Nick Wheeler Hand sanding knives 101

I put this video together to help folks out that want to put a hand-sanded finish on a knife blade but don't know how to go about doing it. There are many ways to do it. The approach I show here is just one, but it is an approach that WILL work if you put in the effort. Hope it helps! :)

[@michaeldrinkwine4172]

Nick, just wanted to SINCERELY thank you for all the hands-on teaching. For those that aren't aware, it is a true privilege to get this kind of detailed instruction from a Master Bladesmith (don't bother to deny the status, Nick...) The time Nick spends on teaching us beginners, making the videos, and answering our questions is all gratis and is time away from his business and art of crafting knives. If any doubt the true value of the education we are receiving for free then simply go to Nick's website and see what a finished knife from him costs!! :) In the time it took to make this ONE video he could have been well on his way to completing a knife from his waiting list.

[@NickWheeler33]

Michael Drinkwine Michael- Thank you for taking the time to write that out, I really appreciate it!!! I'm always glad to hear from folks that have gotten something out of my ramblings... :D Nick

[@MeMadeIt]

Thanks Nick! I'm not a maker but these techniques helped me restore some knives much better than I've ever been able to do before. Much appreciated!

[@bradymcphail9690]

exceptional video! If I do what you suggest, there is no reason I cannot be one of the best in the industry. It's not common sense what your teaching, it's the years of your experience that you're so graciously giving us. Thank you Nick, you're a selfless craftsman building a strong legacy. All of us could learn a thing or 2 from you.

[@benpalmer616]

Thanks! I've watched your videos before, and sanded plenty of blades, but last night I actually tried to follow your process. The difference is night and day! Your process and technique solved so many problems I've had in the past. Thanks for sharing!

[@aaronwag2459]

Thank you very much for this tutorial after watching your video I went out and sanded a knife. I can't believe how great it looks. Thank you very much.

[@fredb7814]

holy smokes...now i finally get what ppl mean when they say with each new grit change direction...and that after i have handsanded many many blades...u never stop learning...thx for sharing....great job

[@fabianortega898]

Nick, thanks for putting this out bud. I was all off with my sanding. I'm on my very first blade.

[@rickhall5399]

I can't tell you how much I have improved my knife making skills watching your videos.You are a true craftsman and very detail oriented. Thank you for the time you took to help educate people. I for one can't thank you enough Nick. Keep up the great level of perfection you strive for.

[@bittermanbrewing]

Thanks for taking the time to make the tutorial. It is really helpful!

[@gregsmith2262]

Exactly what I needed you saved me a considerable amount of time and effort thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@ryansmith9641]

awesome video man. That was a welth of knowledge for a new knive maker like myself. You just answered a thousand questions I had within 27 mins. lol Thanks alot

[@mattsaunders8812]

awesome man, you just changed my whole process… I like your no bs approach and honesty. Thanks for the vid.

[@NickWheeler33]

matt saunders Thanks Matt.

[@franksworld9922]

thank you. your videos really inspire me to do the best job I possibly can I am getting way better at knife making.

[@NuManXplore]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to do it. It really helped answer some questions and figure out what I was doing wrong.

[@kaitheredninja9919]

That was brilliant Nick, thanks for that.

[@JohanvanZanten]

Hey Nick, thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge, I really appreciate it!

[@tiktock3434]

Sick video. Nothing is hidden with knifemaking and thats what makes it so great these days. Pure experience, skill and determination being shown here!

[@ninemile57]

Unbeleivebly expert priceless advice for anyone wanting to do their best at this craft. Love your sense of humor and and oh so tremendous videos!!Anyone that follows the details that you have explained in all of your videos WILL succeed at making beautiful knives. Cant say enough good about the time and effort and quality of your teachings.Just phenominal!

[@5adamjb]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge Nick.

[@gaspointknives]

Thanks for the video tutorials, I find all the info useful.

[@Hellgap50]

I like the point you made about moving on to the next grit to soon.All new knife makers will try and do this. Great tip. I don't finish the same way but 2 each his own .Great vid nick, kellyw

[@jrmym2]

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@scubasteve4sq]

great video! thanks man looking forward to more of these type videos.

