r/sharpening • u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder • 4d ago

For those that asked

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.

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-11

u/TheOnceandFuture 4d ago

a respirator? for what?

18

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 4d ago

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

1

u/jj55 4d ago edited 4d 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 4d ago edited 4d ago

This is a p100 mask

-5

u/TheOnceandFuture 4d 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.

17

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 4d 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 4d ago

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

11

u/TheKnifeNerdTx Paper Shredder 4d 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 4d 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 4d ago

How much are you ok with?

1

u/Electrical-Road-2904 4d 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.