The Fastest Way to Sharpen a Knife?!? | How to Sharpen a Knife On a Belt Sander | Knife Making Tip

Learn how to sharpen your knives on a belt sander and reduce the time you spend sharpening to minutes! In this video I explain my process for taking a totally dull knife to razor sharp on my belt sander/grinder. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, and we'd love to hear from you if you try it out yourself. Please leave us a like and subscribe if you enjoy the video, since your support helps us grow!
Strop Video: • How to Make and Use a ...
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We are a team of two brothers that creates handcrafted knives. From the initial designing and grinding of the steel blanks to the final sanding of the handle, each step of the process is done by hand, which makes every knife that comes out of our shop 100% unique. In all of our blades, we strive to combine the clean lines of modern design with excellent performance, so that your knife will do its job properly and look great in the process.
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[@medieplus]

*This is exactly what I needed for trimming the edge of oak boards **MyBest.Tools** I also used the disk to round edges while building an oak - walnut cabinet.*

[@RandomCatting]

Great instructional thank you

[@willyechevarria6161]

Great work

[@user-qn9ob6cv5c]

Nice !!! Thanks for the tutorial!!!

[@jasonlaseman2022]

Thanks for posting this. Very helpful.

[@StarkKnives]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!

[@harveyrodriguez5823]

Awesome video thank you

[@carentanbr]

This is a great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@StarkKnives]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching.

[@Laszlomtl]

Very Cool!! Short and sweet your video is! It's got to be one of the best out there... I'm glad I came across it!!! All the best. Laszlo Montreal

[@Keithers_]

Wow, I agree, works great. I sharpened on 80 grit and then stropped and what a difference, even with the rough edge. Ordered some finer belts

[@StarkKnives]

Awesome! Glad it worked well! The finer belts will help a lot too

[@nfldream221]

Simple and plain thank you

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks for watching!

[@sonnyd.2820]

This a great video. Well done and very informative.

[@StarkKnives]

Thank you! I’m glad you found it helpful!

[@ChezzusXrift9]

Really good video! 👍Thank you! 👍

[@StarkKnives]

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching!

[@hammersmith3146]

Hello. I gotta say you make beautiful knives. I've been making knives for a few years now and yours are some of the nicest I've seen. I told myself that I wouldn't buy any more knives when I started making my own but! I might have to get one of yours lol. Good video! Keep up the good work.

[@StarkKnives]

Thank you for the kind words! If you ever want one, feel free to message or email me!

[@JavenarchX]

I love how you don't blink 🤩

[@jameskapales4696]

Love the video keep up the great work. Your blade was beautiful as well.

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate it. 😃

[@b2bogster]

Nice to see a new face in the KZbin knife Smithing community. Thank for your info. I will definitely try this method on the knifes I make.

[@StarkKnives]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck!

[@CanadianMapleleaf]

Great video young man!

[@StarkKnives]

Thank you!!

[@jukio02]

Cool, thanks. I got the Work Sharp Onion edition. It works great. But, I will try out 1x30 sander for my next purchase in the future. I actually tried an oscillating multi tool(Milwaukee) just for fun, and it actually worked really well. I put the knife in a bench vise and then sanded the edges at a 15 degree angle.

[@StarkKnives]

Nice! Turns out there’s a lot of ways to sharpen knives haha!

[@garypostell5268]

That was a beautiful knife 👍💯Thank You 🙏

[@StarkKnives]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed. 😃

[@pal6636]

The little pointers and detail communicated along the way are indispensable. Makes all the difference. Thanks very much 👍 (pretty Damascus pattern btw)

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks for the good feedback! I appreciate the kind words and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Agustin-jo8mv]

Thanks bro

[@MrSoloun]

That's sharp :) Nice, great looking blade as well. Subed.

[@StarkKnives]

Thank you very much!

[@harveybeekerthegreysquirre8262]

Sweet

[@Asdasd-kb9ib]

Good job 👏

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks!

[@gmacka6333]

Nice job buddy. Good work

[@StarkKnives]

Thank you!!

