WSKO Blade Grinding attachment - stropping belts question

[Jobor]

Hi,

I have been using the WSKO with new Blade grinding attachment for just a short while, but with good results. So I ordered the stropping belts with compound to see if I could step it up even more, I usually strop by hand on leather with and without compound.

And the stropping belts worked fine... for about 5 knives... then they both split in the "seam" holding the belts together while machine was running.

So, being pretty new to the BGA... Did I miss something obvious with how to use these belts (tension, should they be oriented in a certain way, something else??) or did I just get unlucky and happened to buy a bad batch where the seam don't hold together?

Any input appreciated, I really liked them, but would really like to know what went wrong before giving out $30 for another set of belts...

 

[c7m2p3]

I think you probably got a bad batch. I suppose you could try and get more adhesive on your own and try to re-stick the belt together but no telling how long that will hold. Though that would be cheaper than going in for new belts. Curious if you went aftermarket or got some of the linen stropping belts directly from WorkSharp?

 

[Wild Bill 1]

Did you make sure you ran the belts the right direction ? Some belts have an arrow on the underside to show witch direction they are to run. WB

 

[Jobor]

I think you probably got a bad batch. I suppose you could try and get more adhesive on your own and try to re-stick the belt together but no telling how long that will hold. Though that would be cheaper than going in for new belts. Curious if you went aftermarket or got some of the linen stropping belts directly from WorkSharp?

Gah, I already threw them away, otherwise I could have tried that.
No, it was the real deal - https://www.amazon.com/Work-Sharp-Onion-Stropping-Belt/dp/B01GEPR4PI

Did you make sure you ran the belts the right direction ? Some belts have an arrow on the underside to show witch direction they are to run. WB

User instruction said "The belt is non-directional and can be installed to run in either direction" so probably not. But I also now see it says "The belts are to be used with the seam faced in. The belts will not perform as intended if used inside out (seam out)"... That part I missed, but I used them as they were delivered and I guess/hope I would have noticed if the seam was on the outside?

 

[c7m2p3]

If you want to go aftermarket, I have had an aftermarket leather stropping belt from Super Strop. It has served fine for the last couple of years and has replaced most of my strop blocks as my primary maintenance tool in between full sharpening.

 

[Jobor]

If you want to go aftermarket, I have had an aftermarket leather stropping belt from Super Strop. It has served fine for the last couple of years and has replaced most of my strop blocks as my primary maintenance tool in between full sharpening.

This one?
https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Honing-Stropping-Grinding-Attachment/dp/B07VPRDYQ3

I looked at this one before getting the cloth strops, but thought it would stretch just like the old Worksharp leather belts reportedly did. Also I did not find them in any EU shop, but I didn't look very hard.

But then, good to know! I'll probably try this before testing my luck with another set of Worksharp cloth belts. Thanks!

 

[c7m2p3]

This one?
https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Honing-Stropping-Grinding-Attachment/dp/B07VPRDYQ3

I looked at this one before getting the cloth strops, but thought it would stretch just like the old Worksharp leather belts reportedly did. Also I did not find them in any EU shop, but I didn't look very hard.

But then, good to know! I'll probably try this before testing my luck with another set of Worksharp cloth belts. Thanks!

Thats the one! Probably going on two years now with it. Honestly I do so much of my sharpening on a KME or freehand now thats my primary use for the BGA. I will leave that stropping belt on there loaded up with 2 micron diamond paste. Throwing the V grind KME edge back on the BGA at a very low angle (like 15 degrees) will do burr removal and minor polishing very quick. Its also great for maintaining an edge. After breaking down cardboard or between sharpenings its easy to pass a blade over it at high speed and clean up that edge without taking 5-10 min on a strop block

 

[cbwx34]

Gah, I already threw them away, otherwise I could have tried that.
No, it was the real deal - https://www.amazon.com/Work-Sharp-Onion-Stropping-Belt/dp/B01GEPR4PI

Even though you threw them away... if they were WorkSharp belts, I would recommend you contact WorkSharp directly. I've always found them more than helpful, and wouldn't be surprised if they sent you another belt... plus I'd bet they'd like to know if there are bad ones out there.

I've had a set of linen belts since they came out, and they still are fine... I'd suspect you just got a bad set. (Also, they run either direction).

 

[Jobor]

Thats the one! Probably going on two years now with it. Honestly I do so much of my sharpening on a KME or freehand now thats my primary use for the BGA. I will leave that stropping belt on there loaded up with 2 micron diamond paste. Throwing the V grind KME edge back on the BGA at a very low angle (like 15 degrees) will do burr removal and minor polishing very quick. Its also great for maintaining an edge. After breaking down cardboard or between sharpenings its easy to pass a blade over it at high speed and clean up that edge without taking 5-10 min on a strop block

Great, thanks! Now just to find it somewhere in EU... Ordering from the US I think the cost would be more than 2x with shipping, customs and VAT. :/

Even though you threw them away... if they were WorkSharp belts, I would recommend you contact WorkSharp directly. I've always found them more than helpful, and wouldn't be surprised if they sent you another belt... plus I'd bet they'd like to know if there are bad ones out there.

I've had a set of linen belts since they came out, and they still are fine... I'd suspect you just got a bad set. (Also, they run either direction).

Great suggestion, I sent them my first post here, with some added details. Let's see what they say...

 

[Jobor]

... if they were WorkSharp belts, I would recommend you contact WorkSharp directly. I've always found them more than helpful, and wouldn't be surprised if they sent you another belt... plus I'd bet they'd like to know if there are bad ones out there...

Sorry to say, they were not too helpful...

Thank you for your interest in our products. No, they shouldn’t have broke that easily, depending how they were stored humidity could be a factor. They should be stored in a dry cool place for the best results.

For your convenience we have set up authorized distributors throughout the world. Please contact ANY one of these distributors for price and availability for sharpeners, parts and service work. Please note that Work Sharp does not sell any 220-240V product direct from our factory, but any one of these listed distributors can assist you.

In kindness,

#### ######
Customer Service | Technical Support | Work Sharp

 

[cbwx34]

Sorry to say, they were not too helpful...

Oh well... worth a shot anyway. (Maybe they've had to tighten their belt....)

 

[zyhano]

Hi Jobor, also, looking for belts in the EU. I'm also there (Netherlands) and am looking for the same. Also interested in aftermarket stuff. I'm very impressed with the WSKO, had it since yesterday and have done a couple of izula 1095 steels, s35VN spyderco mule and all my kitchen knives pretty nice system. Haven't used the grinder yet, but since I'm a good freehander, I think I'll be good to go I'm so relieved because of the speed with which you can sharpen, it's awesome. Currently using my own strops, but a stropping belt would be nice.

 

[Jobor]

Hi Jobor, also, looking for belts in the EU. I'm also there (Netherlands) and am looking for the same. Also interested in aftermarket stuff. I'm very impressed with the WSKO, had it since yesterday and have done a couple of izula 1095 steels, s35VN spyderco mule and all my kitchen knives pretty nice system. Haven't used the grinder yet, but since I'm a good freehander, I think I'll be good to go I'm so relieved because of the speed with which you can sharpen, it's awesome. Currently using my own strops, but a stropping belt would be nice.

Yes, I have really been searching EU sites for aftermarket belts, and all I found so far are regular grinder belts, which is a good option as you can find other grits than with worksharp belts. But as for strops for blade grinding attachment... In EU I only found Worksharp's cloth belts, so far