What Fine Grit Belts do you like?

Maelstrom78 · Oct 7, 2015

I've been getting pretty good at doing the majority of my handle finishing on the grinder. Combo of wheels and slack belt etc.

I's like to get belts all the way to 800+ on your recommendation. I like the J-flex but I only have them up to 220 so far. I tried some other ones that were a dark brown/reddish and they had a horrible splice with huge belt bump. I also ordered one from Trugrit that seemed like it had a plastic backing that was around 1000. I learned that I had to reduce the belt tension on that but it seemed to work fine.

Klingspor J-flex? 3M cubitron? 3M micron belts?

Thanks Guys!

javand · Oct 7, 2015

I buy blue hermes 400 j-flexes, and Awuko 800s (flexible) from Pop.

I've also recently been getting some 1200 grit scrim backed deerfos belts lately and like them also.

Micron belts are good IMHO for doing final metal finishes but you've got to be very careful on handle material with them because they've got very sharp edges that'll cut groves in handle material and fittings.

I typically don't go beyond 800 grit on handle material though, sometimes not beyond 220/400 depending on how sensitive the material is, typically hand finish after that. This usually doesn't take long.

Rhinoknives1 · Oct 7, 2015

I take them up to120 with Ceramic and then go to the Cork belts i get from Scott at true grit. I go 220-400-800 cork. I use Green Chrome on the 800 corks. A trick I learned from the Late RW Loveless.

Try the cork. I get a fine satin finish whick id perfect for a Chef/Working knives.

Daniel Rohde · Oct 7, 2015

Rhinoknives1 said:
I take them up to120 with Ceramic and then go to the Cork belts i get from Scott at true grit. I go 220-400-800 cork. I use Green Chrome on the 800 corks. A trick I learned from the Late RW Loveless.

Try the cork. I get a fine satin finish whick id perfect for a Chef/Working knives.

How fast do you run the cork belts? I have heard allot about cork belts, do any knife making videos talk about them?

Rhinoknives1 · Oct 7, 2015

Don't know about any Vids?

When I got them years ago I just experimented for what works for me.
I use about 3/4 and 1/2 speed for the final passes. I use lite - medium pressure. Once again wear a Resperator and eye protection. You will look like a Maritain from the Green Chrome compound.

Also I dunk them before each pass and watch for heat build up.

javand · Oct 7, 2015

You use cork belts with green chrome on handle material? What I got from the OP was that he was asking about what to use for handles, not steel.

Bob Ohlemann · Oct 8, 2015

I also like the Hermes J-flex belts in 220 to 600 grits. They have the best splice for that type of belt. I don't think they go beyond 600 grit though. For me, once I'm at 600 grit, hand sanding is just as fast as machine sanding.

Bob

Robert Erickson · Oct 8, 2015

I use 80 and 120 grit AO belts from Trugrit or Pop's to do the general shaping of the handle and then go to hand sanding from there. I use Rhynowet Redline for hand sanding. I just like the slower pace/more control of hand sanding. I feel like I'm more likely to over sand or burn the wood if I stay on the grinder too long.

Maelstrom78 · Oct 8, 2015

Thanks guys. I'll order an array of the Hermes grits and give them a whirl.

I do have the Trugrit corks from 400-1000 and I do like the finish they put on. I do the green chrome compound as well and it does fling around the joint! I go back and forth over whether to just use the Gator belts or the corks. I've been using a A100 to take the scratches out from a 100grit Cubitron II then going to A65 before HT. Anyone try the cork in 220 for removing like 100 grit scratches?

I dug out the fine grit scotch brite belt for my 2x42 and have been liking it. I should order a fine one for my 2x72 as well. Light pressure is the way to go if you don't want to wash out your blade lines. I read here that someone even used them for a finish on their handle as well as blade/bolsters.

I really started to concentrate on using the grinder (especially the slack belt portion 400 and above) trying to get a clean 800 or 1000 grit finish on black paper micarta. That stuff shows everything! I made a felt tipped "finger" to use behind the slack belt to put pressure where needed on those areas holding on to a scratch or two.