Work sharp belts

[bubbahide]

I recently bought the Ken Onion work sharp sharpener. How many knives can you sharpen before you need to replace the belts? I've sharpened 8 knives now and the belts seem to be warning out already. This is the first time using an electric sharpener don't have a lot of experience with this system. Thanks for the help.

 

[KBA]

They do go quick. It depends on the steel and the amount you are removing. A 3" blade is not the same as a Esee 6. 1095 is not the same as 3v

 

[herisson]

Use the hell out of those belts. Ken Onion himself explains how they can be used to the extreme. I use his small WorkSharp unit. It's very efficient and I'm still running on the original belts... Every grade performs well, just slower over time. So, if you're not in a hurry...

 

[CLoeffler]

Use the hell out of those belts. Ken Onion himself explains how they can be used to the extreme. I use his small WorkSharp unit. It's very efficient and I'm still running on the original belts... Every grade performs well, just slower over time. So, if you're not in a hurry...

What herisson said. The belts are made with NoRAX. From the last Work Sharp newsletter-

"Rather than using traditional sandpaper, our flexible abrasive belts are engineered abrasives from Norton Abrasives, the world's premier abrasive manufacturer. Specifically we use NORaX belts, which are micro-structured 3D grain abrasives. These are the same belts Ken uses in his shop to make custom knives.
Not only do the NORaX belts create a consistent, superior sharpening experience, they also outlast conventional abrasives with a 2-5X longer life."

 

[Mister X]

Be careful of using too much pressure on the belt, let it work don't make it work. I was surprised how well they cut even with a light touch.