Kalamazoo 1x42 Belt Sander

H

hudak

Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
200
Cannot recommend this enough. I posted a thread a while back about which "power" tool to buy for sharpening. I was going to get the paper wheels until I discovered my bench grinder was a 3450 RPM unit. I didn't want to buy a second grinder so I opted for the Kalamazoo instead. I use a 220 belt and then a leather belt with white compound. In less than one minute a knife is shaving sharp. I even did my hatchet and ax....also shaving sharp in a minute or less. This thing is incredible. Although hand sharpening is a great skill to have I wasted A LOT of hours fiddling with stones, the sharpmaker, edgepro, sandpaper, etc..I wish I have bought this years ago. Seriously it is worth every penny and more.
 
Thanks for the review! I've looked at these for a possible addition to the sharpening arsenal. Guess I may just have to buy one now ;)
 
Mine has been working like a champ for the past three years... Other than the little plastic belt tension nob falling off I haven't had so much as a hiccup. A few drops of super glue fixed that.
 
This is on my list for my next "knife" buy, thanks for the review. From 220 straight to leather? Wow!

Did you get it local or off the net?
 
Works awesome, doesn't it?

I actually use that 220/leather edge a fair bit as well. When I sharpen down at the local place, I have several clients that swear by it for their skinning knives. I personally prefer a polished edge, but if they like that edge and how it performs for them, I'll be happy to put it on their knives!

The belt does not give as technically *precise* an edge as one of the hand-guided systems like the EP or the WEPS, but nothing can beat it for versatility and speed! The paper wheels can match it for speed and edge quality in the right hands (Richard, good lord) but for versatility it's darn hard to beat. If you haven't had a broken tip come in yet, you're in for a treat. Drop to a 60 or 80-grit ceramic belt, and watch that steel vanish. :D
 
I've been using this setup for years with excellent results on all my knives. No more fighting to bring a dull edge back, all you need is couple of minutes and your done.
 
It's awesome, huh? I'm thinking about getting a grinder with a large contact wheel in the future, but for sharpening alone, the 1sm is perfect.
 
Albert Edmonds said:
Mine has been working like a champ for the past three years... Other than the little plastic belt tension nob falling off I haven't had so much as a hiccup. A few drops of super glue fixed that.
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I have been doing all my knifemaking on this grinder. Love it.
 
After lots of struggling with misc, Lansky's, Stones, other methods of knife sharpening I finally found the best yet. The Kalamazoo belt sander has me digging out old knives just to put a wicked edge on them. This litterly makes it border line easy to get shaving sharp results every time, and as the OP said, always under 10 minutes per knife.

I also have paper wheels, I can get to razor sharp easily with these to. However the versatility of the Kalamazoo is much better. If you're struggling getting nice edges get the Kali.
IMAG1295-1.jpg
 
Awesome I've been thinking of getting this exact machine, now I guess its a must have. I'm guessing this would be a good starter grinder for knifemaking as a hobby?
 
jwolf90 said:
Awesome I've been thinking of getting this exact machine, now I guess its a must have. I'm guessing this would be a good starter grinder for knifemaking as a hobby?
Click to expand...

I would advise you to do so. Mine has paid for itself many times over.
 
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