Quick & easy knife sharpening - J. Neilson

[docdavidb]

Thanks for the vid. I bought some sanding and leather belts and polishing compound from Pop's Knife Supplies (awesome service) and tried your method on my belt sander. Incredible fast results for knife edges. Thanks again!!

[rjsahadi]

I AM HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING 1/4" THICK BLADES THAT ARE ALREADY PUNCHED OUT AND HEAT TREATED. CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME ADVISE ON WHERE TO LOCATE AND PURCHASE THEM?

[rjsahadi]

I AM HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING 1/4" THICK BLADES THAT ARE ALREADY PUNCHED OUT AND HEAT TREATED. CAN YOU GIVE ME SOME ADVISE ON WHERE TO LOCATE AND PURCHASE THEM?

[mountainhollow]

I started this methos with that little harbor freight 3-wheeler and as long as you don't let the blade get too hot (with that grinder or any other) you'll be just fine.

[MrStonecold1997]

Does the much faster drive speed of the Harbor Freight machine cause an issue? I don't know if the drive rollers are the same size, maybe the HF machine has smaller drives making it turn the belt about the same speed? Any downside to saving the money on the cheaper machine?

[mountainhollow]

Nope. You keep the blade cool by making one pass and then dunking the blade in water. I've been making knives full-time for 10 years and this sharpening method has never caused any problem with over-heating of or damage to a blades performance. Just move the blade smoothly along and keep it cool and you'll have no problems.

[DjUndying1]

won't this weaken the heat treatment on high end knives

[LMHS63]

Wow, finally a machine used to sharpen knives....years ago I worked with a carpenter from Argentina, he sharpened all his tools including wood plane knives with his portable belt sander with medium paper. The result was he always had blades razor sharp, no need for a utlity knife ! He fit Crown mouldings by trimming way before we had the "chop saw", thanks for posting.

[Mcfinbar]

Thanks for the informative vid. Good presentation, concise and to the point.

Cheers,

John.

[Astharot90]

Amazing voice!!! 

[WATTYATHINK]

... nice job, I'm a little more coarse just use "wet and dry" sand paper. The kind they use in automotive shops. Always carry some in my pocket a couple of swipes keeps the edge nice and sharp ... no fuss ... great for sissors too just cut the paper and the sissors are sharpened. I'll fold the wet and dry over my finger or a round stick and take a couple of passes job done ...

[divotit]

You make it look easy my friend. That's the sign of a true professional.

[SuperR3volver]

Hello sir, I'm 14 and I have recently found a passion for custom knives. I saw your review and link to this video on USA Knifemakers. My question is this, If i were to get this machine (my first) sharpening/ light re profiling and handle work, could it be mounted to a sturdy wall via the feet that are made to bolt it to a bench with?

[mountainhollow]

Yes, there are fins with bolt holes on the bottom of the machine that allow it to be bolted to a bench, pedestal, whatever.

[MrChrissy1r]

Reality for a change no arty farty bullshit about twenty different grits etc,the wire edge you speak of is a Burr,and removing it on a leather is stropping, with stainless steels the best way believe it or not is by hand on a fine India stone stroking from the sharp edge towards the back edge of the knife on alternate sides.Using a belt sander is O.K, as long as you keep the blade cool.

[powersfam]

Great video! Sorry if this has been said over and over, i didn't bother looking all over the posts for it. The "wire edge" you're referring too is called a "burr". Loved the vid, well done mate :)

[bjsalonis]

You rock man. Great Tips. Thanks.

[mountainhollow]

Hey Jeff, glad to help out. I'm a big fan of simple and straight-forward. Never tried the timber trick, gonna have to give that a try. If I've got a few small, stray flakes I (happens on certain stainless steels at times) usually just do the Capt. Morgan's stand and give it a last quick strop of my jeans. Usually takes care of thiings.J.

[TheKnifeAndOnly]

right.. cool...

[themaxx69]

Great video. I'm just curious about only using such a coarse belt. Considering most sharpening instructions go with 2 or 3 different stones, from coarse to fine. Is there much of a difference not doing another pass with a finer belt?

[mountainhollow]

If you prefer a more polished edge, you can step down to finer grit belts with the same process. I like to have a "toothier" edge for cutting rope, wood, flesh/hide, etc. (For many of the knives I commonly make) A more polished edge will tend to push material away more than cut into it.

