If it does any less than that you are going to dull the blades. All you have to do is turn on your belt sander and run your blade lightly across it. However, it’s impossible to hold it at the exact angle while you’re working unless you have a work plate on which to set your knife. There are also two sizes available, which can be either two or four inches. Yes, there are still some techniques you need to know (more on that later). In this case, the H6070 from Grizzly is a 2-in-1 model that allows you to use either a belt or a rotating sander to fit your needs. What are the downsides? That means that if you want something that will give you the best edge possible, this is a fabulous option. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'knifepulse_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',172,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'knifepulse_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',172,'0','1']));As I’ve already said, belt sanders make it very easy for you to sharpen your knives. As a knife collector, I didn’t want to ruin my precious knives. Remember, belt sander sharpen fast! If you aren’t skilled using the belt sander, it’s best to avoid using it for your knives. Overall, this attachment is ideal for sharpening, shaping, cleaning, and polishing your knives (or other metal objects). When referring to size, there are two things that you should be looking at overall. Make sure you test for a burr every few strokes. Even if you do know how to use a belt sander, it still eats metal fast. You want to be able to push the belt a little back but still have a little tension. Technically speaking, the motor is reversible, but we don’t recommend that you do that with sharp objects, unless you want to injure yourself. I have been doing this for years and believe I am a master of this art. Once the nicks are gone, follow the standard procedure with a 50 or 100 grit to sharpen it up. But when I’m not spending time with my hobby, I’m here, writing about Knives and Sharpeners on KnifePulse to share with you what I learn along the way. After a few strokes, you’ll find that the burr is gone. This is yet again a machine that is built with woodworking in mind, but you can easily adapt it to fit your sharpening needs. Yes. For this method of sharpening, you’re going to need a few items. So I tested it out on some cheap knives first. Highlighted features of this unit include an adjustable belt tracker, a work plate that tilts up to forty-five degrees, and a dust collection chute to make cleanup even easier. Most sanders will take belts that are either one or two inches wide, but the real difference is the length. While this is mostly helpful for woodworking, it can come in handy when sharpening as there will be tiny bits of metal shavings that come off. You don’t want to push it in too hard because that will destroy your blade. When you run your blade across the sander, push it into the sander ever so slightly. To get a proper edge on your knife, you have to hold it at an angle. I believe there is a handyman in all of us as long as you have the right tools. However, there seems to be an equal number of enthusiasts who are horrified by this. At the end of the day, it all boils down to your choice. If you do, there is a big chance that you will end up damaging your knives instead of sharpening them. We like the fact that it is specifically designed for sharpening knives, meaning that you get the best performance and don’t have to change anything about the machine itself before you start working. And instead of a sharp smooth edge, you’ll have a chipped and jagged blade. 5 Simple Steps to Sharpen a Knife Using a Belt Sander, Make sure the belt isn’t too tight or too loose. What Are the Disadvantages of Sharpening with Belt Sanders? Don’t use a very gritty belt, nor a very soft one. They feel that there is too much risk involved in using this type of sharpening. Best of all, both sides have a work plate that bends up to forty-five degrees, making them ideal for sharpening or grinding. If there is too much heat on your blade, this will damage it. One of my hands is on the hilt, while the other holds the tip of the blade. If you have an extensive knife collection, then you know how important it is for you to keep them in pristine condition, which means that you have to sharpen them on a regular basis. By the time you are done sharpening, there should be a nice burr on your blade. As we mentioned, you get both a belt and a rotating sander, which means that you can use the rotator as a buffer if you want to. Best of all, you can change belts quickly in a matter of seconds. And if you are careful, you shouldn’t have any problem at all when you use a belt sander. One thing to keep in mind with this product is that it is only designed to work with bench grinders, so if you don’t have one then you can move on down the list. When I tried using this, I was able to get a very dull blade to razor-sharp in almost no time at all. Our final device is a standard belt sander from Central Machinery. Also, don’t get a model that is too fast, either, as you could lose control of the knife if you’re not careful. Belt sanders sharpen fast so be careful, Switch to a leather strop once your knife is sharp, Add honing compound to your leather strop for best results. This is an important step to ensure the sharpest knife possible.