first try at sharpening with the belts

So I got all my belts tonight and decided to try on my harbor frieght 9 dollar cheapo rambo knife. I progressed from 80 micron to 9 micron building up the burr and moving on to the next belt. I stropped it after that with some green compound. It shaves the hair off my arm so i guess that im headed the right direction <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks to all the dogs for answering all my questions with such eagerness!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

That was your first?Lookin good. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Yeah...sexy job Ireash. Goodness...I need a 1x30 now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Ya...I was shocked myself...but I have done a ton a research and with a ton of answered questions I just took my time and went for it. It is actually fun!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> WOW! Well done Ireash!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Any chance of talking you into posting up links to all the belts / materials for all of us belt-less folks, so as to accelerate the learning curve? A good how-to / quick reference for appropriate materials and when to use them would be fantastic for the nubs like me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I figured they are so cheap at HF that I was just gonna get one. And heck...Another tool is almost as good as another SY knife...ALMOST! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Absolutely since it was all relayed to me just recently by the dogs here!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Tomorrow Ill post all the material I used. As for the process I can tell you what I did but Im not sure it is the "right" way since Im a newb myself.

Good of you to share the info Ireash - good on ya'! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Looks good!

That looks GREAT!

Well done <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Looks like you are off to a good start, Ireash. That edge looks fine from here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Awesome...Thanks Ireash! Looking forward to seeing what all it takes (combined).

Looking good. Do post up the different belts, machine, and a tutorial if you don't mind. People out there want knowledge!

Keep it going!

Ok so am I allowed to say where I got the belts as long as I dont say prices n' stuff?? I want to stay out of the doghouse!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good question Ireash...i wasn't aware of there being any conflict with the Yard. Hopefully one of the mods will chime in.

I was hopeful for a listing with links...so that it would make life easy (i'm getting lazy in the computer age). However, "model numbers" of the different belt types would work as well...so that us nubs can distinguish the actual parts needed to get a specific grit, etc.

Well I know they have the deal spotting rule, but I dont think If I say I got belts here that it breaks the rules? Anyhow, if no moderators chime in Ill do my best to post without breaking the law!!!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Any chance of talking you into posting up links to all the belts / materials for all of us belt-less folks, so as to accelerate the learning curve? A good how-to / quick reference for appropriate materials and when to use them would be fantastic for the nubs like me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]

Ok so here it goes.

I want to start by saying that I am a NEWB so this info should be digested and disected to ones own common sense <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I started sharpening with the mouse pad and sand paper option. I used 300, 400, 600,800 and finally a 1500 grit and a final stropping on leather with green compound. There are a ton of videos and websites that explain this procedure including SY. If you go the facts page the info is there. I think this helped me to understand what building up the burr looks like and what the convex shape should look like and about what angle you are comfortable with while sharpening. This is a LONG process by hand!<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />I did while watching the hockey game and I think it took me a little over an hour to get a nice polished sharp edge! That was a lot of work, but you get to see in stages what the edge is progressing too. Although fun, This is too long for me! I am a results now kinda guy!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" />

I asked a bunch of Questions here and the dogs were more than happy to help!<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

I bought me a HF 1x30 and decided to try it. I LOOKED EVERYWHERE for any 1x30 belts with grit higher than 180 and couldnt find it here in CA. I think it might be illigal to carry here...<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So after watching a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLjFjT4vYsM

of the belt sharpening in process the guy doing the video mentioned the company that sells the correct belts.

Basically this is what I do:

Since the knife I had was new and had no damage I started with a 40 micron belt which i think is 320 grit. I start at the choil and pull the edge across the belt evenly, paying close attention the the angle consistency as you pull the blade across. Usually it only takes a couple of passes to build up the burr. I then go to the other side and knock it down. I then move to the next grit and do the same until I get to the last belt. As I progress I try to check the edge a lot to make sure I am not biting too far or anything. The videos on YT will help you alot with how the movement of the blade goes. After finishing with all the belts your knife should be pretty sharp at this point but probably not shaving sharp. This is where the leather stropping comes in. At first I was very skeptical that a piece of leather and some compound would do ANYTHING??? but in my short experience it is the difference in sharp and shaving sharp. I was amazed at what good it actually did! so dont skip this part! It also gives that nice shiny edge that looks SOOO GOOD!

I am including the exact order sheet below for what I ordered. I hope this helps ant Newbs like me to attempt convex sharpening. I am going to get a couple more Cheapos from HF and convex them before I start on my SY babies!

I would encourage any of the dogs who are Pro's at sharpening to critique this and let me know if I am doing anything wrong or passing off bad info! I am totally open to learning the right way!!

I also sharpened a HF Machete last night and that thing is razor sharp! Probably wont hold an edge for more than 5 chops, but what the hay!

Anyhow I am off to yosemite to produce My first chop off pics for my Dereg, DDF and S5! Ill post Pics when I return on Tue!


HF 1x30 belt sander

Item Description Quantity
05M0801 Honing Compound, 6.0 oz 1
54K9802 1" x 30" SiC Belt, 15 Micron -From what I gather this is 800g 1
05M3033 1"x30" A/O Belt, 1200x 1 - Came in with 9 micron label
05M3032 1"x30" A/O Belt, 500x 1 - Came in with 20micron label
05M3031 1"x30" A/O Belt, 320x 1 - Came in with 40micron label
05M3030 1"x30" A/O Belt, 180x 1 -Came in with 80micron label
70M0358 Pkg (6) Leather Strops
- 70M0353 Pkg (5) Leather Strops, 4-1/2"x1-1/2" 1
- 70M0354 Leather Strop, 4"x5" 1

Thanks, that is a great review and startup.

Very nice, I've said it before I need a belt sander.

Thanks Ireash! That's awesome...can't wait to get me a sander!

Question: I've seen a video somewhere where they use a leather belt on the machine, instead of stropping. Do you do this, or do you use a traditional strop?

If HD is complementing you, you are definitely in good shape!

By the way I forgot to add you can also run a router speed control on them small motors and slow the belts down for an even smoother and sharper finish.... If I can get some free time on a computer I'll try to post some mods for small sanders like table, Reenforced platen, and blade jig.. The HF is very capable of making some little EDC blades

Thanks for your time and efforts F/C! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Great post Ireash! I've been researching the same so I can get away from hand sanding. Post more pics and tips as you go!

Looks great for yout first time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I get my 1x30 belts from Lee Valley Tools. They have them down to 40 grit.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=48040&cat=1,43072

And I use their leather strop belt. I will say that some folks have found the leather belts too loose and floppy to get a good edge, but mine has been fine.

I have seen debates about whether these motors can be safely slowed down, but since electrons confuse me, I stay out of those discussions.

Nice job on the sharpening! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />