Every belt change should have a job. Use 36 grit when there’s a lot of steel to move, 60 to bring the bevel close to shape, and 120 to clean up the grind. If the blank is already close to profile, start at 60. If the scratches from the last belt are still there, stay on the step you’re on.
Pick your starting grit
- 36 grit ceramic for heavy stock removal. Reach for it to profile a rough blank or take down a lot of steel. Leave yourself enough material for the next belt to remove the deep scratch pattern and bring the grind to your layout lines.
- 60 grit ceramic for shaping the bevel. Start here on a near-net blank or after a 36-grit pass. Use it to even out the bevel and erase the coarser marks before you get too close to your final geometry.
- 80 grit ceramic as an optional bridge. If 120 is taking too long to clear the 60-grit scratches, put 80 between them. Keep it in the sequence when it saves time on your steel and grind.
- 120 grit ceramic for scratch refinement. Use it to leave an even pattern before moving on to finer abrasives. Check the heel, plunge and tip, where stray coarse scratches are easy to miss.
The 2x72 Ceramic Trial Kit has two belts each in 36, 60 and 120 grit. The ceramic six-packs come in 36, 60, 80 and 120 if you want the extra step or already know which grit you burn through fastest.
Let the scratches call the belt change
Step away from the moving belt, wipe the blade and turn it under a low-angle shop light. Look for lines that are deeper than the rest or run across the new pattern. If the shape and your setup allow it, change the scratch angle slightly between grits so the old lines are easier to spot. Move on once the area has an even pattern from the current belt.
If one deep line survives several passes, check whether the belt is still cutting. A fresh belt at the same grit may solve it. If the scratch still takes too long to clear, step back a grit and work forward again. Keep heat in check, especially near the thin edge and tip, and follow your grinder and belt instructions for speed and cooling.
What comes after 120?
For a finer finish, try 180 or 220 grit next. Use a supported platen and a firmer X-weight aluminum oxide belt for controlled work on flats. A J-Flex aluminum oxide belt is a better fit when you want the belt to follow a handle contour. Keep refining if you can still see scratches that would show through the finish you want.
Once the blade has an even scratch pattern, follow our satin finish guide to choose a conditioning grade and lay down a consistent finish.