New Work Sharp KO Belts from Darex/Work Sharp - have you tried them?

Rolex John · Jul 18, 2014

I found out there were some new belts available to order direct from the WorkSharpTools website (the company is owned by Darex). Here's what I ordered:

12000 | Ultra Fine | KO Knife & Tool Sharpener PP0002947 2 $5.90
3600 | Fine | KO Knife & Tool Sharpener PP0002945 2 $5.90
X5 Fine Grit Abrasive Belt Specialty Series ¾" x 12" PP0003157 1 $3.95
6000 | Extra Fine | KO Knife & Tool Sharpener PP0002946 2 $5.90

The 6000 isn't a new grit, but it's new available in a full-width size, as opposed to the skinny one that comes with the WSKO. I haven't tried them yet - has anyone?

cbwx34 · Jul 18, 2014

I've used the 12000 on the BGA... I like it.

A lot of the belts that are in the chart AF Austin posted...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1151537-New-Belts-Available-for-Work-Sharp-Ken-Onion-Ed?p=13166878#post13166878

... are available with a phone call. I got some of the coarse 80g (for the BGA, but also avail. in 3/4x12) that are better than the 120 for doing "grunt" work. Something to consider adding, if you have the need (save some shipping costs).

Rolex John · Jul 18, 2014

Boy that's quite the eye chart. Any way to get the actual speadsheet file?

cbwx34 · Jul 18, 2014

You'll have to ask AF Austin..... (or zoom in).

bgentry · Jul 18, 2014

As you can see by looking at the chart, there are several different classes of belts available. Three of the four belts you bought are from Micro Mesh. Unfortunately, Micro Mesh has their own rating system, which doesn't correspond to any grit rating system I'm aware of. I often wonder why companies do things like that. The chart here should show you the equivalent values of the belts you bought. The 6000 for example is NOT the same as the original 6000 belt. It's more like 1700 grit give or take.

The X5 belt you bought is a Norton and is from the stiff backing series. It's a much thicker belt which provides a more stable surface for grinding, which does not conform to the edge bevel as much as the regular belts. I *LOVE* the stiff backed belts. I've stopped using almost any other belts, other than the very low grit (60 and 80 grit). I've had great results with the X200, X100, X22, and X5.

Good luck to you with your new belts. I highly recommend the set of stiff belts if you like how the X5 performs.

Brian.

Rolex John · Jul 21, 2014

bgentry said:
As you can see by looking at the chart, there are several different classes of belts available. Three of the four belts you bought are from Micro Mesh. Unfortunately, Micro Mesh has their own rating system, which doesn't correspond to any grit rating system I'm aware of. I often wonder why companies do things like that. The chart here should show you the equivalent values of the belts you bought. The 6000 for example is NOT the same as the original 6000 belt. It's more like 1700 grit give or take.

The X5 belt you bought is a Norton and is from the stiff backing series. It's a much thicker belt which provides a more stable surface for grinding, which does not conform to the edge bevel as much as the regular belts. I *LOVE* the stiff backed belts. I've stopped using almost any other belts, other than the very low grit (60 and 80 grit). I've had great results with the X200, X100, X22, and X5.

Good luck to you with your new belts. I highly recommend the set of stiff belts if you like how the X5 performs.

Brian.

Brian - I finally used them Sunday. A couple of items to note:

You're absolutely correct - the X5 was the best of the bunch and is both thicker and works better than the others.

The other three belts were NOT marked. Without the above chart which provides some belt colors, I would not have been able to determine which belt was which.

So where does one buy more of the Norton style belts which are compatible with the WSKO?

bgentry · Jul 21, 2014

Rolex John said:
Brian - I finally used them Sunday. A couple of items to note:

You're absolutely correct - the X5 was the best of the bunch and is both thicker and works better than the others.

The other three belts were NOT marked. Without the above chart which provides some belt colors, I would not have been able to determine which belt was which.

So where does one buy more of the Norton style belts which are compatible with the WSKO?

Glad you liked the Stiff X5. I use it a lot and it's holding up fine. The other Norton Norax belts are available from WorkSharp (Darex) via phone or the web site. On the web site they will be labeled as "stiff precision" belts. You can also find that in the chart above and reference them by part number like you did in your original post.

I have the stiff X200, X100, X22, and X5. I actually had not intended to get the X100; I ordered the X65, but they sent me an X100 instead. Now I use the X100 probably more than any other belt, so it was a really good mistake. I'd still like to have the X65 too, but only for doing very toothy edges for things like filet knives. I've experimented with the X100 for this, but I'd like to have the X65 too to see the differences. The X65 is NOT needed when going from X100 to X22. Just do 5 or 6 passes on the X22 and the scratch pattern from the X100 is *gone*.

