I'm a newcomer to knifemaking and have decided that I'd like to use something other than my 6" wheel or my 6x48 belt grinder for knifemaking. Since this is an "occasional hobby" I'd like to keep the cost down, but I do appreciate quality performance rather than making do with sloppy fit&finish, noisy bearings, etc.

Has anyone done a comparison of the major "dedicated" knifemaking grinders such as Bador, Burr King, HardCore and Square Wheel? What about the KMG-1 or a Grizzly?

I searched this site and was unable to find such a discussion topic. If there is one, please advise.

I'd like to know the pros and cons of the various machines, their ease of set-up and use, and the benefit of various attachments ,etc.

Thanks,
Reply to: craig@sharrow.com

Craig, Welcome.
The internet is full of info on grinders.
Your question could have as many answers as there are opinions here.Everyone has thier favorites, for different reasons.
Most all of my work is done on my Burr King 960.
(mine is an old 2"X60" belt)
Burr King down side,comes with 1 HP motor.
I have an old grinder called, Blade master, that is almost as strong. It uses a 2"X72" belt, and has step pulleys to change speeds.
Bader seems to have the poipular vote because it changes set ups quickly, but I don't like the vibration of them.
Wilton square wheel is not as popular as it once was because of cost and tracking problems.
I hear good things about Grizzly.
There are lots of new grinder makers today. Cost is coming down, and quality is going up, yet most grinders are considered for hobbies and not heavy use.
My Burr King is tough and dependable.
20 years of use and not a single problem with it. I wish you could still buy them this way.

You might check on E-Bay, I saw a 2x60" Burr King not to long ago.

When funds alow, I am planning on upgrading to a Coote.

Good luck!