Hey guys,

Just got a new belt sander and was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to best sharpen knives with it. I bought a cheap Ontario machete to practice with. I also got several different belts from 80 on down to 9 micron, and a leather belt w/ honing compound for finish work. I did a quick and dirty job on the machete, using 120, 320, and 500 grit belts, then finishing with the leather belt. Managed to get it to rough shave hair, but I think it could do better. Do I just need to run it on the leather belt some more, and maybe introduce some honing compound? How about blade angles? What's the best angle for a given task? I took the back plate off my sander so I could use it as a slack belt; was that a good idea or should I put it back on?

Thanks for any tips and/or suggestions.

ask "horn dog"


he has the 3rd world grind shop & is knowledgeable on all things sharp

Try using some of the finer belts. Also, use a black marker on the edge of the knife to see if you are missing spots.

I've being toying with the belt sander idea myself.

I just saw this today, Heres a video by a custom knifemaker (Neilson) putting a convex edge using a belt sander.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLjFjT4vYsM

Interesting video.

CC, you are at least starting out better than I did. All I could find were cheap 80 grit belts at first. How sharp does a machete need to be? I thought I was the only one fanatical enough to strop a shaving edge on a machete, and then go beat it up. Used my machete all yesterday afternoon on some wild wax myrtles. I am assuming you have one of those cheap 1" x 30" sanders, like mine.

1. If you are going to use the sander for sharpening only, I'd remove the adjustable stand or rest, too. This will give you more length of belt to use and allow placing the edge in the center area between the two wheels for a great convex edge.
2. I have used polishing compounds very little. Cold One knows more about that stuff. Just stroping in the leather seems to work for me. Look at the edge frequently to see just how and where you are hitting the edge. I have had best results using VERY light pressure as my belt is a bit loose.
3. Since I have never measured an edge angle in my life, all I can say is keep practicing and experimenting and see what works for you.
4. Ontarios are "expensive" machetes. Get some cheap $6.00 Tramontinas from SMKW. Not only are they cheaper to practice on, they are great machetes.
5. Wear eye protection and be careful. Have fun with it. The more you do it, the more you will develop a technique and feel for which sharpening angles work best. At first, try to approximate the factory angles as best you can.
Hope this helps.

i may have to send my dumpster mutt down to horn dog for a stripping and convexing. i have little doubt it would then be the baddest camp and survival knife on the planet.

Welcome to the yard, RajunCajun... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the video link, cool... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />



As for as sharpening on a sander CC practice and patience makes perfect. It's a fun learning process too, as long as you just use the cheap stuff to get the hang of it... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Rajun Cajun Welcome to The Yard!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I am on J. Neilson's early warning mailing list for about a year now and love his work. Some of his finest custom work is done for his son's savings account. He is a super nice guy,husband and father as well as a unreal source for custom knives. Good find to share Cajun!
And again, welcome to The Yard please continue to enjoy your time here and post your news and views!!!

Peace.

thanks for the vid, cajun, and welcome.

i've met j. neilson a few times at the new jersey knife collectors' meetings. he's pretty cool and his knives are some of the most amazing pieces i've ever handled.

Great video! And welcome to the Yard RajunCajun! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />