Best/Longest Lasting Abrasives

H

Harley Boatman

Joined
Jun 21, 2020
Messages
98
I've been using Combat Abrasives since I started out and was always very pleased with their customer service and their belts. The only problem is that I went through two new 40 grit belts trying to grind in the bevels (post-HT) and ended up switching to a new 24 grit to finish. I just don't want to fly through belts like that.

I read on Red Label Abrasive's website that high humidity can lead to quick grit loss, and living in SWFL it's very, very, very humid this time of year so maybe that's it.

Anyways, now that I've blasted through my low grit belts and need to order more, I'm hoping you guys have some good suggestions.

Thanks!
 
What kind of steel and how long of a blade were you grinding?

I don’t know but I look for the best value abrasive... I find that to be VSM belts.
Belts are a significant expenditure for me.

I’ve never used combat Abrasives but if it’s those red shredder belts then I don’t think those belts are that good. I did try a couple shredder belts late last year.

I Don’t buy into that -use belts like they’re free...

That might work if you are grinding a 4 inch hunter and you can get $800 for it.

One thing you can do is use a Desmond belt Dresser. And After a belt is “worn”, I also split my belts in half to 1 inch and get more use out of them that way

If it’s a high wear resistant steel then you should try running the belt considerably slower

If it makes you feel any better ...I am grinding eight 9 inch kitchen knives of Magnacut and so far , I’m in for nine belts of Vsm 40 grit and I believe I will use at least 3 more. If it was z wear , it would be worse

all of the used 40 grit belts will be saved and used in the future on laminated steel blades
 
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Were you using ceramic belts or Aluminum-Oxide?

I've found that spending money on best of class belts is worth it. Norton Blaze ceramic belts have been my main stock removal belt for many years. I've also been very impressed with the longevity of Norton Norax U936 engineered ceramic belts and they are available in a range from 80 grit to fine grits.

Mike
 
I think I found you on Instagram
You are doing the thick 80crv2 outdoor knives?
Have you considered using thinner blade stock?

Harbeer
 
If you are grinding 3/16" thick steel post heat treat, you are going to need better belts then what you are using.

Blaze would be a better choice as well as VSM ceramic.

At that thickness you can grind about 75% of your bevels before heat treatment, that would also help.
 
HSC /// said:
I Don’t buy into that -use belts like they’re free...
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I guess it all depends on how one interprets this. I take it to mean: Don't try to get every last bit of grinding out of each belt, but to change belts as soon as you start to think it's time. Don't wait until you're sure it's time.
Used, dull belts will tend to scratch the surface of the steel opposed to removing material, so while it might look like you are removing metal because the scratch pattern changes, you're not.
Not sure if there's any science behind this, but I look at the amount of sparks coming off the belt to help tell when it's time. When I notice a significant decrease in the shower, it's time to change.
 
I think Deerfos Bora-7 is great bang for the buck. They have served me better than VSM, and wobble way less (big VSM problem in my experience).
I have hard time believing 3M 984 would do better than Bora-7, considering they are twice the price. But people speak very well of them.
 
" ....When I notice a significant decrease in the shower (of sparks), it's time to change."

Or, it is time to refresh the grit with a dressing stone/bar. If not used properly with high pressure and high speed, ceramic and other structured grit belts will glaze over and stop cutting. A few minutes of dressing and it grinds like new. A cheap $15 Ebay diamond dresser is a good investment.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
" ....When I notice a significant decrease in the shower (of sparks), it's time to change."

Or, it is time to refresh the grit with a dressing stone/bar. If not used properly with high pressure and high speed, ceramic and other structured grit belts will glaze over and stop cutting. A few minutes of dressing and it grinds like new. A cheap $15 Ebay diamond dresser is a good investment.
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Nice tip! I'll have to look into that.
 
There is no correct answer to your question. Everyone grinds differently, with different pressure on different grinders at different speeds. I have great luck with VSM, bad luck with Fandali. Someone else may have great luck with Fandali. I recommend trying different brands, different grits and different speeds until you find what works best for you.
 
