Smoothest finish 600 grit Belt

Hankins

Hankins

Joined
Dec 7, 2008
Messages
2,936
Trying to decide between Norton, Hermes, 3M and Klingspor or Silicon carbide Cork
Need to get a great 600 grit scratch pattern for Post-HT___ Pre-Beadblast finish...
Reccomendations?
 
+1 to A30 Gators. Love 'em. You can follow that with a very fine Scotchbrite belt for blending with nice results if needed.
 
For a final fine scratch finish, I do not use a sanding belt. I use a scotch bright belt. They are called "Surface Finishing Belts", because that is what they are made to do. They last a very long time,too. The types and approx grit size scratch are:
coarse - 100
medium - 200
fine - 300
very fine - 400-600
super fine - 800-1000


Most all the knife supply and industrial suppliers carry them in belts as well as hand pads ( great for touch ups and tight places).


TIPS:
When you get the belts, take a large tip Sharpie and mark the grade all over the inside. After use, it can be hard to tell the original color, and the colors may change from batch to batch. Re-mark as needed to keep the identity known. I hate looking at a well used belt and saying, "Is this maroon or brown?" In some cases, blue is used for medium as well as super fine ( At least they both look blue to me).

When not in use, roll up and store in a gallon zip-lok bag or a coffee can. Mark the bag or can with the grit type. This keeps contaminants out of the porous belt. A stray bit of hard metal dust or a piece of 50 grit cubitron belt can make the Scotch-Brite belt leave an unwanted scratch.
 
bladsmth said:
When not in use, roll up and store in a gallon zip-lok bag or a coffee can. Mark the bag or can with the grit type. This keeps contaminants out of the porous belt. A stray bit of hard metal dust or a piece of 50 grit cubitron belt can make the Scotch-Brite belt leave an unwanted scratch.
Click to expand...

Now that is "Tip of the Month" right there:)
 
Hankins said:
Trying to decide between Norton, Hermes, 3M and Klingspor or Silicon carbide Cork
Need to get a great 600 grit scratch pattern for Post-HT___ Pre-Beadblast finish...
Reccomendations?
Click to expand...

I would suggest trying out a variety of belts yourself, and stick with the one that works best for you. Too many variables to give you an absolute answer. Depends a lot on what steel(s) you grind, how hard your knives are, and your grinding style.

Personally, I like the 3M micron belts for finishing, I can't get anywhere with the "structured" belts, but, that's just me. I have discussed topics like this with many knifemakers, have NEVER found two that followed exactly the same procedure.
 
All my grinds are FreeHand... Like the control it gives
Steel will be D2 and ATS34 with a Hollow grind Main bevel
Suggestions on a 600 grit belt for those parameters???

Great advice Stacy as I have My GO-To Scotchbrite belt. Have to keep Re-Gluing at the seam because it doesn't like small wheels very much. IE: 2-4" wheels sometimes 3/4" wheel.
Any suggestions on a Scotchbrite belt that will Hold together?
 
I like those Gators a lot, they leave a nice even finish, but has anyone else had a lot of frustration trying to use those belts around your plunge line? The abrasive is raised up and doesn't seem to get the plunge at all. Maybe its my technique or thicker stock. I tried a Norton version and its shaped more like a normal belt so it seems to get in there better. If I do a satin finish knife i use the scotchbrite belts for a final finish too, seems to be a pretty forgiving belt.
 
I have never had a Scotch Brite belt come apart. I run mine over 2" wheels. Don't set the tension too tight. Maybe you are pulling them apart. 3M will replace any belt that pops apart at the seam. It is virtually impossible to repair a belt and have it hold up.
 
45X or 30X Norton Norax belt. I've tried the gator belts and I like these way better. When I am ready for this fine of a finish the last thing I want is a deeper gouge. I use a lot of extremely wear resistant steels so I really want to polish the plunge area well as those scratches are tough to get rid of. The difference between a Gator and a Norax is that the Norax is very flexible and the Gator is not nor is it meant to be. Both give an excellent finish. If you are a guy that likes the real "square" plunge or the extremely swept plunges, a Gator may be better. I like to wrap the Norax around the platen and get a nice radiused plunge.
 
Like the Radiused plunge as it looks more Handmade to me...
Although I do like the gators for everything else but the plunge area.
Have to try both
Stacy Thanks i will send it back to 3M and see what happens!
 
FYI.. I have 4 new, never used Klingspor belts that have come apart at the seam. I called Klingspor and their reply was a polite "sorry". I have lots of older
cheaper belts that have seen a lot of use and are still going strong.
 
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