What sanding stick is the best?

Linus Knives

Linus Knives

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Hey everyone, I've seen some older threads on this topic but I'm looking for some up-to-date info because I know there's a good amount of options.
So, i've been using an old stick for hand sanding for a while but i'm not sure it would get as good lines as a nice sanding stick/block.
What are the current best options for hand sanding these days? I want to get good crips lines...
Thanks in advance, Linus
 
I use the ones from Orion Knife Works. Easy to use, easy on the hands and they work really well.
 
depends on the surface shape. I have various sanding backers for paper/diamond film. If it's a concave (hollow) ground surface I have a matched radius sanding block, the "Sanding buddy" from KH Daily. I usually start with cut up worn 120 grit x weight belts (shows me if I have and irregularities in the finish off the grinder, removes material rather rapidly, even hardened S90V, and give em one last chance to prove their worth) followed by N-series stones from Falcon. Then paper/diamond film to refine the scratch pattern. I also use Rubber erasers (the block kind) to match the contour, works well, but is not the most comfortable.

For flat surfaces I use everything from a micarta stick to wooden dowel rods, chainsaw files and some sanding blocks with different backings (steel, cork, leather, double leather.)
 
Great! I bought a set of falcons EDM Stones from usaknifmaker to try out.
 
For course grits (320-400) I use a metal bar with a serpentine belt glued to it. Finer grits I use a KH Daily sanding buddy with printer blanket glued to it. EDM stones for specific problem areas.
 
EDM stones save so much time! I picked up an air profiler, still gotta set up my compressor, but I want to try the EDM in the profiler! I use Micarta with leather on it as a sanding "stick"; one side is rounded to match my 36" Radius platen and the other is flat. I just got a 12" rubber contact wheel, so I gotta make another radius one now!
 
I found the edm stones Usaknifemaker sells to be less than ideal. The N series stones from Falcon are much better...scratch erasers I have heard them called.
 
navman said:
I found the edm stones Usaknifemaker sells to be less than ideal. The N series stones from Falcon are much better...scratch erasers I have heard them called.
Click to expand...
uhoh... I was going to buy the ones from falcon but they wanted like $20 for shipping and you can only buy the stones in 12 packs...
 
Don't be put off. They may work for you.falcon does sell multi grit sampler kits as well.
 
navman said:
Don't be put off. They may work for you.falcon does sell multi grit sampler kits as well.
Click to expand...
yeah, I saw those. That's what I was going to get but then I saw the shipping price and didn't feel like paying almost as much for shipping as the stones cost.
So I want to make sure I like them and then I'll go all out and buy some 12 packs from falcon. I hope the usaknifemaker ones are a decent idea of what they'll be like...
 
I use some CBright brand ones from the big river site. They are orange and less scratchy than the ones from usa knifemakers. Good way to try them for cheap. 120 grit to 1000 grit, 10 stones. The big river also sells gesswein EDM stones too. I have the Falcons from usa knifemaker and they are pretty scratchy.
 
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