How to Choose a Knife Makers Sanding Belt Assortment
By Red Label Abrasives | Published: 2026-10-24
Category: Buying Guides
Learn how to select the right knife makers sanding belt assortment for your projects, including grit choices and belt sizes.
Quick answer
For most knife makers, a 2x36 inch sanding belt assortment with a mix of coarse (P36–P60), medium (P80–P120), and fine (P150–P240) grits gives you the versatility to shape, grind, and finish blades without buying separate packs.
Why an assortment saves you money and time
Buying a single grit pack forces you to guess which grit you will need most. A knife makers sanding belt assortment bundles several grits in one box, so you can try different abrasives without committing to large quantities of each. This is especially useful when you are starting out or when you work on blades with varying steel hardness.
Grit selection trade-offs
Coarse grits (P36–P60) remove metal fast but leave deep scratches that require extra smoothing. Medium grits (P80–P120) balance stock removal with a reasonable finish. Fine grits (P150–P240) refine the edge but cut slowly. An assortment lets you move through these stages in one purchase, but you may end up with fewer belts of the grit you use most often. If you primarily do rough shaping, a coarser-heavy assortment may serve you better.
Decision rules for choosing your assortment
- Match belt size to your sander: Most knife making grinders accept 2x36 inch belts. Confirm your machine's platen length and width before ordering. The 2x36 size is common for 1x30 or 2x42 inch machines with an adapter. Check your sander's belt dimension spec, not just the brand.
- Choose a grit range that covers your workflow: If you shape bevels and remove nicks, you need P36–P60. For blending and initial sharpening, P80–P120 works. For final edge refinement, P150–P240. An assortment like the EdgeCore/Zirconia mix spans all these stages.
- Decide between ceramic and zirconia: Ceramic belts (like EdgeCore) stay sharp longer on hard steels but can load up on softer metals. Zirconia belts cut aggressively and handle heat better but wear faster on high-alloy steels. An assortment with both lets you test which works best for your typical blade material. Try a few belts of each type before buying a full box of one grit.
Product facts
- 2 X 36 Inch Knife Makers Sanding Belt Assortment: This 2x36 inch knife makers sanding belt assortment includes EdgeCore Ceramic coarse grits (3 each of P36 and P60, 4 of P120) and Zirconia coarse grits (1 each of P36, P40, P60, P80, P120, plus P150 A/O). You get both ceramic and zirconia belts in one kit, so you can compare how each abrasive type behaves on your blade steel without buying separate packs.
2 X 36 Inch Knife Makers Sanding Belt Assortment
Who should buy this assortment?
Best for
- Knife makers who want a versatile starter kit for shaping and sharpening on a 2x36 inch sander
- Hobbyists who work with different steel types and want to compare ceramic vs. zirconia performance
Not for
- Production shops that need large quantities of a single grit (buy individual packs instead)
- Users with non-standard sander sizes (e.g., 1x30 or 4x36) unless they verify belt compatibility