Finally, note that the belts that came with the WSKO from the factory are mostly Norax. The X65, X22, and X4 belts are all Norax, but they are the normal weight backing, not the stiff ones. So you already have some idea of how they will perform. The X100 grinds off metal at a good pace. The X200 is a great combination of VERY abrasive yet it leaves a scratch pattern that's not too crazy. I think it cuts roughly like an 80 grit belt, but leaves a finish more like 120 to 150.

I'm sure I'm boring everyone by now so I'll stop.

Brian.

bgentry · Jul 21, 2014

You didn't ask, but I got to thinking: What would I buy if I knew all of this and was starting from scratch, and had the stock belts?

1 60 grit ceramic
1 80 grit ceramic (optional)
2 Stiff X200 Norax
2 Stiff X100 Norax
1 Stiff X65 Norax
1 Stiff X22 Norax
1 Stiff X5 Norax
1 6000 grit 1/2" belt (only because my original seemed to deform and begin wearing out after just a few uses. Optional.)

I might adjust the quantities differently if I was doing a different mix of blades. For my use, this would hold me for a good long time. Probably more than a year. ...and I'm saying that after having sharpened around 110 blades on my WSKO in about 8 months.

Brian.

cbwx34 · Jul 23, 2014

Darex (WorkSharp) sent me a better sheet (hopefully a little easier to read)

...

Czechmate · Oct 7, 2014

bgentry said:
You didn't ask, but I got to thinking: What would I buy if I knew all of this and was starting from scratch, and had the stock belts?

1 60 grit ceramic
1 80 grit ceramic (optional)
2 Stiff X200 Norax
2 Stiff X100 Norax
1 Stiff X65 Norax
1 Stiff X22 Norax
1 Stiff X5 Norax
1 6000 grit 1/2" belt (only because my original seemed to deform and begin wearing out after just a few uses. Optional.)

I might adjust the quantities differently if I was doing a different mix of blades. For my use, this would hold me for a good long time. Probably more than a year. ...and I'm saying that after having sharpened around 110 blades on my WSKO in about 8 months.

Brian.

Are these ordered direct from Darex or somewhere else? I need to get more belts! :thumbup:

bgentry · Oct 7, 2014

^ Yes, directly from Darex. You can find most of the belts on the web site, but for some reason several of the stiff belts (that I like) aren't listed on the site. No problem though, just call Darex directly and ask to place an order. Use the chart above for reference and order by part number. When I called to order I got a very helpful and patient agent on the phone, but me describing the belts like "22 micron Norax stiff belt" didn't help him a lot. When I gave him the part number and asked to verify the wording, he was able to find it quickly and verify what I was ordering. Even with that, I got one belt wrong, which actually turned out to be a good thing as I like the mistaken belt a lot (the stiff X100).

Be prepared for flying grit from the X200 and X100 the first couple of times you use them. Also be prepared for incredible grinding speed and coarse finish from the 60 grit if you decide to get it.

Best of luck to you!

Brian.

Czechmate · Oct 9, 2014

bgentry said:
^ Yes, directly from Darex. You can find most of the belts on the web site, but for some reason several of the stiff belts (that I like) aren't listed on the site. No problem though, just call Darex directly and ask to place an order. Use the chart above for reference and order by part number. When I called to order I got a very helpful and patient agent on the phone, but me describing the belts like "22 micron Norax stiff belt" didn't help him a lot. When I gave him the part number and asked to verify the wording, he was able to find it quickly and verify what I was ordering. Even with that, I got one belt wrong, which actually turned out to be a good thing as I like the mistaken belt a lot (the stiff X100).

Be prepared for flying grit from the X200 and X100 the first couple of times you use them. Also be prepared for incredible grinding speed and coarse finish from the 60 grit if you decide to get it.

Best of luck to you!

Brian.

Thanks Brian, that's awesome input. I do find the stock p120 grit belt that's included with the KOWS is too slow/not aggressive enough once used a few times so maybe a 60 grit one is what I need...

:thumbup:

Evan

bgentry · Oct 9, 2014

Czechmate said:
I do find the stock p120 grit belt that's included with the KOWS is too slow/not aggressive enough once used a few times so maybe a 60 grit one is what I need... :thumbup:

Using a belt cleaner *seemed* to keep it cutting faster for me, but I completely agree: The P120 is not fast enough for blades that need a lot of grinding. My preference now is mostly the stiff X200 belt. According to Norton's literature, it cuts somewhere between an 80 and 120 grit belt. I think it cuts very close to the speed of an 80 but leaves a finer finish than an 80 would. So sorta like an 80 grit belt that leaves behind a 120 grit finish.

The 60 grit ceramic is extremely aggressive. It makes sort of unpleasant sounds when you use it as the big particles dig into the metal. It's the only belt I've used that, with medium pressure on a medium speed, can make sparks. Not a lot and you can control it, but that tells you something. For big jobs the 60 really hogs the metal off. It leaves behind an extremely rough scratch pattern and if your angle control is off a bit, you'll end up with scratches on your blade. I'm really glad I have one, but I don't use it on everything. I hope you enjoy your new belts!

Brian.