leather belts for grinder?

Khukuri Monster

Khukuri Monster

Joined
Aug 4, 2004
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373
I've seen these leather belts which fit on a belt grinder in knifemaking supply catalogs. They are used for honing knives. This is what I'm talking about: http://www.google.com/catalogs?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&issue=24702&catpage=56

I wanted to get one, but they seem to be quite expensive, $35 for a 2x72 belt. So, I was wondering if anyone here has one of these and could tell me how well it works. Right now I just use an old leather strop and it seems to work fine, but is one of these belts worth the extra expense? I imagine it would be easier to hone large knives like a khukuri on it.
 
I turned a worn out 220 grit J-flex belt inside out and put green chrome on it. I've been using it for a couple of years. The only problem is that if you try to polish something other than the edge (like the flat of a blade) it will leave some fine marks in it. Probably where the abrasive is peeking through on the edges. A non abrasive cork belt would be cheaper than leather.

But if you're just honing the edge, try an old belt inside out.

Steve
 
At one point I bought two uncoated J-wt. cloth belts to use for this purpose... however, when I touched the knife to one belt, it broke apart, slapping me in the face several times. I had it rotating the correct direction too, and I was buffing with the knife edge down. Since then I've been too afraid to try out the other uncoated cloth belt.
 
Khukuri Monster said:
At one point I bought two uncoated J-wt. cloth belts to use for this purpose... however, when I touched the knife to one belt, it broke apart, slapping me in the face several times. I had it rotating the correct direction too, and I was buffing with the knife edge down. Since then I've been too afraid to try out the other uncoated cloth belt.
Click to expand...

Ouch!

(You are saying that you were stropping with the belt, right?)
 
http://www.handamerican.com/
Leather belts for any size belt sander. Good folks, lots of sharpening karma here.

Sounds like you got a couple of old belts - the glue dries out in time. I re-glue them with Barge Cement and it works fine.
 
Hey, BiC, when I go to that site, the only place it takes me is to sharpening stones. What am I missin'

Tom
 
there are a few vendors....and they are all around $30. IMHO, it's worth it. However....I haven't purchased the larger size because I have the 1x42 version on my lil' sander. It works just fine. I have no need to go up to a 2x72. In fact, just touched-up the moose knife on it this evening to cut hoses for my car.

If you have a smaller sander, get the smaller size.

If you only have a 2x72, then it's still worth it. Yours will undoubtedly last longer than mine.


Another option is a heavy felt belt. Cheaper, and those who have them swear by 'em.

I've only had 2 belts rip up and slap me....a felt belt and a scotchbrite belt. Both times, my fault, not the belt. But, WOW!!!....sure does get your attention.....:eek: :(
 
Hm, I have a felt belt, I'll have to give it a try.

I was looking through the Jantz Supply catalog some more, they sell 2x72" strips of leather for only $10. Perhaps I could overlap this strip and glue it with some leather cement, to make my own, cheaper, leather belt.

Or, does anyone know a good place to buy leather from? I could actually use some leather to make sheaths, maybe I could buy a large piece and cut some 2x72 strips out of it.

I've had a Norton Norax 150 grit belt actually rip in half, lengthwise, and slap me on the forehead about 5 times before I even realized what was going on and got out of the way. That one left a mark. I must have touched the tip of the knife to the belt somehow, because those belts are pretty tough. Since then I've been a lot more careful!
 
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