Hmmmm. Maybe Vic should start a penetrator tipping service. Given the number of penetrator tips he's put on his own knives, he should be an expert at it by now. Watcha think, Horn Dog? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I guess I could. It takes longer to unpack and repack the knives than it does to do a little penetrator tip. Its much easier than putting a polished edge on.
Vic is right. The penetrator tip is a very easy and very fast modification. It would literally take longer to pack the knife back up.
By the time you paid for Priority shipping at about $7 - $9 each way for one knife, you could have paid about 30%-50% towards your own belt sander!
You guys out there who haven't yet picked up a belt sander need to head down to your local hardware store and get one. - Or look up Harbor Freight or similar online. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
These little 1"x30" belt sanders are not fancy or expensive tools, but they can do a lot! I think I got mine for about $40.00 or so. Belts are usually about $1.50 - $5.00 depending on grit and type. Most of my local stores only carry about 80, 120 and 150 grits. These grits will do a lot of "general" type grinding and yard tool worthy sharpening. But, fine quality sharpening and polishing will require much finer grits and belts. There are a few good places online for this such as:
Lee Valley These sanders are great for customizing and/or sharpening knives (and you will need the right belts for sharpening good knives! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />). But, I use mine VERY often just for sharpening yard tools and for many other porjects (I was about to correct that, but porjects was funny when I saw it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) around the house.
I collect tools as much as knives. I do a ton of projects - mostly home improvement type, but I tinker with stuff for fun. I remember talking to my cousin a few years ago about tools. He is in the home building and renovation business. One of my favorite comments he made about tools, I now use all of the time.
In reference to "How Many" tools he had, he replied: "I have tools to FIX tools!"
These little belt sanders are one of the BEST in that catagory. Dremels are toys by comparison and Dremels cost a lot more. Dremels are good for "Little" tasks. But, they just don't really handle bigger tasks worth a flip. And rotary tools are hard to work with sometimes to get flat, even, mirror or consistant results. The belt sander is MUCH better for almost any knife or tool modification or sharpening - unless a very small part on a folder or similar.
Belt Sanders at about $40 - $60 are WELL worth the cheap cost! Most of you guys who have as many knives as it sounds like you have and actually USE them need to just go get you a belt sander. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
I hereby formally empower you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
However, if you read many of the "How To" threads over on Bladeforums and Knifeforums, they will usually tell you to practice on some cheap knives first to get the feel for it. I will strongly concure with this as I am sure Vic will as well.
This is not a complicated tool to use by any means, but it just has a small little learning curve for feel and touch.
A penetrator tip really is a very easy modification even without much experience... although, I would still recommend a few minutes of practice on something cheap. Be careful not to over grind the tip as you will mess up your point. And make sure the angles are what you want and mirrored (duplicated in reverse on opposite side). Other than that, pretty simple.
Reprofiling isn't too difficult. But, without some practice, you can end up with some ugly results. It does take a little practice to get the angles right and movement of the knife across the belt smoothly and evenly. After you get the hang of it, it is reasonably easy.
There are other more complicated things to grind on a knife. Grinding the flat areas of a CG knife to get rid of pits, but not mess up the shape of the knife and not damage the handle is a lot trickier than a penetrator tip.
It is good to know the limitations of a belt sander too. They can contour some handles, but that takes a fair amount of practice with a belt and belts are hard to get to make certain contours. Sometimes other tools are needed.
This link has some good belt-sanding/grinding tips:
Grinder Tips I like the last one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
But, I can add a few:
- Wear eye protection
- Don't let the blades get too hot (* I don't personally let my blades get so hot I can't hold them at their hottest spots)
- Watch out for the static build-up! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> - I have to ground myself as I have very strong and jumpy reflexes - which is not good with a fast rotating tool and a sharp blade! Most of the time I don't have any problems. I guess certain types of weather might influence static more (????). I mention this as better to be prepared than sorry. Again, most of the time, it is not a problem. But, every now and then you might build up some static and get a light to a good shock. I generally get zapped from the metal parts of the sander like the work-top. Being shocked is my least favorite part of this tool. Luckily, it isn't a constant problem. But, somedays when you aren't expecting it.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
- Learn how to use the platten for flat grinds - a slack belt will not do a flat grind. I like a lot of parts of knives convexed. But, some things are better flat!
- Listen for popping noises. - Usually means something is wrong with your belt. Turn the grinder off. A slightly damaged belt will often pop very quickly after. A belt popping in your face is very unsettling. A belt popping when you have a sharp blade on it is worse. Platten grinding is noticable rougher on belts.
- Don't breath the dust! It is my understanding that certain woods are toxic and micarta is very unhealthy to toxic. I try to wear a mask. I hate masks, but I hate how my lungs feel after it is filled with crap even more. If the weather is nice, set up your grinder outside and hook up a fan. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> .... Unfortunately, Vic and I have bad Mosquitos!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> Little Bastards! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I hate Houston's humidity, but the mosquitos are even more annoying to me. - Fix those two things and Houston is decent enough. - except I would prefer to have some nice mountains in the scenery and near enough to play in. (sorry - tangents).
- Belt grinders make a mess.... just so you know.
I am sure there are others good tips, but I don't want to make this sound to intimidating or complicating. These belt grinders aren't much more complicated to use than a drill or power saw. I would say it is not as dangerous as a power saw for sure. But, it takes a little more practice because of the much more "Freehand" nature of using a belt sander.
So, again, I recommend some practice on cheap stuff first.
Go to it and good luck!
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