[@ZenyWorld]

Good job. I'll try to do using my sand belt (small one).

[@StarkKnives]

Good luck!

[@stevemarce1988]

You are Awesome! 💥

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks, you too! 😎

[@schleifjunkieshannsplag8635]

well done

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks!

[@darellteague3845]

Love it

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks Darell!

[@robertbrandywine]

Wow! I have never seen that test where you just let the knife fall onto the phone book paper. That's super sharp!

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks! 😎

[@ChevySS1968]

Great vid, this beats sharpening by hand. I have 1" belt sander, I might set it up. Nice sharpness test! Sharp as a Samurai sword.........😄

[@StarkKnives]

Yeah that’s what i used for a long time! Works well, just have to make sure you don’t overheat the edge. Thanks!

[@joef1551]

Just want to say thanks for your tip about laying the harbour freight sander on its back Once I tried doing it like you suggested I got my knifes so sharp it’s scary.

[@StarkKnives]

Glad it worked.! 😃

[@miguelp10912]

Hello again. I'm excited to receive the parts and materials I ordered to build my custom 2"X72" belt sander. In order to match or achieve a close approximation of your belt sander's speed I would need to know the actual "max rpm" of your motor and the diameter of your drive wheel. It would be such a great help if you could find this info somewhere on your machine, motor spec tag/plate or owners manual. Thank you. Of all the instructional videos I have watched on KZbin yours has been the absolute most clear and straight forward yet. The part of your sharpening demonstration where you can actually see a perfectly clear visual of the burr being raised is exceptionally clear and in good focus. Truly awesome. Love your work.

[@StarkKnives]

Hi! I’m glad you liked the videos! My grinder is from Brodbeck Ironworks. If you go to their website it should have some info. Otherwise just send them an email and I’m sure they’ll help you out! :)

[@miguelp10912]

@@StarkKnives Perfect! Thank you so much.

[@legalsolutions07]

Good vid. Do the same principles apply to a knife that has dulled from use? Do I need to set an edge on a dulled EDC knife?

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks! Yep, it should be the same process. You often can start at a high grit belt though. :)

[@benbroeckx1905]

I'm looking to buy a leather strop in eu 50x1500mm but can't find anywhere

[@ZiggyLuc-zq2ii]

Loved your video, can you please let me know where can I buy your belt sander that you are using on your video.

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks! It is a Brodbeck Ironworks grinder!

[@mguerramd]

WAY faster than using stones, I use a 1x30 variable speed Rikon. Exactly as you show, works perfect.

[@denniskusek6786]

Go Big Red

[@StarkKnives]

Haha you know it!

[@mountainbikerdave]

Did that grinder come with a variable frequency drive or did you have to buy that separate?

[@StarkKnives]

It came with it!

[@paparitz1]

Harbor Freight Belt Sander speed control = Go to Walmart & buy a Rotory Button Light Dimmer & carefully wire it in line to your Sanders power cord. " Now the Sander has speed control !

[@StarkKnives]

Good tip!

[@blufordbirdsong1834]

Will that work? Have you tried it?

[@StarkKnives]

I have not tried it, so I am unsure!

[@SwingingPythons]

Iv read that you can't do that but I'm not sure.

[@anthonyscarito7160]

Damn knice!!!

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks!

[@Mr521352]

I have a 2 x 42 inch belt sander and am getting a BESS score of between 100 and 135 by using a 600 grit belt to get the burr and a leather belt loaded with .25 micron diamond paste. I would like to get to a score of 60 (BESS scale). Do you think I need a belt between the 600 grit and the leather belt?

[@StarkKnives]

I don’t have any experience with the BESS scale, but I could see a finer belt in between giving a more polished edge for sure. 600 to strop will end up pretty toothy (which I personally like). Give it a try! It shouldn’t be too expensive to get a couple belts to test it out. :)

[@scottprillaman6390]

I have a question, a lot of sharpening videos (especially ones featuring stones,etc) when raising a burr they usually work on just one side of the knife until a burr is felt, then they go to the other side to knock off the burr then move to a higher grit. I noticed in your video, and several others using belt sanders, you alternate one side of the knife to the other in getting the burr. Is there a reason for this, maybe because the belt sander is moving so much quicker?

