One of the most intriguing things to do as a boy entering to adulthood or basically a “fix it” man is being able to forge your own knife from little chunks of metal and wood. In fact, in some cultures around the world being able to forge your own knife for hunting is a passage into manhood. Now although there are traditional or say natural ways of forging out your own knife, there are now machines invented to make one’s life easier and faster in the making of perfect knives or even swords. Well to your surprise and mine, these machines include sanders with a particular one known as a belt sander for knife marking.
Having the use of a belt sander for the making of your knife is recommended due to its ability to create a convex edge during the making of the knife, hence less metal removal. Having a convex edge increases the sharpeners of a knife for a long period of time as a convex edge does indeed give a more supportive part of a steel. Knowing how to maneuver your way on using a belt sander for knife making, will indeed not only get you the best results for your knife, but also lets you design the knife the way you did want it and how you did like to use it.
How to Sander a knife with a belt sander
- First basic principal is to hold your work piece with a two-hand grip, making sure your elbows are tight to your body while supporting the blade firmly. Enough amount of pressure is needed on the knives blade, which should be against the surface of the tool to avoid any shattering and random dangerous movement.
- Due to a lot of heat generating from the belt, it would be best to have a tape around one’s thumb and fingers to keep the heat from actually burning the hands. When working with shorter knives, it is recommended to put your thumbs behind it for extra control.
- Work in two directions. Making a knife will indeed entail you in sliding the blade side to side, making use of your left and right-hand skills. This the important part of making the knife, as the more skill you acquire in grinding from both sides while flipping the knife over the faster and easier it would be. A bucket of water is mostly placed nearby as a great amount of heat is produced while working and the need to dip your knife in the bucket of water every time it starts to get hot is highly important.
- Always start by shaping your actual outline of the blade, making sure to use a leveled table so as to be able to achieve an equal 90-degree angle throughout the blade.
- Sanding of the knife should be done at the actual level of the blade sharpening it at various angles to achieve a more accurate cutting edge. This stage is considered the hardest and skillful part of the knife making process and even much trickier during the work on larger blades. One should keep in mind making use of a belt sander for knives requires a constant practice and skill.
- Grind Slowly and smoothly, beginning from the edge working your way up the spine of the knife, remembering to put thumb pressure so as to make the grind deeper while using index finger moves.
Sanders for knife making are highly recommend for individuals who did like to forge their own swords or any black smith worker for with the use of a belt sander, one could easily with the aid of a handy table feature, adjust from front to back to give more support in controlling the knife while getting tight to the belt more easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use a Belt Sander to Make Knives?
belt sanders are not typically designed to be used on knives. They may damage the blade or cause it to seizure. In addition, using a belt sander on any type of metal can create an intense heat that could result in severe burns.
What Kind of Sander Do I Need for Knife Making?
The most common type is the belt sander, which is used to smooth out the surface of your blade. You can also use a palm sander or an orbital Sanders if you need to get into harder-to-reach areas. Make sure to wear protective gear when using these tools, including eye protection and gloves.
Do You Need a Belt Grinder for Knife Making?
A belt grinder can be beneficial for knife making, but it is not essential. A sharp blade will still cut through materials with ease if it’s properly honed and polished. Some people prefer to grind their own knives because they believe that this results in a sharper edge that lasts longer. However, there are also those who feel that having a professionally ground blade eliminates the need for maintenance or upkeep. It really comes down to personal preference!
What Is the Difference Between a Belt Sander and a Belt Grinder?
A belt sander is a machine that is used for sanding or grinding various materials. It has a revolving belt that is made of cloth, paper, or plastic and is driven by a motor. Belt grinders are similar to belt sanders in that they also have a revolving belt, but the belt is made of metal and it is equipped with special grinding stones.
