Norax vs Trizact vs Blaze vs Cubitron II

D

DSTiamat

Joined
Feb 4, 2011
Messages
53
Hello,

As the title says I am a bit confused as of the perfomernace of these belts ( mostly cutting speed and belt life).
I am talking here exclusively about the ceramic versions (U936 for Norax and 953FA with Cubitron grain for Trizact ) as I live in Europe and shipping costs a whole bunch, no sense in ordering the lower belts, thats why I am searching for the best in each category). Also which one of these is good for sharpening ( I know that ony the structured ones come in the higher grits).

TY very much!!

DST
 
I've used the Norax ceramics, and they're great, a few of these filtered into the market in 2x72 a few years back, before I ever heard of ceramic Trizacts being available, so I can't compare. All I will say is that I use the ceramic Norax belts on every knife I make after 120 or 220 grit.


The advantage of these belts vs the aluminum oxide versions is that they cut much more aggressively. I only use the standard Trizact belts at A36 and finer now, since I don't have ceramic versions, I will say that the ceramic versions also seem to leave a more course scratch pattern but I think that's because they simply aren't glazing like the AO versions.


I use the Norax U936 X100 and X65 both for sharpening, they're exceptionally good on gummy stainless that's a bitch to sharpen without diamond stones otherwise.


As far as which is better, I bet they're very similar, although admittedly I haven't tried the ceramic 3m version. I typically favor 3m's belts over Norton's belts, and if the ceramic trizact are the same structure as the AO version, there may simply be more abrasive per belt. The standard Norax vs standard Trizact, the trizact has more longevity simply due to thicker abrasive build up on the belts themselves.


However if there is some gap in the grit progression of one belt vs the next, I wouldn't hesitate to mix and match.. I've only got one each of the Norax ceramics and I've used them on dozens of knives (lightly) and they show very little wear. If you bought 3 of each grit they'd probably last you for years.
 
Just to add, and you probably are aware of this, but these belts are no substitution for the standard Cubitron or Blaze course grit belts. I use standard type ceramics up to 220 grit before switching to these, and still use J weight AO belts for handles and fittings from 120 grit and up.


Just to clarify.
 
Norax ceramic has also an P80 Version equivalent, this one should be usefull for the primary grind if the belts last that much longer, am I right? Anyone tried these belts for grinding bevels?


DST
 
I am a long time Blaze user, but I have bee switching over th the Cubitron 984 series because they seem to have a better joint and they don't appear to have the melting glue on the platen syndrome. My experience with Blaze belts is that the backing oft time wears down before the abrasive is worn out.
 
I switched to the 3M 984 F belts 4 years ago and they are all I order in 36 and 60 grit. IMO they run the smoothest, fracture best and have the longest life of all those mentioned. The're not cheap, but they are well worth the money.

Fred
 
DSTiamat said:
Norax ceramic has also an P80 Version equivalent, this one should be usefull for the primary grind if the belts last that much longer, am I right? Anyone tried these belts for grinding bevels?


DST
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I doubt it, but I haven't used one.
 
Fred.Rowe said:
I switched to the 3M 984 F belts 4 years ago and they are all I order in 36 and 60 grit. IMO they run the smoothest, fracture best and have the longest life of all those mentioned. The're not cheap, but they are well worth the money.

Fred
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+1 on all you've said.
 
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Either of you guys tried the 947A Cubitron II's that recently became available? I'd be curious to hear what you think. They're a bit cheaper, supposedly designed for lower pressures. I also buy the 984F's primarily 36 grit and 60 or 80 grit.
 
javand said:
Either of you guys tried the 947A Cubitron II's that recently became available? I'd be curious to hear what you think. They're a bit cheaper, supposedly designed for lower pressures. I also buy the 984F's primarily 36 grit and 60 or 80 grit.
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I buy my belts from POP's knife supplies, I'll see if he handles these. Do they come in 120 grit?
 
Yeah Fred, I always buy from Pop also. He's who turned me on to them. What I *like* about these is the availability of them in 120 grit in X weight. I like sharp plunges and stiff flat lying belts help with those, as opposed to j weight belts. I wish they were available up to 400 grit.
 
Hmmm, so Pop carries those new(er) Cubitron ll's eh? I didn't realize that, as he doesn't have them listed on his site. Perhaps I'll give them a try on my next order. I've been using the 984F's in 36 and 60 grit for 2 years now and I love em. I don't much care for the Blaze belts myself in comparison.

Javan,
I like a crisp plunge as well and have been using Norton Norzon Bluefire Zirc belts in 120. They're an x-weight belt and leave a really nice finish for that grit, but I'll have to give those 947A's a try for sure. Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll be sure and ask Pop about them. I wonder why he doesn't have these new Cubitron ll's listed on his site?
 
Adam Buttry said:
Hmmm, so Pop carries those new(er) Cubitron ll's eh? I didn't realize that, as he doesn't have them listed on his site. Perhaps I'll give them a try on my next order. I've been using the 984F's in 36 and 60 grit for 2 years now and I love em. I don't much care for the Blaze belts myself in comparison.

Javan,
I like a crisp plunge as well and have been using Norton Norzon Bluefire Zirc belts in 120. They're an x-weight belt and leave a really nice finish for that grit, but I'll have to give those 947A's a try for sure. Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll be sure and ask Pop about them. I wonder why he doesn't have these new Cubitron ll's listed on his site?
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Adam,


If you'd ever been down to Pop's place in GA, you'd quickly realize how little he has on his website. ;)


I'd say maybe about 10% of what he carries is on there. He's also always happy to get just about anything you ask him for. The only thing he hasn't gotten yet as far as I'm aware, are the ceramic Trizact gator belts, that the OP was asking about. It's pretty amazing all the stuff he's got crammed in nooks and crannies. Tell him I said Hi if you talk to him.
 
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