[@StarkKnives]

That’s a good question! I personally alternate because I want to take an even amount of material off of each side and not over-grind. You could pretty easily end up with a chisel edge that way I imagine. Why stone sharpening differs, I’m not entirely sure. I suppose you could do it either way and achieve similar results.

[@ilikewaffles3689]

Where can I get the 2000 and 3000 grit belts? Looks like most only go up to 400 or so

[@StarkKnives]

Combat Abrasives has some! You can also look up 3M micron belts online.

[@Parahelion]

We use belt sanders at Bass Pro Shops and it works wonders. We use 3 different belts as well.

[@StarkKnives]

Nice!

[@4056yates]

I've always thought it makes more sense to sharpen. In the direction you do. I've seen some popular people on KZbin sharpen with the belt going towards the edge. Rather than away, and that seems to me like it would wear the belt. Out of a lot fasir, is that why you sharpen away?

[@StarkKnives]

I like it because I can really easily see the burr being raised and I don’t worry about the edge catching. :)

[@Laszlomtl]

Do you strop with your leather belt at the same angle as with your sharpening belts or a little less...? Thanks.

[@StarkKnives]

I do the same angle.

[@gagemiller7068]

What kind of hearing protection are you using? I am seeing a good number of smiths, blade crafters and sharpeners using ones like what you have.

[@StarkKnives]

I always wear in ear earbuds and then it’s just a 3M over ear muffs. I’m not sure what the particular model is but it’s easily available online or at hardware stores. :)

[@K3Flyguy]

May I ask what is the most popular knife design you make?

[@StarkKnives]

I’d say either the EDC Tanto or 8” chef’s knife!

[@jujugabe2935]

What belts would you use for carbon steel? Does the belt matter for the type of steel?

[@StarkKnives]

I use the same belts for all steels! Some just wear out the belts faster.

[@robertmunguia250]

You have a link for that grinder?

[@StarkKnives]

My main grinder is a Brodbeck Ironworks grinder. This one is a Pheer. :)

[@swingbelly]

Belt sharpening seems to be the way to go, provided one has the eye for angles and the proper draw through momentum. Same for wet stones. Takes much practise and patience. How many knives did you destroy before becoming proficient? Others can sharpen to insane edges using low speed grinding stones and buffers in less than 3 minutes. Thanks for the video.

[@StarkKnives]

I actually didn’t destroy any! I started with cheap kitchen knives and ones that I didn’t mind messing up a bit. But the learning curve was pretty short!

[@swingbelly]

@@StarkKnives Wow, you must be a Mozart in the knife sharpening business. Lots of wanna be "professionals" out there looking for KZbin bucks. Ain't as easy as you portray, bro.

[@jimcraig7783]

What brand of 120 grit belts do you use?

[@StarkKnives]

Combat abrasives ceramic! I’ve used VSM in the past too.

[@jimcraig7783]

Where can I find handle material like you have on the knife in your video?

[@StarkKnives]

We get it from The Blank Space.

[@jimcraig7783]

Thanks.

[@dimmacommunication]

How would you compare the trizact to norton belts ?

[@StarkKnives]

I haven’t used them personally, but I would expect them to work similarly!

[@dimmacommunication]

@@StarkKnives I've heard good things, that they are better than trizact. Unfortunately here in Europe they aren't sold

[@kenmastersmaster]

Any way to use a wedge to control the angle vs free hand?

[@StarkKnives]

It’s tough to use a wedge with the grinder but maybe you could rig up some sort of guide? I feel like there’s probably a tutorial out there somewhere.

[@kenmastersmaster]

@@StarkKnives I was thinking a block of wood at 73 degrees giving me the 17 degrees I need for the edge. Also I would be getting the harbor 1x30 because I'm starting out and don't want to spend serious money to sharpen a few folding knives. Would that belt sander work reliably if I wanted to grind out some bevels and make my own blades in the future from a steel wafer?

