Question for those with a belt grinder...

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
I have been sharpening with a belt for over 15 years.....lately, VG10 and ZDP are getting chips DURING the sharpening process...never seen this before,,,,I am using Klingspor belts, 120 grit and higher.

Anyone else having this issue? What is it?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I've seen some shredding on Shun's SG2 steel, using 3M's 320 grit mylar belts. I've also seen chipping on Chicago's Insignia 2 forged knives. Since I'm *extremely* careful not to overheat an edge, I just chalk it up to high shear forces associated with aggressive grits. It doesn't happen with the finer grits.
 
are you recommending, say, 220 grit, or higher than that?...I can go up to 800, then to the 3M films.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I sharpen on 240 and finer, and I stopped using Klingspor belts a long time ago. For fine work and sharpening, I much prefer (and think I get better results with) structured abrasive belts, like 3M Trizact. For hogging and heavy work I've mostly gone to 3M Regalite and Cubitron.

Your results may vary, but next time you put in a belt order, I'd urge you to at least pick up one of the higher end 3M belts in the grits you use most often and see if you don't think it's worth the money. I usually get mine from Tru-Grit, Sheffield, or TKS.

Anyway, with the Trizacts, no chipping on VG-10, S30V, or anything else I've sharpened. I just got my first piece of ZDP, and haven't redone the factory edge yet, so I can't comment there. I do heavy edge resetting with a 120 grit 3M (Cubitron, I think, without being in the shop) and I haven't had any trouble there either.

The Klingspor belts are OK, but I got tired of just "OK". :)
 
are you recommending, say, 220 grit, or higher than that?...I can go up to 800, then to the 3M films.

I'd say just let the steel tell you what it needs. Go too high a grit too soon and you waste a lot of money on belts. You can easily clean up small chips when you finish the edge.
 
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