Quick & easy knife sharpening - J. Neilson

This is how I sharpen my knives. A belt grinder is needed but, it's fast and easy.

Thank you for all the comments. Here is a link to the actual machine I use- http://www.kalamazooindustries.com/belt_sanders.asp - in my sharpening. It didn't have the top cover on it so I didn't realize it was a Kalamazoo belt set-up with the Baldor motor. Sorry for any confusion.
J.

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• knife
• cutting
• forge
• contest
• camp
• 1
• rope
• cut
• test
• J.
• Neilson
• mountain
• hollow
• sharpening
• clean-up
• hand-rubbed
• finish

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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?

[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.

[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.