Shaping soft handle with hard liner

[Stark Knives]

I'm working on a knife with a "soft" resin handle and copper liner. Obviously the copper will grind much slower so does anyone have any tips to make sure the contours will be smooth?

 

[A.McPherson]

use a hard backer when hand sanding... other that that I really don't know!

 

[Frank Niro]

When using a belt grinder make sure the belts are new or darn near until you get a little more time in to know better and as well don't skip any grits, say 120,220, 400, 600.
Frank

 

[Stark Knives]

When using a belt grinder make sure the belts are new or darn near until you get a little more time in to know better and as well don't skip any grits, say 120,220, 400, 600.
Frank

Yeah usually I just go 80 and then 120 before hand sanding. Slack belt with a scalloped jflex probably wouldn't be the best idea I'd assume right?

 

[AVigil]

The problem with copper is it will heat up FAST while grinding.

The technique that works for me is I grind with a 36 grit belt on a medium speed. The high grit will remove the material with less heat generation. I use 36 as far as I can, then switch to 100, 220 then 400.


Here is how it turns out

 

[Tom Lewis]

Thanks for the picture. Nice knife!
A rotary platen can help this kind of grinding.