Smallshop
KNIFE MAKER
I think I will be able to finish sand handles easier with a "bow " style sander rather than folded up sandpaper....my back still knots up doing any repetitive motion from the lung surgery incision a year later. I think some flexibility on the paper would help rather than going like a buzz saw on the contours. On the possibility of it being a flop idea...I didn't want to spend three days designing and machining up a fancy sanding jig. A friend left me some extruded track material from his solar panel install. I told him I would definitely use it.... that and two rosewood candle holder that my wife prolly paid $2 at a thrift shop for and Viola...!! The "Paki-Sander" (pretty sure the candle holders are from Pakistan...
That will handle any knife handle length...those thin short sanding belts hopefully last longer than paper. the 1/2 x 24 inch belt in 340 grit is $2.65 from McMaster Carr....not cheap...but not terrible for proving and idea. On a hidden tang handle you could also motorize it to turn slowly while you're stroking with the belt...which should help average out the sanding...but just being able to hold it in a vise and sand with the flexibility of a non-backed belt should help methinks...
That will handle any knife handle length...those thin short sanding belts hopefully last longer than paper. the 1/2 x 24 inch belt in 340 grit is $2.65 from McMaster Carr....not cheap...but not terrible for proving and idea. On a hidden tang handle you could also motorize it to turn slowly while you're stroking with the belt...which should help average out the sanding...but just being able to hold it in a vise and sand with the flexibility of a non-backed belt should help methinks...
