How to Sharpen a Knife with a belt grinder.(SUPER FAST)

#knifesharpening
/ gentrycustomknives
This is probably the most asked question I get on the channel. How do I sharpen my knife using the belt grinder!? In todays video I show just how easy it easy to QUICKLY get a shaving sharp edge using just the belt grinder and a couple specific belts!!
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[@ghostwalkerairsofttech1947]

Been making edged weapons for over 20 years. However, I just got my first pro grinder. Out of all the people I've watched for different techniques you have probably been the most helpful. Thanks for this.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Wow well I really appreciate that!

[@dorseywsg]

Very good! Don't change your style1 Folks who love steel will invest in your coy presentation. Thank you!

[@garypostell5268]

Yup I see it , outstanding and very quick!

[@adelacour]

Really great advice. Sharpening has been my nemises for a long time, cant wait to try out your method. Thank you for sharing. Andy Jersey UK.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Glad I could help out! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@user-xm8bt9pq3q]

Total hobby knife maker really only been at it for a year or so really appreciate your videos and all the tips. You make it easy to follow for a newbie!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Awesome to hear thank you!

[@realsharpknives7988]

I use a variable speed 1x30 belt grinder to establish a burr then go to a Tormek T8 with diamond wheels than back to a 1x30 with a leather belt. Nice video.

[@lighthousefilms5530]

Thanks for your videos man. Helps me out a ton

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Awesome thank you for watching!

[@K3Flyguy]

Run it in reverse and turn the blade around. The angles are so much easier to achieve. You did a great job the way you did it! Nice video. Thanks for sharing!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

I need to add the reverse switch to this vfd some day!

[@e.t.preppin7084]

I would just finish with a few hand passes on a strop. Paper always cuts better on one side than the other. Thanks

[@drdemers1970]

Great instruction! Thanks!!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Thanks for watching!

[@brysonalden5414]

Let me add my thanks and appreciation for your continued contributions to the art. Being impatient, I sometimes want to set my VFD too fast, but that's a great way to lose temper. Resulting in MY losing my temper!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Well thank you for watching!

[@kevincolwell9575]

I have been doing this for over a decade. Add green chrome polishing compound to the belt. 400 grit, 600 grit, you can go 1000, then the leather. I also have used a felt belt with green chrome on it, too. Oh, you want to use the slack portion of the belt for the final polish. It gets rid of the burr like a hanging strop. Good choice of tools and techniques. I sharpen swords this way, too.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Very good to know thank you!!!!

[@superbmediacontentcreator]

Thank you for stating the grit you are using for the belt. That seems to be something others neglect to mention in their videos.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Glad to help!

[@sog711]

Dang, you gave away my sharpening secret. Lol. People have asked me for years how I get knives so sharp. None of that spending 20 minutes messing with stones or fancy weird sharpening systems. I've been using the superstrop belts in my 1 x 30 for years. Sometimes, I use a 1000 grit or 1500 grit belt first. Great videos. 👍

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Thanks for watching!!

[@cdothill]

Great video. I have the super strop for my 1x36 and it works great.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Are you able to slow it down with that size grinder or does the strop even work good at full speed?

[@cdothill]

@@gentrycustomknives8008 definitely can’t slow it down on that grinder haha. Works great at full speed thankfully. Can shave hair easily

[@elkops1653]

Thanks.I was looking for a simple way

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Glad to help!

[@nikknives9352]

Very nice! well done!!!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Thank you!!

[@petermosk9068]

Thank you, and i wish you and your familie a wonderfull year

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

You aswell!

[@nateb7631]

great tips!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Thanks for watching!

[@savagebladestx]

I’ve gotten good results by finishing on an a old belt flipped inside out and using that with some polishing compound. Gives a nice sharp polished edge.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

I’ll have to try that!

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Great video.. 👍🏼 👌 thanks for sharing 👍🏼...

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Thanks for watching man!!!

[@Jeff_Seely]

Yup. My 1"x30 belt sander was single speed. I put a light dimmer on it and can lower the speed to a crawl now. Works great.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Great idea!

[@os6219]

I actually use my grinder in reverse and sharpen on the top portion of it without the platten. Makes me control much better. Didn’t know leather belt existed to get rid of the burr which I work on the manual strop.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

That’s one thing I messed up on when I ordered my grinder, I wish I would have added the reverse switch to it!

[@jamesperkins9833]

I’ve been using the leather stropping belt for about three years now. I load it with polishing compound (best I can) and it works great to remove the burr/polishing the edge. The tracking is as you noted and can be funky to get used to but worth fiddling with. Great video!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

It’s taking some getting used to but overall I’m very impressed!

[@robertmunguia250]

How do you sharpen with the belt coming downwards and an angle guide facing up?

[@jamesperkins9833]

@@robertmunguia250 the stropping belt is used to clean up the edge after the edge is established and to remove the burr. It is run with the knife edge down. Think of a barber stropping a razor on a leather strop, same concept but done on a 2x72 for a knife.

[@robertmunguia250]

@@jamesperkins9833 ok so you have the blade facing down along with how the belt is running?

[@jamesperkins9833]

@@robertmunguia250 Yes sir, correct.

[@hackdlc]

I have tried several methods of sharpening. A Wicked edge,great for touching up but to slow for initial edge. A Tormek, also too slow. I just reverse my belt grinder and since I only use a couple of sharpening angle I built some jigs and get great consistent secondary bevels. Gonna have to get one of those leather belts.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Yes the leather belt is extremely helpful in the process!

