Jerry, I have to say that these things are the best thing to happen to my knifemaking since the variable speed motor. Absolutely dynamite!

I've been hearing a lot about them here of late. Who is carrying these and how do they compare cost wise to Trizac?

I haven't seen them anywhere yet.

Tru-Grit has them, about the same price as Trizac, and they're waterproof.

Don's right. I've been using them for the past 6-8 months and they are THE BEST I have seen/used so far. The backing is thick and dense enough to help cushion the platen, and the grit is super consistent and long lasting. I recently got in some of the 1200 grit belts, and have to look at the backs to tell them apart from the 600 grit belts. There are no joint marks ever in your blades with these belts........somebody had their thinking cap on the day they invented these belts!

Actually, they might be a little cheaper than Trizacts, definitely they're better. One thing I noticed in particular is how cool they run. I can finish up a large S30V blade without having to go into the water once. That's amazing. And as Ed noted, the extra thickness is nice, especially over small wheels where you don't get that telltale thump thump. I guess that same thing happens on the platen with flat grinds.

I have noticed they worked very well for me at low speeds, though Norton suggests running them fast.

Is Tru Grit the only ones selling them and are they available in 2x60?

Mike

Tru-Grit is the only one I know in the knife supply business, and I don't see 2 x 60 in their catalog. I suggest you call Norton and ask for other suppliers. They have a webpage for contact info.

I found the pdf on Norax belts. NORaX (http://www.nortonabrasives.com/industrial/literature/pdf/7539.pdf)

Norton Engineered Abrasives number is 1-800-446-1119

Part Number Example:
U264 is Aluminum Oxide,Tri-helical,flexible cotton.
They have three different grains, three different grain patterns and two different backings.

Available Grits:
X100 it equivalent to P150 (heaviest grit) and are available up to X5 (P3000)

These should be able to be ordered through any Norton Distributor. No one in this area (Detroit) seems to stock NORaX Belts.

Y'all that have NORaX - list your favorite part numbers so that we newbie know what to ask for. Thanks!

Bob Sigmon

I have found the X65, X45, X30 and X16 to be most useful.That will take you from about 220 grit to finished. I've also used the X5's recently for final sharpening, because of the low amount of heat they generate.

Thanks, Jerry

Do you know what grain, pattern and backing you use.

It's the u??? number on the back of the belts.

Thanks,

Bob Sigmon

The ones I'm using say U264 and U254 on the back.

Thanks, Don

I'm trying to get a feel for what pattern of grit seems to work the best for knifemaking.

The 5 is a pyramid pattern and the 6 is tri-helical. They also have 3 which is Quad pattern.

They really have quite the number of combinations and it seems that maybe one would be better for rough grinding than another and a different one would be better for finish grinding, etc.

Please everybody chime in with your favorites and what they work best for.

Thanks,

Bob Sigmon

The ones that I like best are tri-helical, run at low speeds. They run amazingly cool. I finished a 12" S30V blade without dipping it in water once.

That's what I need to know.

Thanks very much, Don & Jerry.

This save me countless hour and a bunch of cash.

Bob Sigmon