OT: Convex edge sharpening

Setting the initial edge on a khuk takes me an EZ-Lap diamond hone, various grits of sandpaper, and about half a six pack of beer. Maintaining the edge is a cinch with a good chakma and a strop. My JKM-1 gets carried and used daily to cut cardboard, rope, plastic bands, etc., and it has just about forgotten what a whetstone looks like. If y'all haven't tried grinding a chakma from an old file yet I highly recommend it. You'll be amazed at how easily and well it'll burnish the edge of a khuk. I'm making up a small one to ride in a tandem scabbard with my JKM-1, a handy and effective means to keep my work knife working.

Sarge
 
Firkin, for practical purposes around the house, and considering how often I sharpened, I couldnt store them wet. The idea of rank water sitting around for months at a time, just wasnt a pleasant idea for me (especially in Mosquito season). Not to mention the slurry. I kept having to fight the urge to wipe it off. The stones worked well when I used them, but I just couldnt get used to them and there were other alternatives to get the same results.
 
I think www.leevalleytools.com has one that's moderately inexpensive. I've never used one though but it may be worth checking out. Dunno where you would get reviews on such a thing though.

I think this is the part # 68Z75.01

I had a closer look. It doesn't come with a motor :(
 
If youre looking for real cheap, try getting one of the cheap hand held belt-sanders with a trigger lock, for about $20 at the hardware store. Thats what Ive been using for now for projects that are to big for me to do by hand. Just lay it on the floor, lock it on, and hold it with your feet (I have a very third world mentality when it comes to finding solutions). Works ok for simple projects. Though Im thinking about upgrading to a $100 combo set-up (cut-off disk and adjustable 3"belt not ideal, but the cheapest they have) at the local Menards. Not the greatest of sanders, but I figure itd maybe easier to work standing around a bench mounted machine, than monkeying around on the floor.
 
I did a search on Google for 1" x 42" belt sanders and found this.

http://www.use-enco.com/mastercat/MachinerySanders.cfm

http://www.use-enco.com/pdfs/112.PDF

Enco used to be a fairly decent product, don't know how they are now.
But the price is right anyway I think.
There were many others, some with a disk on the side for up to $200.00 or so.
That's not really a lot of money when you think about just how much you can tie up with different whetstones and the fancy systems.

Then there's the Grizzly Industries tool's.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/mac...1DFB-F405-466D-9097-A81CAE043CAA&site=grizzly

The Knife Sander is $300.00 and you can make your own knives, let alone sharpen them.:D
It has a 2" x 72" belt and a buffer on the other end of the motor shaft.
I really like mine, just wish I could stand and operate it once again.
I need a high chair with a high back that will fit me.;)
 
Hey Fed,

I gotta say that holding a belt sander with your feet while holding a blade to it with your hands is probably the most productive (as opposed to re-productive) definitions of "monkeying around" I ever seen.:D

As far as the water stones go, I think that the mud or slurry is the a big part of what makes the dang things work the way they do. There's more than one way to get the job done, and some just seem to fit some people better than others. I think the true sharpening master will be able to get a knife sharp with whatever is available. I like to try the various simple and cheap methods that appear so that I may make my admittedly slow journey to towards being a sharpening master. I know that I probably won't reach it. It's fun to try and get there, and occasionally it pays off when I can impress my friends struggling with a dull knife.

OK, I should get a life.:)
 
You folks are nothing less than great! Many thanks Broozer, the Fed and wise Yvsa. I check out all your suggestions and the Enco 1 x 36" looks just about right.

One question though: for $10 more, another Enco model comes with a 5 inch disk sander. Do you think it's worth getting the disk, too, if the objective is to get a 5 inch polishing pad to polish the khuks to a mirror finish?

Much Mahalo again!

Wayne
 
Originally posted by The Big Kahuna
One question though: for $10 more, another Enco model comes with a 5 inch disk sander. Do you think it's worth getting the disk, too, if the objective is to get a 5 inch polishing pad to polish the khuks to a mirror finish?

Much Mahalo again!

Wayne
Click to expand...

Wayne, first thing is to check the availability of what grit sizes you can get for the Enco sander.
I should've mentioned that when I posted it. :rolleyes:

The other thing is the Enco only has a 1/4 horse motor, fine for sharpening, but prolly not for polishing to much, even though it might surprise me.
I would prolly go ahead and get it with the disk for other applications though. They can be mighty handy.:)
 
Just FYI:

Got my 1"x42" Delta Belt/Disc combo sander from Home Depot for $99.

I can get just about any grit belt I want from 24 to 800, felt, cork and leather.

Only thing I wish I could find is 3M or Norax belts for grinding...:(

Dan
 
Originally posted by pendentive
Just FYI:

Got my 1"x42" Delta Belt/Disc combo sander from Home Depot for $99.

I can get just about any grit belt I want from 24 to 800, felt, cork and leather.

Only thing I wish I could find is 3M or Norax belts for grinding...:(

Dan
Click to expand...

This sounds like a better deal as Delta makes a quality product!!!!
My scroll saw is a Delta.:)

And don't sell the little 1" x 42" belt sanders short. I've seen them run 24 hours a day six days a week for months on end with little or no maintainence in a shop atmosphere with inexperienced help!!!!

Dan, I'm sure you've searched the 3M and Norax websites? :footinmou ;)
 
We should start a poll - what do you use to sharpen your khuks?

I'd do it, but either I'm not smart enough to figure out how or my membership isn't sufficiently allustrious.
 
I'd be interested in knowing, too, but don't start a poll. Most of us can't vote. Membership issue, I think.
 
Many thanks, Yvsa and Dan. I'll check around to see if it's easier to mail order the Enco or find the Delta!

Mahalo! Wayne
 
Originally posted by pendentive
Just FYI:

Got my 1"x42" Delta Belt/Disc combo sander from Home Depot for $99.

I can get just about any grit belt I want from 24 to 800, felt, cork and leather.

Only thing I wish I could find is 3M or Norax belts for grinding...:(

Dan
Click to expand...

Dan check out this place. I don't know if they have what you're exactly looking for, but they do have some really neat abrasives!!!!
They also have silicon carbide to 2,500 grit in standard size sheets!!!

http://www.supergrit.com

I just found their ad in an old Blade Mag, haven't ever noticed it before, but didn't know anyone was needing super belts in smaller sizes.:)
 
Yvsa,
Thanks for posting that site.
Pretty good prices, wish they went a little finer in the 2 X 72.
While I use my Grizz for most work, the little 1 X 30 still sees use.
I'll have to get some of those blue zirconias for it.
Regards,
Greg
 
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