[@StarkKnives]

I made my first few knives on that and it can get the job done with good belts and patience. It’s hard to get super even bevels and it’ll bog down but it is much better than files!

[@JamieDolan]

How much practice does it take to be decent enough at this to feel confident to work on a more expensive knife?

[@StarkKnives]

I’m sure everyone learns and is comfortable at different rates, but I would say within sharpening 5ish knives would be a good guess.

[@zezoss9308]

dear, how many grits in those belt? and plz tell me for how long does knife keep its edge sharp?!?

[@StarkKnives]

120, 400, and leather strop. It stays sharp a long time! It depends on how much you’re cutting and what.

[@Wildmann3]

Hey! I dont know if youll see this after such a long time. Im looking into buying a small belt sander, but i cant seem to find the other 2 types of belts you are mentioning. Might be because im from europe, but where did you buy yours? And whats the name of them again?

[@StarkKnives]

Hi! I use a 120 grit belt (ceramic or aluminum oxide), then 400 grit (the one in the video is an A45 Trizact belt, but a simple aluminum oxide would work fine), and then a leather strop belt. I got them from Combat Abrasives, but they are available other places online. The leather belt brand is Surgi-Sharp.

[@Wildmann3]

​@@StarkKnives Holy moly. I didnt even expect an reply, and i got one within a day. Thats a sub right there :D Well, i thought about getting a Ryobi rbds4601g, to use in my small workshed. Unfortunately i dont think i can get belts for this, that i can use for knifes. The measurements for belts is 100 x 914 mm. Or am i in the wrong on this one? Do you reckon i could use this one for knives aswell?

[@StarkKnives]

You could try but that is a different type of sander and I’m not sure what belts they have for that size.

[@pellelind897]

What type of beltsander do you use :)

[@StarkKnives]

I have a Brodbeck ironwork one now. I used to use a Pheer.

[@zezoss9308]

what is the speed of the sander......is it fine to sharpen at high speed

[@StarkKnives]

I think mine goes up to 1800 rpm or something but I usually turn it slower. It can be okay to sharpen at high speed but you want to make sure you do quick passes and dunk in water to prevent the heat from building up.

[@nathanasselin1103]

Wow I didn’t know there were multiple ways to sharpen knives! This is the quickest apparently... but my question is... which method is most effective? 🤔

[@StarkKnives]

For sure, there are always new things to learn! I don’t think there’s one single “perfect” method. It depends on what type of edge (convex vs V, mirror polish vs toothy, etc...) you want for the tasks that you are performing. 🧐

[@tennesseekartgarage]

@@StarkKnives how come some people sharpen with the edge going against the belt instead of with it? I’ve noticed that recently and was wondering the effectiveness of each method.

[@miguelp10912]

Can you tell me what the RPM range of your belt sander motor is? I noted you like to run it as low as 40% to 50% speed. I'm wondering what the actual SFPM of your belt is at 50% motor speed?

[@StarkKnives]

I’m not 100% sure but I think the max speed is around 1800rpm. The exact calculations I’m not sure of. :)

[@miguelp10912]

@@StarkKnives Thank you. 50% of 1800 rpm is 900 rpm. I'm building a custom 2 x72 belt sander and I needed to know what size drive wheel I needed get as close to your belt speed as possible. Your results are outstanding. I don't see any reason to run mine any faster than necessary. My lowest motor speed is 2,000 rpm so if I use a 2 inch drive wheel I'll get 1,000 SFPM (Surface Feet Per Minute) wich is only 100 rpm higher than yours. Thanks again. You are the man. Love your work.

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks for the kind words, glad you like my work and I’m happy to help!

[@jimcraig7783]

When I put the leather belt on it wobbles really bad. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.

[@StarkKnives]

They do tend to wobble more than normal belts. Once you put the knife on them they tend to run a bit smoother. The wobble shouldn’t affect it much.

[@jimcraig7783]

Where can I find a leather strop like you use? Does it have a brand name?

