What grit belts to get

[Mark Roe]

Just trying to get the shop set up and am wondering what grit belts for my grinder should I have on hand. I am hoping to use the Wilton up to finishing. Also, I appreciate any votes for favorite brands of belts. Thanks in advance.

Mark

[Frank J Warner]

There's such a variety of belts out there that it's difficult to suggest the definitive set. I know that a couple of knife supply vendors sell "starter packs" of belts. Try Koval or TKS for this. You'll get a basic set from 80 grit up to about 400.

Supplier's list is here.

I've recently been trying out a few new belts. In the past I've stayed with 3M aluminun oxide in 80, 150, 220, 340, and 400, plus some 30, 15, and 9 micron polishers. Lately I've tried some of the J-Flex belts and I really like them. I've also purchased a few 36-grit ceramic hoggers, which are great for removing a lot of metal quickly.

Bear in mind that you'll use a lot more of the lower grit belts than the higher grits. In general, you're removing more metal with those than with the finer belts, so they wear out faster. You'll probably use four 80-grit belts for every 400-grit belt.

-Frank J Warner

[Jeremy Krammes]

Get good belts, and as I have read here before, use them like they are free. I've been getting mine from Super Grit lately, and they seem good. I have been using 80 for profiling, and 120 for my first grinds, then moving to 150, then 400, then 600. I'm kind of new to knife making so I'm sure my methods will change, but this works for now.

Jeremy

[Mark Roe]

Thanks Frank and Jeremy. I realized that I committed the first basic "sin" of forum posting...I thought that my question was unique and didn't bother using the search tool. I'm going back and reading the previous posts.

Mark

[paul harm]

i use 36 for profiling, and to start after forging after removing the scale with a hand grinder. the 36 leaves grooves, so watch how far you go. then 80, 120,220,and 400. after that it's hand sanding. paul