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Why? Because I don't have those grits yet :p I have been wanting to pick some up from Lee Valley. I think I could get a super polished edge with those. I also have a 1x30 leather belt, but you have to have a really light touch or you will dull the edge. I prefer to strop by hand.
 
That looks great man! Thick blades ain't easy to sharpen either. Excellent work.
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Thanks man. It's one of those things where I really sucked at it for a long time. I would burn up blades, loose tips and do a really uneven grind....all cheap blades of course. Then one day it seems like I just got the hang of it. I gave up for a while and started to sharpen by hand, I figured I would do less damage that way. Sharpening by hand really got me used to holding the edge steady. Then one day I pulled out the old 1x30 and it seemed natural.
 
12Bravo said:
Why? Because I don't have those grits yet :p I have been wanting to pick some up from Lee Valley. I think I could get a super polished edge with those. I also have a 1x30 leather belt, but you have to have a really light touch or you will dull the edge. I prefer to strop by hand.
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OK, I got ya. I also have a leather belt that I refuse to use because of the same reason.
I usually stop between 600 to 1200 depending how coarse I want the edge and strop by hand.
 
I am still using some from my first batch but they are long over due. If you use them just for sharpening my guess would be dozens upon dozens of blades. I have used them for polishing so there life has been cut short. They say when they "cup" its time to change them but I have used them well beyond that. As they wear down you have to make adjustments, a 1000 is more like 800, 600 is more like 320 ect.
 
I use a 2"x48" belt sander, with rehostat to slow it down, especially with the leather belt. Most of the time I only go up to 400 grit then to leather, seems to cut better. No platen on grinder, but with the leather, I hold closer to the wheel so there is less slack.

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I've also noticed that infi sharpens like stainless. I sharpened my condor machete which, as usual, throws sparks. Then I put my b11 on the sander for a light reprofile and saw very few. What I've noticed is that is typically as you progress through the higher grits and are knocking off the burr.
 
Nice job on the RMD. In order for me to use the leather belt I have to have a light touch, I do keep the platen but sharpen right above it to keep the least amount of slack on the belts.
 
When I try to sharpen against the platen on my HF, it chatters badly. Do you have that problem?
 
When I try to sharpen against the platen on my HF, it chatters badly. Do you have that problem?
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I also have a HF and I had the same problem. I adjusted the platen so it is more flat against the belt, that helped a lot. I also notice it less when there is less slack. I have also heard of people gluing a piece of leather to the platen to help minimize the chatter although I have never tried it.
 
resinguy said:
When I try to sharpen against the platen on my HF, it chatters badly. Do you have that problem?
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Same here. It is completely worthless with the platen. Either to grind, or sharpen.

Another member showed me the trick of leather glued against the platen. You have to replace it as it wears out, he said.

I will have to try it some time.
 
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