Congrats- let us know when your knife sharpening service starts up <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good to hear that your gear made it to you safely. The only new things I got was a few different grits of wet/dry automotive sandpaper for my INFIcoot and my SOD. I was excited. I'm venturing into totally new territory with the convexing thing. I should just scrap the idea and send you my SOD <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Congrats! I'm loving my Kalamazoo...Still trying to figure out exactly what belts I need and how best to use the leather belt...rough side like instructions say or smooth side? How do you get rouge on it? My rouge is dry. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You guys got bigger balls than me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />!! I am still stuck learning my angles with an Apex Pro and this strop to finish it off http://www.japaneseknifesharpeningstore.com/ . I have had my eyes on the power sanders and seen Vic's work and Jimmies but then I have this nightmare about all my steel in the dumpster with Dan staring at it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />. If Vic or Jimmie do it it comes out perfect- I guess i am just not there yet. Oh well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Knotslip, I bought two of the leather belts; one I kept smooth side out and load the green compound on by gently holding the stick to it as I'm rotating the belt by hand; I find you waste to much compound and it doesn't apply nicely if you try it while the motor is running. The other I put rough side out, and loaded it up with the black compound. I just got it yesterday, so I haven't had much time to judge the effects, but so far I like it. The rough with the slightly coarser black compound seems to help get most burrs and scratches out, while the smooth with the finer green does a nice job of polishing. Again, I only had the chance to play with this on three cheap knives so far; no Bussekins have been put to this yet.

Poi Dog, the offer is open to everyone; go ahead and send me all your Bussekins, I'll sharpen them, and depending on how much I like them, might send them back to you all! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Overall, I really like the ease with which it puts an edge on a blade. After last night, I feel somewhat comfortable doing the straight runs on the blade, but I really have to practice (and hopefully master) sharpening the curved portion of the blade. This weekend, I'm going to pull a few more cheapo knives I bought while in Afghanistan, and use them to get a feel for properly doing the front curve to tip portion of a knife, and see how it comes out.

I bought a number of belts for it. Lee Valley even gave the conversion for the Micron belts to the appropriate grit, so I would know how to utilize them. Dang, I like the service you get from them; might pay a little more for the product, but you always have top notch customer service from them (I found so, at least).

Micron belts (Aluminum Oxide)
9 Micron (1200 grit)
15 Micron (1000 grit)
20 Micron (500 grit)
40 Micron (320 grit)

Normal Aluminum Oxide belts
320 grit
220 grit
150 grit

I found another site, that offers a decent deal on the coarser belts at really good prices. If any of you are interested, here it is.

Peachtree Sanding Belts

I'm planning on putting an order with them for about two dozen belts, since I plan to also use the Kalamzoo for some fine woodworking chores as well (Planning on making my own baseboard and trim for the living and dining rooms).

Anyway, I just got through the door a short bit ago, and want to change and get something to eat. Talk to you all later. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I wish I were brave enough to try this...:-P

Congrats on all the new toys!

I've been debating whether to get a Kalamazoo. Please let us know how it works for you.

The alternative is stepping up to the 2" Grizzly like Rainwalker has which also sports the extension spindle for putting that uber satin finish on your knives with a Scotchbrite wheel. All I know is I only want to buy one. We have no Harbor Freight up here in the boonies so many "unique" items have to be ordered for delivery.

I didn't see the 9 micron belts on their web site (Lee Valley) - Did you have to call them?

Thanks for the other link on the coarser belts - I will check them out. I also need to get another leather belt....maybe I'll put an order in this weekend. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you look at their sanding belt page, and notice the Aluminum Oxide grinding belts (Item D); they are listed as 180, 320, 500, and 1200 grits on the website. When they arrived to me yesterday, I found to my surprise that they were labelled as Micron belts (Same product code on the bag), with a sheet showing the equivalent grit rating for the belts. I figure that they simply put up on the website what the grit would be for that particular belt, to make it easier for people to order what they wanted.

Good luck on your ordering; I'll be blowing some more cash on belts and some more honing compound myself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Awesome! I'll beat up my SOD a bit more then I'll be sending it out to you for a convex edge <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Tyger-

I just ordered a bunch of belts including some of the 1200 grit ones. Also got my 40, 60 and 80 grit Zirconias for grinding blade profiles. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I now have quite an assortment of belts - now I just need to practice! Thanks for the info.

Congrats on the new toy... You will be bleeding in no time (or at least that is what happens to me any time I sharpen a knife)