So I started stripping my knife

[230grains]

I think you made the right decision if you are uncomfortable. I would not try it with out a lot of practice. That is why I mess around on $20 machetes

I have no doubt that norcal will do an outstanding job.

I finally came up with what I like best for cork belts which I do not think I am sticking with. On to try something else. I just think if your can sharpen you knife on a belt sander you can do this yourself after practice.

You seem like a do-it-yourself kind of guy:thumbup:

I will get up a pic of what I came up with cork belts in a few.

Basically, I was lacking the right tools. I have my platen off the sander for convexing, and when I put it on I ended up just chattering the blade above the primary bevel, and that was just using a 15 micron belt. As soon as I saw the chatter marks on the metal, I just said screw it and didn't want to experiment anymore on it. I need to pick up some cheap machetes to practice on for sure, and I need some better belts. I just have an 80 grit, 220, 320, 15 micron and leather with .5 micron compound. Works great for convexing and sharpening, but not for stripping.

 

[resinguy]

Yeah, that chatter on the platen is a PITA. I should try Peter's trick of glueing leather to the platen, see if that helps.

That set of belts sounds pretty good. I was thinking of getting one coarser than 80 for really hogging off metal.

 

[230grains]

Whats funny is, I run the sander with the side shield off, and the top shield off. I switch belts so much it's a real PITA to keep taking everything off. It was never a problem until I glued the leather to the platen. As soon as I did that, my 15 micron belt FLEW off the sander into my face as soon as the blade touched it. Wearing safety glasses, it wasn't a big deal, so I tried it again.. Sure enough, right in the face. I think that's when I finally said screw it.

As for coarser grits, i've considered it, but what I really want is something to bridge the gap between 320 grit and 15 micron. Sometimes 15 micron isn't really enough to sharpen a damaged edge, but 320 is a bit too much. I really need more belts.

 

[richstag]

Yeah, that chatter on the platen is a PITA. I should try Peter's trick of glueing leather to the platen, see if that helps.

That set of belts sounds pretty good. I was thinking of getting one coarser than 80 for really hogging off metal.

I am going to try that also. The only time I have a problem with this is when I try to use the belts with the paper thin backing. The zirc belts 40-120 are great as are the 180-plain cork belts for this.

Still going to try the leather thing just to see what it is all about.