[johndoughy]

@themaxx69 There is also a difference between stones and belts--speed. You can sharpen a knife using just plain leather belts--it'll just take hours, maybe days. The speed of the finer belts means that they don't require the in-between steps to remove the scratches from the lower grits.

[Manny1222]

It's Stone Cold Steve Austin with hair.

[bluelagoon10023]

n'what not!

[thesandman8989]

I bought the same grinder as you have there and removed the upper pulley safety cage but it looks like(from ur video) I need to remove the belt guide as well...my leather belt rubs a bit.

[mountainhollow]

I think you mean the platen that sits behind the belt? Yes, I removed that from my machine as well. It's not very good for a platen anyway if you were going to keep that aspect of the machine.

[mrnoobzor]

Would you say a belt grinder is the answer for me if I am hopelessly bad at hand sharpening?

[mountainhollow]

Ye, I would. The small belt sharpening method is very quick and can be mastered in a short time. I'd suggest getting a batch of CHEAP kitchen knives or the like to practice on and refine your skills before putting any blade edge of value to the belt. Once you get used to this method, I think your be very happy with it.

J.

[70box]

As a straight razor guy I have in the past found it interesting why you dont here about people using leather to finish knife edges more. Great to see it on your vid.....

[TheYTViolation]

Where do you buy your leather belts? I didn't see any at Pop's.

[thesandman8989]

You can find all of the stuff in this video at amazon...all of it!!!! I have it ordered and expect delivery next week and hope to have a video response soon!

[TheYTViolation]

Thanks for the info. I will look for your upcoming vid.

[jcfetzer]

Thanks for the video. Would you use this same technique to sharpen kitchen knives? And if so, would you repeat this process every time the knives need sharpening? Or is there another method to maintain sharpness once the initial belt sharpening has been completed?

[mountainhollow]

Yes, you can sharpen many kitchen knives with this method. If your knives are good steel, you shold be able to just "strop" them with the leather belt to touch up the blade between sharpenings.

[jcfetzer]

Thanks for the reply...that's just what I needed to know. I have had great results with your method. It is quick and easy. I'll add in the leather touch up now.

[kennysutch]

Dont think that Jersey Devil shirt went unnoticed. ;-)

[redman8066]

can you do grinds with that machine?

[mountainhollow]

It's a bit small but you can.

[JEHIAHL]

Awesome video!! How much does a belt machine like yours cost?

[mountainhollow]

I think it's $2-300.00. I've been using mine for about 10 years now. You can use the $50-60.00 Harbor Freight 1"x30" machine with much the same results. It's less $ but, I use this machine for much of my handle work as well as sharpening.

[uzemakistyle]

@mountainhollow lol my dad has a machine quite like yours, i was looking 4 a way to sharpen my knife, even bought several stones lol, and i found this vid way to late hahaha, but have you ever used a stone and compared the result? any big difference?

[hawkdlb06]

i was just wondering ir that was a grinder that you bulit yourself, because if so sweet set up

[mountainhollow]

Nope, didn't build that one. I wish, lol.

[blunderbus21]

Good video. I bought one of those jap sand stones..man it is hard to master. i think I will go this route. Harbour freight for Ok supplies?

[mountainhollow]

I used a 1x32 HF grinder before getting the machine in the video. That'll work fine, too.

[98snakeeater]

excellent video!!

[iWinKthxBye]

best knife sharpening video ever

[nestornegron]

This is one of the more simplest videos I've ever seen. Right to the point, with just enough theory to do a general knowledge and then right to the point. Excellent.

This guy just took less than 5 minutes to explain what others take in several videos.

[ToxicityAssured]

If the steel is heat treated then you are hurting your knife! The heat from friction is taking away the temper...

[mountainhollow]

No, it's not. You pass the blade quickly over the belt and cool in water with each pass. I've been using this method of sharpening for years adn I'm a full-time, sole-income maker. I've never had an issue with this method hurting the temper/edge holding ablities of any knife.

[rainmechanic]

@ToxicityAssured " If the steel is heat treated then you are hurting your knife! The heat from friction is taking away the temper." You have not a single clue what your talking about. First of all, you would have to get the main body of the blade up over 450 degree's to affect the temper of the steel.. the blade acts a heat sink to absorb heat generated at the edge.. Most professional sharpeners use this method.. How do you think factory convex edges are ground?... Mouse pads ? LMAO.