[@Jimgoodwin846]

Thanks for this great video! I’m new to all this and my question is are you using very light pressure against the belt on all the passes.

[@hackdlc]

@@Jimgoodwin846 yes I just use light pressure and monitor temp of blade with my fingers. I try to run each grit till I pull a burr all the way along edge. Start at 220 then 400 then 600. I currently finish with a worn out 800 that I put white buffing compound on them a quick strop on a flat leather belt.

[@dlbknives4869]

You do it exactly the same way I do.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Well that’s good to hear! You go to 400 grit before strop?

[@davesmith5656]

Whetstone fan, here, but for chips and general deterioration, a belt is very much faster. Japanese use big grinding wheels. When the mega-burr is on, I go to a coarse grit stone. One big advantage to a belt or wheel is that the knife stays in one spot, unlike shoving it around on a whetstone. It's easier to set the bevel on a belt since the knife isn't moving back and forth in your field of vision and you have less body motion involved.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Interesting!! I’ve actually never tried a stone before!

[@davesmith5656]

@@gentrycustomknives8008 --- A year later reply to you ... to get the big burr off after using a belt sander, I found that I can lay the edge on a whetstone as if I were about to do an edge-trailing stroke, put about eight pounds of pressure on it (just guessing), and roll the edge over to an edge-leading position (at the bevel angle), and stroke. That pinches the burr against the stone, rolls it over under the blade, and with the stroke, cuts it off. I may have to do that twice. Then I just sharpen it.

[@ronniewiseman]

Very helpful. Recommendation: just put that blade against something black... your shirt would be fine...great video. Thank you!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Thanks for watching!

[@ShopDog1021]

Has this always been your "method"....been looking at lansky system only because I'm not as steady with my technique on my belts yet...your tip about slowing way down is good. I slowed down but not that much👍

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

This is a new way of sharpening for me. I’ve used the paper wheel system and I’m slowly transitioning over to the belt grinder.

[@bwell6863]

Dailey BB is that you on etsy?

[@ShopDog1021]

@@bwell6863 nope

[@stahlhart8998]

I do it edge up n no issues IF u dont push the blade against the platen like a maniac n run the belt slow AND use belts with a hard backing NO Jflex....those will not be totally flat on the platen ...

[@stahlhart8998]

Edge up is a nogo in my shop when using leather belts , wheels,....n so on....

[@robertbrander2074]

Interesting and Good Instructions ! ... Unfortunately , I don't have a $200 belt sander ...

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Man I wish that was 200$

[@e.t.preppin7084]

I prefer 600 grit then strop

[@DrakeDracoDragon89]

People saying using belt grinders take too much metal off and shortens the life of the blade. If I use high grit belts will it sharpen without taking off too much metal?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

It’s definitely aggressive over a hand sharpening method

[@user-ri8nd4ye8c]

Is there a difference in sharpening if your cutting edge is facing down like u do it compared to the knife cutting edge facing upwards??.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

I’d say it’s personal preference

[@tiendaforense]

do you think i can do the same job with an 80 dollar belt sander i purchased at harbor freight, it is certainly not as professional as yours. Thank you, beautiful video.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

The only problem is those run super fast. If you can find a way to slow your belt speed down then yes!

[@sog711]

Yes but don't use the 400 grit like he did on his variable speed 2 x 72 or you won't have a knife at all. Superstrop has kits with some 1000+ grit 1 x 30 belts and the leather ones. Practice like he said too because on those HF 1 x 30 even with 1500 grit you can burn or screw up your tip real fast.

[@RobToz2011]

Are you sharpening edge down or up? What are the benefits/downsides of either method? Does it matter?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Edge down for me. Totally personal preference

[@omnipresent1215]

Hi, thanks for the upload. Just wondering as it's been about a year... what is your assessment of the leather belt as of now? The reviews (via A'zon) aren't hugely encouraging (I regret).

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

It’s a great option! It’s held up perfect for me .

[@BrandonGuise]

I just got one and it does not like my machine either. lol. It kind of wobbles all over the place.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Yea they seem to run better in one direction

[@garypostell5268]

So question, how do you clean the leather belt?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Don’t really have to

[@MichaelSmith-cq4zk]

What kind of grinder is that ?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Kmg TX 👊👊👍👍

[@floraly88]

I'm a little late to the party but does anybody know if it's recommended to use safety gear like a dust mask or something?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Highly recommended

[@floraly88]

@@gentrycustomknives8008 In the video you don't wear a mask, also in many other vids I really don't see people wear masks that often. Any reason for that? Does it depend on the belt system or do they maybe have some other dust collection installed?

[@dufferfishing4217]

I also use leather belt for stripping. Mine is also problematic for tracking, but still works good

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Yea I’m not sure why they can’t just make those things straight

[@noblestalkergaming8788]

What belt grinder is that?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Kmg TX

[@paulsykes5880]

I to have the 'wobbly belt' problem.

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Yea not sure why the leather is hard to cut straight

[@markchambers2812]

I want that knife in this video ?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Message me any time to talk about it! Check my website or Instagram

[@_kevo_c0052]

I make a razor sharp edge in 5 minutes from 0 with bench grinder

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Cool

[@johnrussell3449]

You don't like your eyes very much?!

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Correct

[@lasersharpedge5489]

Should be titled "how to ruin your knife super fast

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

Why’s that?

[@gentrycustomknives8008]

I guess you didn’t watch the video then? I run a vfd to slow the belt down and have almost zero heat. Please watch before making rude comments 👍

[@redrum9612]

Lol it's not that bad.....I have had good results