What Grit Assortment for Knife Making Sanding Belts?
By Red Label Abrasives | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: Buying Guides
Learn which grit progression to use for knife making on a 2x48 belt sander. This guide covers coarse shaping to fine finishing and how to choose the right assortment.
Quick answer
For most knife making on a 2x48 belt sander, start with a coarse grit like P36 or P60 for shaping, move to P120 for profiling, and finish with P240 or higher for a smooth edge. A mixed assortment saves money and ensures you have the right grit at each stage.
Why Grit Progression Matters
Knife making involves distinct stages: shaping the blade, refining the bevel, and finishing the edge. Each stage requires a different grit. Using only coarse belts leaves deep scratches that are hard to remove; using only fine belts makes shaping slow and inefficient. A proper progression saves time and produces a cleaner result.
The right grit also depends on the steel. Harder steels require more aggressive coarse grits for initial stock removal, while softer steels may be fine with a less aggressive start. Your belt sander's speed also affects how each grit performs.
Coarse vs. Fine: Trade-offs
Coarse belts (P36, P40, P60) remove material quickly but leave deep scratches. They are ideal for shaping and beveling. Fine belts (P120, P240, P400) produce a smoother surface but remove material slowly. They are best for refining the edge and preparing for finishing.
A common mistake is skipping grits. Jumping from P60 to P240 can leave scratches that are difficult to remove. A gradual progression, such as P60 to P120 to P240, is more effective.
Decision rules for choosing a grit assortment
- Shaping and profiling: Use P36 or P60 for aggressive stock removal and initial bevel shaping. These coarse grits cut quickly and are essential for defining the blade profile.
- Refining the bevel: Move to P120 after coarse shaping. This grit removes the deep scratches from P60 and starts smoothing the bevel for a more even finish. Always progress in order; skipping grits leaves deep scratches that are hard to remove later.
- Finishing and edge work: Use P240 or higher for final finishing and edge refinement. For a mirror polish, you may need even finer grits like P400 or P600, but P240 is a good stop for most knives. If you plan to hand-finish after sanding, you can stop at P240 and move to hand polishing.
- Choosing between ceramic and zirconia: Ceramic belts (like EdgeCore) are best for hard steels and heavy stock removal. Zirconia belts are more flexible and work well on stainless and softer steels. If you work with varied steels, an assortment with both is a smart choice. Match the belt type to your most common steel; ceramic for hard, zirconia for stainless or softer.
- Buying a kit vs. individual belts: A kit like the 2x48 assortment gives you a balanced selection at a lower cost per belt. If you already know your go-to grits, individual belts may be more efficient, but a kit is a good starting point for beginners. For your first kit, choose an assortment that covers coarse to fine; you can always buy more of the grit you use most.
Product facts
- 2 X 48 Inch Knife Makers Sanding Belts Assortment: This 2x48 assortment includes EdgeCore Ceramic in coarse grits (P36, P60, P120) and a version with medium grits (P36, P60, P120, P240 Flex Ceramic), plus Zirconia belts in P36-P150. You get a range of grits for different stages, so you can shape with coarse ceramic and finish with finer grits without buying separate packs.
2 X 48 Inch Knife Makers Sanding Belts Assortment
Who this assortment fits
Best for
- Knife makers who work with a variety of steels and need a versatile starting set
- Hobbyists using a 2x48 belt sander for shaping and finishing blades
Not for
- Production knife makers who need large quantities of a single grit
- Users who only do fine finishing and already have a coarse belt supply
