Looking to restock my belts, got some Q's

[TheBigRedArcher]

Hey everyone:

I am looking at restocking my belts and am wondering what you all use. I was thinking about ceramic but the place I plan on going through doesn't go to the higher grits past 220grit. Would you all go with the ceramic up to that point and then go to a fine grit in say aluminum oxide?

To qualify my question, I mostly grid on D2.

Thanks for the help,
TBRA

[kbaknife]

I only use the high grade belts to 120 then switch to Gator Belts.

[TheBigRedArcher]

Karl:

What do you consider High grade... Ceramic? where do you get your belts?

TBRA

[kbaknife]

Yes, ceramic or zirconia.
I get my 36, 60 and 120 from USA Knife Maker Supply.

 http://www.usaknifemaker.com/

[Lin Rhea]

I do the same as Karl. I just got some of the Cubitron belts, like Jeff told us about, but have not tried one yet. Gator belts are nice.

[tippit]

Lin,
I think that Cubitron is going to cut faster than any 36 grit you've used before.  I've done 6 knives and the wood handles using jsut that one belt to hog off steel and thick wood.  Trying to see what will kill this belt.  I only have the Cubitron in 36 grit, then go back to my regular belts...Jeff

[Wampus]

The Norton Norax engineered ceramic belts last a good long time.  Kinda pricey though.  Tru grit has them in 80 and 150 grit.

[tippit]

I should have been more specific on that Cubitron belt...it is the 984 CubitronII in 36 grit that I am using.

[Kevin Evans]

Jeff after your post on Cubitron I order some from where I get belts.
Afterwords I got to thinking if I got
Cubitron 11 ,or just Cubitron 1.I called the company and found out they have been making Cubitron for years and Cubirtron 11 for one year.
some of there distributors are not up to date.

Guess what I am trying to say is make sure you get the up-dated version of Cubitron 11.

I have tried them, and yes Jeff they cut very fast (very agresive )haven't wore one out yet only did a couple of rough grinds.Haven't tried on wood I mostly use #49 files on wood.Then emery cloth.

Chris,I like the other guys use 36 grit Cubitron, Then Zirconia 80,120 then switch to gator 240, 400

[OconeeDan]

I have really grown to like the Blaze belts.  They seem to last longer on my screaming fast grinder.
I use the Blaze in 50 to 120, then I like the engineered grit belts (3M) for more finesse grinding.  For rough shaping handles, don't use the engineered abrasives, standard only.
Dan

[tippit]

Kevin,
Try the Cubitron II 984 on wood handles.  It will profile your handle in minutes.  Because it's so aggressive, you don't burn any wood.  Just don't do any day dreaming while grinding or your handle will disappear  

Most of my knives have had para-cord handles cause I hate doing handles.  The Cubitron II brought me back to being a wood lover!  Jeff