[@knivesstuff]

Thanks for the video! I handsand my blades using my fingers without a sanding stick. I didn't know there could be so much technique behing handsanding.

[@NathanBeaudin]

Great videos. Thanks for taking the time.

[@DanielPhillips1977]

Really helped a lot. I have been doing it way wrong. Can't go from 400 grit to 1500. Thanks for the video.

[@lbcustomknives]

Thanks for that nick it really has helped.

[@timosthe0s]

Great Vid, Thanks Nick

[@12345NoNamesLeft]

Thanks Nick, good info

[@symons666]

Great video thankyou, and after cobbling one knife together and starting on another, how right you are about getting rid of the scratches before moving on, wirsh I had watched this first !!!

[@schande]

thanks for the intel. especially the opposing lines tip. i was sanding all of my grits in one direction and didn't seem to get anywhere. the fact that the knife in question was D2 didn't help a whole lot either. thanks again.

[@LucHebert13]

thanks for the tips! I'm no knifemaker, however I just stripped the black coating off my Becker BK7 and BK14 and these tips are definitely helping. I bought various grits of sandpaper as well as sanding sponges and I'm loving the sponges for this job, what's your take on those? Thanks!

[@cordgear]

Thank you.

[@Bowtie41]

I'm currently watching all of your sanding videos.Are these blades hardened,need to be hardened yet,or are they SS and don't need hardened?Thanks for sharing your knowledge!You mentioned being a student?Do you offer classes?Where are you located?

[@silverNgunz]

I"ve tried this on a few blades, and it turns out very nice. The only problem I have is getting a super clean plunge line. It's like the paper isn't getting in there tight. Do I need to try different style sanding blocks?

[@NickWheeler33]

silverN gunz What does your current sanding block look like? A chisel ground edge on a sanding block makes it a lot easier to get into the plunge and see better as well. :)

[@TheBobfriday]

I've watched this video and read a couple posts from bladeforums about your sanding sticks. You've got a metal one that you've put a bevel on that I really like. I'm curious if that steel is heat treated or just it's pre-heat treated state. And do you prefer the steel stick to your wooden ones that are shaped? I realize that usually you use the shaped ones on handles, but I'm just curious. Thanks

[@NickWheeler33]

TheBobfriday Bob- None of my sanding bars are heat-treated. It would make them more wear resistant, but I haven't found that to be necessary. It really just depends on what I'm doing as far as which bar I prefer...but I usually like the "paddle" styled bars the most because they are the most comfortable to use.

[@theelfman]

Thanks for the vid Nick. I have read somewhere that its best not to sand with your fingers just holding the sandpaper, instead of using a sanding block. Any thoughts on this? I have done this with my first two knifes and while the scratch marks all appear in one direction, the satin finish is not clean - I can see the individual lines.

[@NickWheeler33]

theelfman I'm not sure I understand your question...can you give me a little more detail on that?

[@bishop2355]

Hello, what did you mean when you said that you use simple carbon steels? Thanks

[@NickWheeler33]

bishop2355 Simple carbon steel: iron and carbon without a lot of alloying elements... such as W1, W2, 1084, 1095, etc. :)

[@gopherslingshots228]

Thanks for this Nick! Is your simple green solution diluted?

[@NickWheeler33]

Gopher Slingshots Yep. I don't get super particular about it. I just put about 1-1/2" of concentrate in the bottle and then fill it up with water. Really the only reason for the SG or Windex is they help avoid rusting while sanding. :)

[@geneclifford8662]

Hey there Nick, I appreciate all your information you are giving us with your video's. it's nice to see the time and care you take when making your knifes. I absolutely love all your little attachments you made for doing your hand grinding. Once I start making some knifes I am sure I will be calling you as I am sure I will be running into problems somewhere along the way.That's if its okay with you. Take care Gene

[@fredb7814]

holy smokes...now i finally get what ppl mean when they say with each new grit change direction...and that after i have handsanded many many blades...u never stop learning...thx for sharing....great job

[@kaitheredninja9919]

That was brilliant Nick, thanks for that.