I've been using 60 grit combat abrasive belts on hardened 8670, and in my experience, they die too quickly. I'm wishing that I had stuck with the VSM belts.

Not to step on anyone's toes here, but right on their front page, they claim to make their belts in the USA, but what I got from them is a bunch of Sunmight belts, which are made in South Korea. I find Combat's big sales pitch of being USA made to be disingenuous. I know that VSM belts are made in Europe, but they also don't claim otherwise.

www.combatabrasives.com

Combat Abrasives

Abrasives for the Knifemaker
www.combatabrasives.com www.combatabrasives.com
 
So far, VSM seem to be the best bang for my buck, based on what and how I grind.
Also keep in mind that a lot of ceramic belts need to be run fast to keep fracturing and cutting properly. Something like 5,000 to 6,000 SFPM if I remember right.
 
Drew Riley said:
So far, VSM seem to be the best bang for my buck, based on what and how I grind.
Also keep in mind that a lot of ceramic belts need to be run fast to keep fracturing and cutting properly. Something like 5,000 to 6,000 SFPM if I remember right.
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Run fast for high wear resistant steels that’s hardened ?

Not in my experience.

when I worked in a investment casting foundry for 12 years, we ground off the casting gates with abrasive belts. Lots of them. About $100k a year worth of a tablets. We used Norton. We tested all three major brands. Norton , 3m and Vsm. We had their application engineers on site.
All applications are different and no one ever said there was any specific range or even guidelines to operate within

Yes Vsm has study specs of belts running at 25-30 meters per sec or roughly 4500 sfpm and that will be on 35 rc hardness steel
 
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N.W. Gean said:
Not to step on anyone's toes here, but right on their front page, they claim to make their belts in the USA,
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Here is the trick
They materials are made elsewhere, but they are assembled into belts thus they are "made in America"

On another note, I have used hundreds of VSM belts over the years and wobble has never been a problem, while it can happen in even the best of belts it is not common.
 
HSC /// said:
Run fast for high wear resistant steels that’s hardened ?

Not in my experience.

when I worked in a investment casting foundry for 12 years, we ground off the casting gates with abrasive belts. Lots of them. About $100k a year worth of a tablets. We used Norton. We tested all three major brands. Norton , 3m and Vsm. We had their application engineers on site.
All applications are different and no one ever said there was any specific range or even guidelines to operate within

Yes Vsm has study specs of belts running at 25-30 meters per sec or roughly 4500 sfpm and that will be on 35 rc hardness steel
Click to expand...
Norton abrasive.............

RECOMMENDED GRINDING BELT SPEED

Heat sensitive materials,plastics, etc.5-15m/s

Stainless steel, high-speed steel& tool steel 20-30m/s

Sintered metals & carbides 8-15m/s

Grey cast iron & cast steel 30-40m/s

Titanium & similar alloys 8-15m/s Carbon steel 30-40m/s
 
AVigil said:
Here is the trick
They materials are made elsewhere, but they are assembled into belts thus they are "made in America"
Click to expand...
Much the way that the Ford F150 is made in Michigan, but take a closer look at the stickers on some of the parts and see what they say.

I just don't understand the obfuscation. A lot of things aren't made in the US anymore. Maybe that's good or bad, but I think that to claim something that isn't necessarily true will do more damage to a brand in the long run.
 
HSC /// said:
What kind of steel and how long of a blade were you grinding?

One thing you can do is use a Desmond belt Dresser. And After a belt is “worn”, I also split my belts in half to 1 inch and get more use out of them that way

If it’s a high wear resistant steel then you should try running the belt considerably slower
Click to expand...
The blade is 80CrV2 and 6.75" long and almost 2" tall at the fattest part of the belly

I'm not familiar with what a belt dresser is and how it works, does it bring out new abrasive?

Also I'd love to be able to go slower but I made the mistake of "I can afford this for now and buy a better grinder later" so I only have one speed.. really fast 😅🤣
 
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