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The Newbies Arena Are you new to knife making? Here is all the help you will need.

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  #1  
Old 07-28-2009, 02:23 PM
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Advice from a tight wad

Ok guys after years of useing economy belts I bought some good ones. The 3M ceramic from Pop's. Man what a differance. Normally I would use 3 to 4, 36grit belts on a blade ,rough shapeing and grinding off scale after forgeing and HT. Saturday I did 3 blades with one belt and she's still cutting. The dust doesn't even look the same.
The econo belts make a powder type dust. These new belts make piles of what looks like steel wool. Here's the math to back it up.
1- knife, 4 econo belts at $3.20 each = $12.80per knife
3+ knives, 1 ceramic belt at $6.30 = $2.10 per knife ( Belt is still cutting extremly well)
So I am sold. If your thinking about it just do it you won't be sorry. The only thing about these ceramic belts is that you have to grind hard with them. Don't be scared you'll tear it up.


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Old 07-28-2009, 03:05 PM
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I agree, ceramics are the bomb! and who can beat Pop's....
I am using from 60 to 220 in them. I don't get quite as good perfomance from the 220s as the 60's but its much better than AO's.

"Tightwad" Andy...say it ain't so! I call that "economies of defined frugality"


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Old 07-28-2009, 06:02 PM
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Thanks Andy, think ill give them a try. Been wanting to for awhile but the price was stopping me.

What about the speed?


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Old 07-28-2009, 07:51 PM
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boo,
Run them hard and fast as you can. Don't baby these belts its bad for them.


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Old 07-28-2009, 08:16 PM
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Thats some thing I learned a while back,Cheapest price isn't always the cheapest way.
And good belts grind better.
Stan


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Old 07-28-2009, 08:37 PM
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3M ceramic belts and Pops... Not a bad combination.


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  #7  
Old 07-29-2009, 09:42 AM
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Thanks, Andy! As an unapologetic tightwad, I sometimes need another tightwad to give me a push in the right direction. I'll check out the ceramics.


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Old 07-29-2009, 11:25 AM
Doug Lester Doug Lester is offline
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I used to get discount belts and discovered that I was being penny wise and pound foolish. I the long run, the cheap belts cost more money. People like Ed Caffrey were saying this all along but I didn't think that there could be that much difference, but beleave me, there is.

Doug Lester


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Old 07-29-2009, 11:47 AM
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One thing I will add i dont use the ceramic belts for wood or micarta. They will gum up really fast but will last forever on metal.


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Old 07-29-2009, 11:55 AM
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I was thinking the whole time I was grinding "Its about time to change belts" But, the thing just kept cutting.
I always told my son's that if you buy something for yourself, Buy the very best you can afford. If you don't your just cheating yourself. If you'll cheat yourself, God only knows how you'll treat other people.( Words of my Grandfather).
Funny how we often don't take our own advice.


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Old 07-29-2009, 11:55 PM
Frank Niro Frank Niro is offline
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Another good thing to learn is not to over use the good belts. Frank


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Old 07-30-2009, 09:26 AM
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Agree with you 100%!! Ceramic is the best!!

Frank


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Old 07-30-2009, 12:30 PM
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I use ceramics for hoggers and 120s, but still keep plenty of cheap AOs for handle materials and whatnot.

Come to think of it, it may be time to call Tracy with an order...


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