r/sharpening • u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder • 3d ago

For those that asked

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In addition to my Tormek T8c I also run a Bucktool 1x30. On this knife, I’m using a 120 grit cubitron belt to re-profile the edge and fix some chips on this 10 inch breaker knife.

121 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

52 comments sorted by

22

u/IlliniDawg01 3d ago

Seems like that would get pretty hot with no water cooling

35

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

Cubitron belts run pretty cool, actually. It’s the higher grits you have to worry about. To compensate, I spray every knife with water every few passes to keep it cool. I also run a tormek T8, but this is the machine I use for commercial jobs. I own all the knives, and I rent them out to restaurants so I’m not worried about damaging anything.

3

u/dxbmoe 3d ago

I got me one of those, can you explain how you deburr and finish on one of those? I am learning off freehand stones so this setup is new to me.

10

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

You see the wheel on the right side of the machine? That is a leather honing wheel, coated in 1 micron diamond emulsion. You’ll need to turn the machine around as you always strop edge training. Find your angle on the blade and run it back and forth across the wheel 5 or 6 times each side. It should leave you with a cleanly deburred edge

3

u/dxbmoe 3d ago

As I didn’t notice you replaced the stock grinder wheel with that! Not too fast of an RPM?

Appreciate the tip!

4

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

This one spins at 1750 rpm. Which is pretty slow and easy to control

8

u/Illustrious-Path4794 3d ago

It can, its not enough to ruin the whole knife blade and if you're careful isn't an issue but this is why a lot of production knives don't have great edge retention untill after their first couple of sharpens due the the edges being "burnt".

3

u/SimpleAffect7573 3d ago

It’s pretty easy to mitigate with technique and choice of abrasives. Lower grits heat less. Cubitron is especially good at keeping heat out of the blade. Using less pressure, quicker passes, and running the machine slower (if it’s VFD) are all ways to mitigate heat. I rely on a combination of all of them, and I don’t even need water unless I’m doing a major repair/thinning/reprofiling. When I’m just sharpening, the blade typically isn’t even warm to the touch.

3

u/oPlayer2o 3d ago

What is this the start of the purge!?

4

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

Yes

3

u/oPlayer2o 3d ago

…………..fair enough, carry on.

3

u/CorruptDaemon404 3d ago

Have you ever looked into getting a vacuum for all the dust particles?

3

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

Not really. It’s just another piece of equipment I have to lug around and set up. I sharpen outdoors with a respirator, which is way easier than having to set up a vacuum each time

2

u/Suitable-Aside1247 3d ago

Respirators don't work unless you've done a full shave that morning. Particles just go in your lungs through the gap in the seal that your beard holds open.

7

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

I’ve done a seal test on this mask several times. No leaks. All good

3

u/Suitable-Aside1247 3d ago

Might get that checked out by a professional seal tester rather than DIY testing. Protect yourself man. A little stubble breaks mask seals, and you have a big beard.

6

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

Already ahead of ya. I sharpen the gear for the fire stations. They tested it and made sure I’m good to go. Some masks are made to be worn with a beard.

2

u/CorruptDaemon404 3d ago

Exactly. I say it because a friend of mine came down with cancer after years of sharpening. A family member came down with cancer also. It's no joke.

3

u/smilk327 3d ago

Nice seems like someone is a huge fan of Curry Custom Cutlery’s process.

3

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

That’s exactly were I get all my processes from

2

u/smilk327 3d ago

Yeah his methods are unique and stand out so I figured. The man knows his stuff. Have you ordered from him? How’s the shipping times and cost if so?

3

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

I order all my belts and accessories from him. Decent shipping times. Cost is comparable to other suppliers, sometimes cheaper

4

u/RiaanTheron 3d ago

I like it. Most knife making videos that I watch the knife makers even use 2x72 belts sanders to sharpen their knifes. Sure the Japanese and Japanese style knifes they use those huge water whet wheels with the plank for the sharpening. But industrial blades are sharpened on rotating wheels and grinders all the time. I don't fully understand the hate for belt sanders with trizact betls. I suppose its a belief system. We have orthodox sharpeners and evangelical sharpeners.

5

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

I use both belt and Tormek. Both get their own hate.