[ToxicityAssured]

@rainmechanic

Why are you such a jerk? Google "ruin temper belt sander" and see what you get. You need not heat the entire knife to ruin the temper, just the thin edge that does all the work. A belt generates a lot of friction, more so as you get finer grits.  It could be as fast as seconds. Makers use grinders for stock removal, not usually sharpening. Someone could see this video and mess up an expensive knife. Just saying to use some caution here, not everyone is as smart as you.

[888zzz]

If you want to maintain a somewhat coarse edge then why do you use the finest compound? Is it because the white is so fine that it isn't coarse enough to smooth out the fairly rough edge created by the 220 grit belt? Also, what is the name of the compound, and where can I buy it? Is it the same micron as any other white compound? I'm asking questions because I like your method. Thanks.

[mountainhollow]

The white compound just makes the leather belt smoother. it's not enough to polish the edge if you're just knocking off the wire edge. I get my compound from Pop's Knife SUpply and it's the Matchless white.

[888zzz]

Sorry I was unclear. What I meant by convex edge is a rounded cutting edge. When stropping with a flexible belt the edge is rounded which is ok for convex grinds, but some people want to maintain a flat edge on their Scandis so they strop on a harder surface like cardboard or leather glued to wood to prevent the edge from rounding. But you strop your Scandi ground blades with the same belt sander strop as with your convex ground blades and don't mind if the edge is rounded on Scandis, correct?

[mountainhollow]

No problem. No the scandis I do get stropped on leather glued to a wood board and then I give them a few passes down the blade edge lengthwise to correct the "scratch pattern" if they have a hand-rubbed finish.

[888zzz]

Do you sharpen all knives the same way no matter their intended use? Some polish knives to be used for push cutting and leave a coarser edge on knives meant for cutting rope or softer stuff like tomatoes.

[mountainhollow]

90% of the knives I do have a "toothy" edge. I prefer it that way but, some knive require a different edge. A razor uses a more polised edge, a "scandi-bushcraft" goes down to a zero edge, etc.

[888zzz]

Do you like a convex edge on all your knives even Scandi grinds?

[mountainhollow]

The "Scandi" grinds I do, do not have a secondary edge. They just get ground down to a zero edge with no additional sharpened edge.

[baddebt]

Can you sharpen like this using a duel table grinder?

~Debt

[mountainhollow]

Do you mean a "stone-wheel" type bench grinder?

J.

[Aeturn]

Digging the t-shirt, JD YEAH!

[rpttrsn1]

Great instruction video. I just purchased a SM1Kalamazoo 1" x 42" for sharpening, due to your video, for a toothy edge. Thanks for making this for us who go a step beyond. I ordered this over the Delta after reading reviews and the final cost + time to convert to a 3 or 4 step pulley system to slow it down. Thanks again for this Vid.

[mountainhollow]

Glad to help out!

J.

[GTP2K1]

Great Vid, was wondering; Have you performed any type of modification to the 1" x 42" belt sander your using to slow it down or gain a variable speed control? (somewhat popular with other models)

[mountainhollow]

Nope, I use it as it came from the factory. If your careful and not dragging the blade slowly and quench the blade between each pass, the factory speed will be no problem. I sharpen everything from tiny neck knives to short swords to axes with the same machine.

[mountainhollow]

Your right Don. I sharpen edge down and the belt is running down (the same direction as the edge). If the blade edge and belt were going in opposite directions it would be more likely to catch and pull the blade away from you one, messing up your edge and two, possibly causing a dangerous situation. I grind my blades edge up but, sharpen edge down.

[EVERYDAYDON]

This may be a dumb question but,

It looks like you are orienting the blade with the sharp edge down.

Is the sanding belt moving up into the blade edge or away form the edge.

Thanks

Don

[dahersafra]

Is there an easy way to know when you've used a belt enough and when it needs to be replaced, especially the leather belt?

Terrific video, by the way. I'm a convert too!

[mountainhollow]

Thanks. You can usually use a belt for sharpening for quite awhile. Once you notice the edge getting hot too soon, replace the belt. You don't want to loose any of the hardness on your knife edge. The leather belt can be used until is snaps loose. I've been using the same leather belt for years.

[mieses2pieces]

I just bought that same machine you have.  I can put a real sharp edge on a knife with it.

[25rounds]

Thank you Sir for the great information. Your video was made very well. I have already contacted the company that made your machine and have requested their catalog. More videos about knife sharpening such as this one would be welcome.

[xdhatcherx]

Where can you find a leather belt? I specifically looked at pops knife supply and couldn't find a leather belt there. Just the x-weight 1"x30" belts. Thanks!

[78835]

just get a bike knife sharpener

[rogerarnal]

Where can I buy "matchless mirror white"?

