How useful are 1000 grit belts?

[Orion]

Hi KN,
I am wondering if 1000 grit belts would make the final polishing much easier?
Thanks for any thoughts,
O.

[Ray Rogers]

Generally speaking, no. But, a lot depends on what kind of grinder you have. If it's variable speed and you can slow it way down, then such belts might have a chance to work. And, it depends on what you are polishing - they might help on steel but not on wood or plastic.

Most of us switch to hand sanding by the time we get to that fine a grit. I knew one maker who would do a mirror polish using only belts and that worked fairly well for him. His only problem was that he wasn't thorough enough and usually left some scratches in his polished blade. Of course, any scratch in a polished blade stands out like a hooker in a nun's choir. That is also true of any scratch the blade receives when it's being used too which is why most experienced makers avoid polished blades except for collector's knives....

[Walt-]

Originally Posted by Ray Rogers

... Of course, any scratch in a polished blade stands out like a hooker in a nun's choir...

That is one I will need to remember.

[WynnKnives]

They can be useful but I only purchase the Norax belts past 320, IMO you want to go with some type of engineered abrasive so they will actually last. Honestly I don't even touch AO belts anymore, all ceramic or engineered is well worth the money.

[Doug Lester]

The only reason that I will go to that fine of grit is when I'm chasing a hamon and when I'm doing that I'm switch over to hand sanding with wet/dry sandpaper and WD-40 at 600 grit. To me, the only reason to put a mirror finish on a blade is when it's going into a display case.

Doug

[viking-sword]

I always go up to a 400 to 600 grit belt and then back down to a 340 grit hand sand and work my way up from there, but I've been wanting to try the cork belts in 400, 600 and even 8oo to see if they could help me to not have to back down so far on my hand sanding and shorten my hand sanding times. Anyone have advise on this?

[WynnKnives]

Lately I've been alternating when doing my hollow grinds, eg. 220belt, 320 hand, 400 belt 500 hand and so forth. It seems to speed the process up quite well, alternating sanding direction obviously

[R. Yates]

Here is a chart that I find very useful I just bought a new batch of these Belts

Grading Chart for the Trizact Belts

A300 ? Like P80

A160- Like P120

A100- Like P180

A65- Like 240

A45- Like P400

A30- Like P600

A20- Like P1000

A5- Has no grade Its finer than the FEPA Grading lines. (These are very Fine finish However useless with out a VSD)

these belts are Awesome for Steel and well worth the money !

Sam