Anyone use paper grinding wheels to sharpen knives?

Silvercreek Farmer · #1 11/30/12, 12:39 PM

I'm pretty good with a stone on a blade that has a proper taper on it, but when a blade needs to be thinned out, it takes forever to do by hand, and isn't real pretty when I use the bench grinder (but it does get the job done). I was hoping something like this:

Amazon.com: Sharpening Wheels 8 Inch Diameter By 1 Inch Wide By 5/8 Inch Hole in Center with Adapter If Needed for 1/2 Inch Hole in Center: Home Improvement

would speed things up without burning the temper out of the blade or boogering up the finish on the steel as much as the full on grinding wheel does.

foxtrapper · #2 11/30/12, 01:09 PM

If you're trying to remove quantities of metal in order to reshape the blade, these paper wheels aren't the tool for that job.

bennypapa · #3 11/30/12, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxtrapper

If you're trying to remove quantities of metal in order to reshape the blade, these paper wheels aren't the tool for that job.

Agreed.
You need a stone mounted on a jig to do a nice looking job by hand. OR you need a knifemaker with a variable speed belt grinder and a steady hand.

Many knife makers finish by hand. You make a jig to hold the blade on the table. Then another tool to hold the stone. The stone holder has a long rod running parallel to the stone that is used to control the angle of the stone. The rod can me made to travel along a fence with an adjustable height or through an eye with an adjustable height.

Look around here for more info

Bladesmith's Forum Board

Bearfootfarm · #4 11/30/12, 01:41 PM

Just use several grades of course sandpaper sheets, but still do it by hand

dkhern · #5 12/01/12, 05:44 PM

on new blades i use a file to create the bevel i want then a stone to sharpen

**Cabin Fever** · #6 12/01/12, 06:08 PM

I have had some of my knives sharpened using this methods at various outdoor and hunting shows. It results in a extremely sharp edge when dnoe by someone who knows what he is doing.

dbarker4322 · #7 12/01/12, 11:27 PM

I use paper wheels like you're looking at. I have two a course and fine. The course will remove a lot in a hurry, the fine will get razor sharp in a short time. Takes a bit to get it figured out, but worth the investment.

dave

wogglebug · #8 12/03/12, 03:12 AM

I've used grinders in a shearing shed that are a flat steel wheel faced with glued-on heavy backing (more like a stiff cloth than paper) carrying carborundum. They are used for sharpening (really grinding flat) the cutters that are fitted to the shearing handpieces. They do a good job, but those cutters are disposable, and tool steel though they are they still get used up moderately quickly. They are also fitted to a holder on a swinging rod, so the person doesn't need to get their tender hands too close to the grinding surface - it would take off half your hand in half a second before you could pull the rest back.

Dale Alan · #9 12/03/12, 08:59 AM

I use those wheels,mostly for fine work . I use black for roughing the edge in and green compound for honing the edge,they work great for that. For taking steel off I use varying grits of wet/dry sandpaper glued to thick pieces of plexi-glass . I drag the blade from spine to edge,it takes some time,but it works. I finish by using my finishing rig,it is a piece of plexi-glass w/ mouse paid glued to it,and then sandpaper glued to the mouse pad . Lay the blade flat and put a little pressure towards the edge while dragging the blade. This will give you a nice convex edge . Easy edge to maintain .

I use spray on adhesive. It holds plenty fine and allows you to change paper easily. Also,flat wood will work just as well as plexi-glass.

TN_HOMESTEAD · #10 12/03/12, 02:10 PM

one of the local knife shops has these

they do a nice job of sharpening

as with any sharpening system, i'd practice on some less valuable blades until i got the hang of it

michiganfarmer · #11 12/04/12, 06:24 AM

I use a delta like this 30 in Belt Sander | eBay

**Ross** · #12 12/04/12, 08:18 AM

Belt sander really does the nicest job, hone it after to remove the micro burr.

**Cabin Fever** · #13 12/04/12, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

I use a delta like this 30 in Belt Sander | eBay

I use a 1" belt sander to sharpen axes, loppers, cutters, hoes, mower blades, etc. Never have used it on knives....seems a bit drastic, unless you've really damaged the edge.

frankva · #14 12/04/12, 09:45 AM

Belt sander does work nice. Fine belt. I don't think I would use it on a fine family heirloom, but for the kitchen knives sure.

Debur with one of those steel rod sharpening units.

michiganfarmer · #15 12/04/12, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

Belt sander really does the nicest job, hone it after to remove the micro burr.

exactly. deburring is crucial

Hollowdweller · #16 12/04/12, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Just use several grades of course sandpaper sheets, but still do it by hand

That's what I do.

**Ross** · #17 12/04/12, 09:19 PM

I use the belt sander because I can do a prettier job that lasts better than a wheel. I use a 220 grit aluminum oxide belt mostly but there are some very very fine belts, and even a leather honing belt you can use with a honing compound. I use a steel mostly or an oil stone.

michiganfarmer · #18 12/05/12, 11:55 AM

I use a cotton polishing wheel on a bench grinder and jewlers rouge for deburring, and Im able to shave my arm when Im done

**Cabin Fever** · #19 12/05/12, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

I use a cotton polishing wheel on a bench grinder and jewlers rouge for deburring, and Im able to shave my arm when Im done

You shave your arm???!!?

Well, I guess you have the right to bare arms....

GoldenCityMuse · #20 12/05/12, 11:15 PM

I can say I've hair'd it all now on HT.