And what grit should I get.

Thanks in advance.

[richarjs]

great sharpening advice, and i like the knives you make a lot too. hopefully i can save the scratch to buy one soon!

[nnet3]

ooo thats cool.. i should get one..

[cubixthe]

One question, can You sharpen a Tanto blade on a belt without rounding the short edge ?

[mountainhollow]

I've had no problem there, I just start at the angle of both edges as opposed to starting at the choil on a standard style blade. Do this for both edges to prevent rounding anything off. Hope this helps.

J.

[cubixthe]

Thanks, I tried this method - I have a small grinder and had to make myself a leather belt but I must say the knife I worked on is scary sharp now, Brilliant :) One thing I have a problem with is catching the right angle, when the edge is high i often get 2 angles on it (like a step in the middle.. You know what I'm talking about) Don't know how to deal with that, the belt has a low speed and can't get a new angle all the way up (or down..)

[mountainhollow]

I hate to say this (I know I hated hearing it) but, it's just a matter of practice over using a jig for sharpening. I'm a full-time, sole-income maker so I'm just use do doing angles by eye but, I went through the same thing starting out. Sorry, I guess that's not much help. I'd suggest getting a bunch of cheap kitchen knives at a flea market or something for practice without ruining anything you care about.

J.

[nnet3]

the sharpener is cooland works quick but it is alot of maney.. you can get a 2 stone sharpener for a cheaper price and it works very well.......

[mountainhollow]

This grinder is more expensive but, you can buy a 1x30 from Grizzley for about $40.00 and do the same thing as here.

J.

[nnet3]

oo. i should get one...

[nate3993]

J, you're the greatest knife maker ever. Your knives are beautiful and you posted this video. I always wanted to sharpen my knives professionally, and now I can. THANKS!

[dominiquetanguay]

I need the name off this machine and place to buy it. Thank-you

[littledrummer125]

where can i get a leather belt like that ?

[deathofkindness]

Lee Valley bro for the leather belt

you can get a 1x42 sander at Sears or Homedepot IIRC

I use the 1x30 he talked about from harbor Freight and it works like a

[mreisma]

what kind of machine is that, how much would it cost. great video.

[dominiquetanguay]

Please, let me know the answer received for machine name and place to buy it.

Thank You

[dominiquetanguay]

Please, let me know the answer received for machine name and place to buy it.

Thank You

[1664royal]

Watched this, looked for a reasonable sander, bought it. Practiced on a crappy knife and haven't looked back. Really easy, really quick.

Thanks for this vid it gave me the kick in the ass I needed to try it myself.

[Frankallen12]

Mr. Neilson,

Just wanted to let you know,I got the Sharpening Machine 2 days ago and it's Awesome, almost like yours. I've been sharpening knives since a kid, now 58 but never used a belt sander... I can't believe how fast you make make a knife shaving sharp even $1.00 knives LOL. Went to the dollar store and bought some cheap china knives to practice on. Please don't be afraid to recommend the machine, I told you about!!

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Frank from Alabama

[Frankallen12]

Mr. Neilson ..Thanks you so much for your sharpening Video!! I know I have atleast watched it 20 times!! Very nice of you to let us know your sharpening method.

Thanks Again:)

Frank from Alabama

[playarob99]

thzt is out ragouse

[kimokanka]

Great video, very informative! My grandfather used to sharpen all of my mothers knives in her kitchen but i never watched him do it, i was too young to learn. This video really helped, THANKS

[renato555]

very good

[1BUCKLES]

sweet

[willisp2]

This is outstanding. I must give this a try.

[ptldm73]

J. - I have been sharpening knives free hand w/stones and an old leather belt since I was 12 years old and scaring my dad with the sharpness since I was 13 (I'm 41 now). Your video has to be the clearest an most easily understood directions I've seen. You are also the first person I've seen in a long time to recommend leather for the final stropping of the leather. Great work!

[bluetoad2001]

excellent tips.

you do know of what you speak.

a lot of info in a short span.

thanks.

buzzmonkey

[tcarlson99]

Best sharpening video among all I have seen on youtube.

There are some real bad ones.

[koji35]

great instructional video J. thanks.

[sinnersoup]

Great stuff J..... thanks

All the best. ;)

[Rcbalt2]

great vid j.

[orgone53]

A real sharp video. I'm going to order myself a leather belt for my grinder. Bruce

[JerzeeDevilcom]

You are a god! Nice shirt too!