Safety with Scotch-Brite belts

ashwinearl

ashwinearl

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
558
I've read about the safety issues associated with Scotch Brite belts and grabbing the blade tip. When you present the knife to the belt, do you still do it edge up in the typical position when grinding bevels.

When doing flats, is vertical on the platen with tip down held by a magnet with handle controllable?

Thanks
 
Personally, I NEVER polish on scotch brite belts with the edge up. I don't think they're quite as dangerous as buffers, but they will definitely grab blades, and I've had blades thrown before. You also need to be careful not to present the tip of the blade into the moving belt, as this can easily catch as well. On thin kitchen knives, the blade heel can catch as well. So just be careful. They're wonderful things, though.

I've done some grinding on these belts with magnets... Yes, with too much pressure, I've launched a blade or two.
 
I've always used them edge up like any other belt. I always use a light touch and haven't had an issue. If you grind like a gorilla with them I could see possibly having a problem
 
I grind on a 18 inch wheel and when I go to scotchbrite, I put it on my 10 inch machine. No problems there.
 
only now and then do i have catches but not so bad as to pull the knife from my hand (i feel like the edge up/edge down woudl make no difference) mind you im talking kitchen knives and razors
 
I use them lengthwise on kitchen knives with a 8' wheel. Tip down and careful near the heel.
 
I do the same as E. Carlson only with a 12" wheel. For knives with a plunge, I usually use a worn cork belt with compound, but If i use a scotch brite, I hold it edge up. The only pain I've experienced with scotchbrite belts is the wicked static electricity they generate in the winter. Light's me up like Frankenstein's monster.
 
I go edge down. I edged up on a wharnie and I found the knife embedded in the floor right by my foot.
Also they do not like your skin either...LOL
 
I run edge up but slow the speed down quite a bit and don’t lean in hard. I also use extra care around the tip area. So far I haven’t had one grab. I do everything edge up though because I find I need to see the plunge in relation to the belt edge. If I go edge down I can’t see the plunge location as well and when just using scotchbrite on the bevel, I find I have more risk of running past the plunge and making a mark on the ricasso. I also find that if I am doing something like forged flats and a satin bevel, running edge up prevents little scratches from forming on the flats just above the transition. When I tried edge down I found that I was getting a bit of belt flex above the contact point which washed out the crisp transition.
 
for those that insist on edge down, doesn't the chance of the piece catching and throwing live edge towards you cancel out the safety vs. edge up which would throw the piece spine first at you?
 
When starting out edge down. When you feel very comfortable and sure of holding your flats edge up is nice. It takes a light touch and good feel.
 
Screw scotch brite belts. In my shop they get contaminated way to easy and have screwed up a finish more then once.

I use and swear by cork belts with no compound. You will get a better finish and they do not wash out a grind like a SB belt.
 
that is a valid point about washing out grinds (im plungless most the time ) also i like to load the SB belts with buffing compound. refines the finish faster and lets the belt slide over the blade a bit better. side bennie is that if your working carbon steel it leaves a light waxy finish on the blade
 
I guess I don’t see the point of going edge up... At least when doing edge down would work just as well and not have any issues. I’ve always done edge down and not had a problem.
 
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