What is the difference between Norton Blaze and 3M Cubitron belts?

synthesist

synthesist

So many knives so little time
Joined
Sep 14, 2004
Messages
933
If any that is...........................

I've re-arranged my shop, after the broken water pipe and I need to replace the ruined belts with, hopefully, even better ones.

Thanks

Syn
 
Blaze currently have issues with leaving lots of crud on your platen and wheels. Cubitron seems to be less than optimal as a replacement but folks seem to really like cubitron II, I haven't gotten to really work any of them yet, so just passing along what I've found in my reading on the subject. I'm impatiently waiting on a 2x72 that should arrive this week and am looking forward to trying the better belt selection over the 2x42.
 
I have tried both. I only have a couple fo Cubitrons that I got at the knife show in Ft. Worth last week. So far I am very impressed. I have only used the 36 grit but it sure hogs metal off fast and seems to be holding up well. The lady at the booth says her dad uses them and is able to get around 12 knives per belt from them. Seems like an improvement over Blaze.
Jason
 
I have both (Blaze and Cibutron II) and feel like the blaze is a little bit more efficient for hogging, but the Cibutron II's last a bit longer. I'm definitely not getting 12 knives out of a belt - more like 4 to 6, depending on the size of the knife, but that might also be because of my grinding style...

I'd be curious to know other people's experiences with the two different belts, because I need to order some again soon.
 
I prefer the 3m 967's over Blaze for heavy grinding but the Blaze belts do give a cleaner/flatter surface on the finer grits. I am trying out the 984F Cubitron II's and the results are a little mixed, they rip material off very fast (especially on hardened blades) but they have not lasted as long as I had hoped so far. This may be due to technique, the last one wore out at the edges of the belt before the center was used up.
 
*takes notes* I guess the general opinions on the cubitrons varies a lot more than I thought. I've got a couple grits to try of the original, and will get some of the cubitron II next order.
 
Tha blaze belts are actually cheaper than the Cibutron's, at least on Tracy's site.
 
I am really starting to like the Cubitrons over the Blaze for initial grinding. The Blaze are good belts but the Cubitrons are holding up longer for me. The grit just seems to stay sharper longer using CPM154 and CPMS35VN.
 
I think it would help if we used the model #'s instead of just saying "cubitron", there is more than one type of cubitron belt availible. The 984F cubitron II is the newest one but the 967's are also called cubitron and have been availible for some time.
 
Perhaps someone could start a "Belt Chart" and others could add information
based on their experience. Which belts are great for what and which last the longest.

I'm not sure I know enough to even start organizing such a thing.:(

Bill
 
Not sure of their model number, but I've found no belt I like more than the yellow ceramic ones.
 
Justin King said:
I think it would help if we used the model #'s instead of just saying "cubitron", there is more than one type of cubitron belt availible. The 984F cubitron II is the newest one but the 967's are also called cubitron and have been availible for some time.
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Good point Justin. I am using the 50 grit 967F Cubitrons compared to the 50 grit R980 Blaze Plus on a 2x72 KMG.(2 H.P.) Usually running about 70 to 90% on the speed control. Full flat grind. Don't know if any of that makes any difference but it might on what belt to select.

I just haven't seemed to get the life out of the Blaze belts that some others on here have. Someone on a post in the past said to try the 967's, so my last order, I did (Thanks whoever that was). I ordered both brands in 50 grit and for me the 967F is just holding up better.
 
I've been using the 3M 984f in 36 in 60 grit for about 8 months. I like the way they perform. They seem to last quite a bit longer than the 977's which I used for 2 years.
The surface fractures well when you dress the belt. I'll continue to use them until a better belt comes along.
 
Danbo said:
Not sure of their model number, but I've found no belt I like more than the yellow ceramic ones.
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I believe they're the 967's Danbo, at least the 60 grit that I use for grinding bevels. I like 'em a lot, switched over from Norton Blaze about 8 months ago.

....and by the way, they are not yellow, they are GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!:D
 
Okay then.............I've got a lot to think about here. Thank you all

Who btw is the Tracy, mentioned above by Tedinatl, that sells sanding belts cheaper?

I can see that I may have to do some experimenting of my own.
 
synthesist said:
Okay then.............I've got a lot to think about here. Thank you all

Who btw is the Tracy, mentioned above by Tedinatl, that sells sanding belts cheaper?

I can see that I may have to do some experimenting of my own.
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Tracy at usaknifemaker.com

trugrit.com also has good deals on all of the mentioned belts.

Good luck!

I prefer the Blaze belts by the way but the 3M ones work great also.

EDIT Don't forget Pops too...
 
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I have not used the Blaze belts, and do all of my grinding on hardened steel. I use the 50 grit 967 Cubitrons to rough in everything and they seem to last for quite a while(4-6 knives) before they become profiling belts.
Also, check out http://www.popsknifesupplies.com/ for the 3M belts.
 
Mike Davis said:
I have not used the Blaze belts, and do all of my grinding on hardened steel. I use the 50 grit 967 Cubitrons to rough in everything and they seem to last for quite a while(4-6 knives) before they become profiling belts.
Also, check out http://www.popsknifesupplies.com/ for the 3M belts.
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Mike's right on! If you are going to go with Cubitrons.....get in touch with Pops! He's got the best price on 3m belts. I've bought from and had great experiences with both Tracy and Tru Grit, but Pops beats 'em on price and they are also very nice people to deal with.
 
Thanks for bringing up this topic, because I was just ordering some more 36 grit belts and was wondering if I should stick with the Blaze or the new 984. I've used the 984 in 80, but wasn't sure how they would be for hogging. I'll give them a try.
 
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