[@StarkKnives]

Combat abrasives sometimes sells them. They are usually Surgi Sharp belts I believe.

[@Bluntfacekillah]

@leatherbeltman makes them as well!

[@genesmith2416]

Did you only sharpen one side? Or do you raise a bur the flip and raise a bur again 🤔

[@StarkKnives]

I do both sides and raise the burr on each. 😃

[@robertbrandywine]

The main thing guys who don't have sanders worry about is how to keep the angle the same between different grit belts. It puts some off of buying a belt sander. How do you do that, just eyeball it?

[@StarkKnives]

I’ve done so many that I know the general angle to hold them at for a 15 or 20 degree edge. When I started, I measured the angle with a block and then transferred it over to the grinder.

[@Laszlomtl]

Wasn't your first belt the 120 Grit, a _Norton Blase Plus Ceramic? Oh, and I haven'tt noticed you changing the direction of your leather belt's rotation... Did you?

[@StarkKnives]

Glad you enjoyed the video! The first belt was a 120 ceramic Shredder from Combat Abrasives. The Blaze belts would work as well though. I don’t change the direction of the belt usually. :)

[@Laszlomtl]

@@StarkKnives Obviously you're not afraid to cut the belt and yourself... Further proof that you really mastered your craft. Good for you! Stay Sharp...

[@StarkKnives]

Thanks! I do go with the direction of the belt so that it doesn’t cut the belt. That’s why I’m holding it at the top of the grinder with the edge facing me.

[@Laszlomtl]

So all three belts were running towards you at all times Right? And the blade is following the direction of the belt. Not agains it... Right? I just want to be 100% sure... Thank you for you patient... Laszlo Montreal _Photography_ on Facebook and on Instagram

[@StarkKnives]

Correct!

[@krunalkhambhayata9389]

Hey brother, I'm from India and I want to know that from where I can purchase these blets?? Can you please drop the link....

[@StarkKnives]

I got these from Combat Abrasives. www.combatabrasives.com

[@krunalkhambhayata9389]

@@StarkKnives thank you brother

[@guidokotters3614]

🙋‍♂️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@dimmacommunication]

How much does you sander cost ?

[@StarkKnives]

It depends on what package you get. You can check the price on brodbeckironworks.com 😃

[@electric8668]

I didn't know Orlando Bloom's hobby was knife sharpening.

[@StarkKnives]

😂

[@robbabcock_]

I agree that a grinder is handy but in the time it took you to get all that PPE on I'd have been done sharpening the knife on Atoma diamond plates.😂

[@spazuno5738]

Shouldn’t you switch spin direction of the motor as a safety measure? That way if by any chance the knife gets caught by the belt it won’t fly towards you

[@StarkKnives]

Since I go edge down, there is little to no chance of the knife catching and getting thrown. I also run the grinder pretty slow and have the knife held pretty tight. That is a valid concern/thought though!

[@robertbrandywine]

You don't need to change the spin direction, just flip the knife so that the spine is "upstream".

[@ceenote100]

Why do you go one way in a belt but then sharpen the opposite way on a wet stone?

[@StarkKnives]

I like being able to see the burr forming in this direction. It’s easier when it’s fast like on a belt vs stone.

[@jujugabe2935]

What’s your process if the machine needs repairs?

[@StarkKnives]

Contact the grinder company haha!

[@philswaim392]

Floofable hair, kissable face, sharp edge. Everything a man needs

[@tangofoxtrot4603]

Looks awkward and a little dangerous the way you hold the knife to the belt, We always sharpen with the edge away from the body, reverse the motor to get the belt rotating in the opposite direction.

[@StarkKnives]

That works too, I just like seeing the edge and burr formation this way. I’ve done probably over 1000 knives this way and haven’t had a safety issue yet (knock on wood)! 👍🏼

[@mikeanthony07]

Ok great teaching video …..now go cook something your girlfriend will “appreciate it”!

[@FlyGuy2000]

One person cut his finger because his knife was too sharp.

[@StarkKnives]

😂😂