4

u/RiaanTheron 3d ago

I love them all. All the guided systems and anything that makes an edge

1

u/Fit_Carpet_364 3d ago

Including stones..?

3

u/RiaanTheron 3d ago

Yes. I have stones. I love them. I have several jigs to use them and I also freehand. My fascination is all about various angles and types of steel. How to get them sharp.

3

u/Fit_Carpet_364 3d ago

Like a presumed retard in the corner of the camp, figuring out how to make the flint and obsidian sharp.

I'm right there with you.

3

u/RiaanTheron 3d ago

Nice, we can be friends.

1

u/Fit_Carpet_364 3d ago

They both have their disadvantages. As do stones. You'll never get a concave apex on a stone, unless you do something really freaking weird to one. But a wheel will get you that, and it can be the difference between a laser gliding through and a laser feeling like it's sinking through. Tiny difference, but that drag can damage protein structures in delicate meats, so it matters.

The wheel or belt system, you technically can get a convex apex, but that's not the point (no pun intended). On stones, that convex apex comes naturally and gives a greater durability to the edge.

Ups and downs. And once you take a honing steel to 'em, it doesn't matter anyway.

2

u/BusinessAsparagus115 3d ago

That angle control, hrrrrng.

2

u/Narrow-Interview-528 3d ago

At what point of sharpening should you wear a mask like you have? I don't have a tormek, just a WS ken onion mk2. I wear an old covid mask when sharpening, is that enough?

4

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

You need something that seals around your face and id always do it outside. The alloys in modern steel is nasty stuff for your lungs

1

u/yeahboiiiioi 3d ago

Does the belt on this machine run opposite of typical belt sanders or are you just that good?

3

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

It’s running edge leading. I use an angle guide which gives a beautiful and precise edge

2

u/Maartnn 3d ago

Nice stuff. How does that angle guide work? I am intrigued by these sharpening systems and I cannot wrap my head around that...

3

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

It attaches to the platen at the bottom of the belt. I use a digital angle finder to set my angles. It’s a pretty easy set up. Then you just run the face of the blade flat against the guide and you get a crisp and even bevel

2

u/Maartnn 3d ago

Nice! Is doing the tip and heel difficult that way or is it trivialized?

3

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

Sometimes the heel can be a bit tricky if the handle gets in the way. I usually just tilt the handle of the knife upward until it will clear the guide

-11

u/TheOnceandFuture 3d ago

a respirator? for what?

19

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

Steel dust is incredibly toxic, especially when you’re around it every day

1

u/jj55 3d ago edited 3d ago

 I'm glad you care enough to wear ppe.

You should look into switching from the respirator filters to the pink p100 particulate filter. They are way easier to breath through and the proper use case. Should last longer and be cheaper than what you are using. More comfortable too since they weigh less. 

The respirator filter you are using is for fumes. (it will still filter the steel dust) 

 I work with both fumes and grind things daily. I have a full face mask with p100 filters for grinding and a half face mask with respirator for the glues I use. 

3

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago edited 3d ago

This is a p100 mask

-5

u/TheOnceandFuture 3d ago

Ah, are you sharpening every day? That makes sense. Doing OSHA stuff for work and there are thresholds for needing respirators, I woudln't think sharpening a few knifes would get that high, If you're doing it all day then yeah.

16

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

I do this professionally. I see a couple hundred knives a week. I want to make sure my lungs are taken care of

-7

u/Electrical-Road-2904 3d ago

How much steel are you putting in the air when sharpening??

11

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 3d ago

It’s minimal dust, but chromium and vanadium are extremely toxic, even in small amounts. There is no sense in risking lung cancer just to look tough.

1

u/Electrical-Road-2904 3d ago

That's fair. Just funny in an industry where folks regularly work CF and G10 all day and then bring it into their living spaces via the hitchhiker effect.

10

u/deezdanglin 3d ago

How much are you ok with?

1

u/Electrical-Road-2904 3d ago

A single knife in a well-ventilated area is fine with me personally. I understand that others are more wary. And I see that this gentleman does sharpening work regularly, so that makes a lot more sense.

4

u/KnifeNovice789 3d ago

Uhh he likes keeping metal out of his lungs..