Finishing technique
How to Get a Satin Finish on a Knife Blade
Get the scratch pattern even, choose a conditioning grade, and lay down a consistent satin grain.
Read the satin finish guideHavoc Abrasives / Field guides
Knifemaker's Corner
Practical advice for the 2x72 grinder, from shaping your blank to putting the final finish on a blade.
Start with grit progression
All guides
7 guidesTroubleshooting
Why Your 2x72 Grinder Belt Tracks to One Side
If a belt walks to one side, stop the grinder before it runs off the wheels. The fastest way to narrow it down...
Troubleshooting
How to Tell if a Sanding Belt Is Loaded or Worn Out
If your 2x72 belt starts taking more passes to do the same work, stop the grinder and inspect the belt. Material packed between...
Grinding
Ceramic vs. Aluminum Oxide Belts for Knife Making
Reach for ceramic when you still have steel to move. Reach for aluminum oxide when the shape is close and you want a...
Belt selection
J-Flex vs. X-Weight Belts for Knife Making
Use X-weight when you want a firm belt on a flat platen. Use J-Flex when you want the belt to follow a curve....
Grinding
2x72 Grit Progression for Knife Making
Every belt change should have a job. Use 36 grit when there’s a lot of steel to move, 60 to bring the bevel...
Finishing
How to Get a Satin Finish on a Knife Blade
A good satin finish starts before the conditioning belt goes on. Look at the blade under a shop light. If you can still...
Belt selection
2x72 Sanding Belt FAQ for Knife Makers
Choosing belts for a 2x72 knife grinder? Start with the job you’re doing. Ceramic handles heavy grinding, aluminum oxide gives you options for...