The 7 Best Belt Grinders for Knife Making: A Guide for Beginner Smiths

Belt grinders are the centerpiece of the modern knife maker’s workstation.

A hand file can do the same jobs (profiling, flattening, and bevel grinding), but it takes far longer and much more effort.

If you’re a hobbyist who wants to make more knives or a beginner looking for a first machine, a belt grinder is the tool to buy.

Below are seven belt grinders for knife making that suit beginners, hobbyists, and tight budgets, followed by the features to compare and the safety basics.

OUR TOP PICK

Our top pick is the Grizzly G1051 (Grizzly's model number is G1015). It takes the standard 2 x 72” belt and has a 1 HP motor, a 3,600 FPM belt speed, and a flat platen, so it removes metal fast and accurately at a reasonable price.

Check Current Price

The Best Belt Grinders for Knife Making Are:

Product	Details
1. Grizzly G1051 2 x 72” Belt Grinder	1. Grizzly G1051 2 x 72” Belt Grinder Our Top Pick		Check Current Price
2. Palmgren 81061 2 x 42” Belt & Disc Grinder	2. Palmgren 81061 2 x 42” Belt & Disc Grinder		Check Current Price
3. Grizzly H6070 Combo Grinder	3. Grizzly H6070 Combo Grinder		Check Current Price
4. Jet 41002 Belt & Disc Grinde	4. Jet 41002 Belt & Disc Grinde		Check Current Price
5. Kalamazoo 1SM 1 x 42” Belt Grinder	5. Kalamazoo 1SM 1 x 42” Belt Grinder		Check Current Price
6. Kalamazoo 2FSM 2 x 48” Belt Grinder	6. Kalamazoo 2FSM 2 x 48” Belt Grinder		Check Current Price
7. Jet 4002 1 X 42” Belt and Disc Grinder	7. Jet 4002 1 X 42” Belt and Disc Grinder		Check Current Price

1. Grizzly G1051 2 x 72” Belt Grinder – Overall Best Belt Grinder

Unless you want an industrial-grade belt sander with a much higher price, the Grizzly G1015 is one of the best values for knife making. It suits bladesmiths who do a lot of heavy stock removal.

Specs

• 2” X 72” belt size
• 1 HP motor
• Belt arm tilts 0 to 90 degrees
• 3600 FPM belt speed
• Quick-release belt system

What I Like About This Product

It uses 2 x 72” belts, the standard size for knife making, which come in the widest range of abrasives.

It has a sturdy base that resists wobbling once you bolt it down.

With a 1 HP motor and a belt speed of 3,600 FPM, according to Grizzly's manual, it removes stock quickly once you know your craft.

Belt changes are quick: the spring-tensioned idler arm releases the belt.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

The most glaring drawback of the G1051 is its work plate. It’s too small to get any reasonable work done. But you can attach a larger plate for a few bucks or nothing if you have the material.

For one, I don’t like that it has a single speed. It’s very fast, and you can make errors doing detail or finish work, especially if you’re a beginner.

Owners also report fussy tracking and a platen that needs truing, both of which are common fixes.

Pros

• Sturdy build
• Fast and efficient performance
• Uses 2 x 72” belts that last longer
• Easy to install unit and change belts

Cons

• Poor tracking
• Platen is too close to the work surface

Sum Up

At its price, the Grizzly G1015 is a great place to start if you want a full-size 2 x 72” grinder.

Overall Rating – 4.7/ 5

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

2. Palmgren 81061 2 x 42” Belt & Disc Grinder – Best Budget Belt Grinder

The Palmgren 81061 is a budget 2 x 42” belt and disc combination machine. For its price, it is fast, and the disc adds versatility.

Specs

• 1/3 HP motor
• 2 x 42” belt with 4400 SFPM speed
• 6” disc with 3500 RPM speed
• Belt arm tilts vertically and horizontally

What I Like About This Product

Although it has a modest 1/3 HP motor, its drive wheel gives a high belt speed.

That speed makes stock removal and shaping fast, but it also makes mistakes happen fast, as covered below.

The parts and accessories are well made for the price.

What I Don’t Like About The Machine

Changing belts is awkward. The wheels sit very close to the guard, so thick belts are hard to fit. Some owners trim the guard, but never run the machine without its guards.

Another issue is that the platen isn’t flat and it’s wider than the belt. Again, you can correct this flaw by adding a glass or ceramic platen on top of the stock one.

Lastly, it’s very fast. If you lose focus for a second, you can overgrind a bevel or overheat the steel.

Pros

• Fast grinding work
• Sturdy frame and well-made accessories for its price category
• Minimal noise
• Easily fixable drawbacks

Cons

• Single, very fast belt speed
• You may need to buy another platen
• Thick belts are hard to fit

Sum Up

Beyond the drawbacks, the Palmgren 81061 is a good option for anyone on a tight budget who wants to make decent knives.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

3. Grizzly H6070 Combo Grinder – Best Value Buy

The Grizzly H6070 is one of the most popular belt grinders among beginners. It’s also a good product to test out if knife making is your thing or hone your skills in the craft.

Specs

• 1/3 HP motor
• 1 x 30” belts and 5” disc
• Adjustable work surfaces (45 degrees to the right)
• Manual tracking adjustment
• Factory assembled

What I like About This Product

It’s a very affordable machine that gets the job done slowly. As a 1 x 30” sander, it is better for small blades, handles, and touch-ups than heavy stock removal.

It is light, about 20 pounds, so it is easy to move around. Bolt it down when you use it.

With light pressure, the belt and disc can both be used without the motor bogging down.

What I Don’t Like About This Product.

Some parts are plastic and can break if handled roughly.

It isn’t made for heavy metal grinding. Too much pressure bogs down the motor and can overheat it.

Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Removes material well enough for a beginner
• Good bang for the buck

Cons

• Has many cheaply made parts
• Disc pad replacement is clumsy.
• Belts break easily. Also doesn’t fit thicker or lower (from 30 grits) grit belts.

Sum Up

If you are experimenting with knife making, the Grizzly H6070 is a low-cost entry point, despite its limited power and belt size.

Overall Rating – 4/5

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

4. Jet 41002 Belt & Disc Grinder – Best For Beginners

The Jet 41002 is a mid-range sander that’s well built and good for beginners who would want to grind or shape their knives at a slower pace.

Specs

• 3/4 HP motor
• 2 x 42” belt size
• 3100 FPM belt speed
• Miter gauge locks 45 degrees to the left and right
• Removable platen with room for odd cuts

What I Like About This Product

The Jet 41002, without a doubt, is a heavy-duty grinder, weighing about 60 pounds. I’m especially impressed because it’s a benchtop belt grinder.

It shapes and grinds metal well with light pressure on the platen.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

Owners find the 3/4 HP motor slows under heavy pressure, so let the belt do the work.

Furthermore, changing the belt is stressful. You have to take out the work table every time you need a belt change, which can be multiple times in one session. If it isn’t a problem, good, but if it is, you can cut off the back right side of the work table to solve this.

Pros

• Heavy-duty construction
• Spacious work area makes it easy to make difficult cuts
• Replacement belts last longer, are cheap, and readily available

Cons

• Motor slows under heavy pressure
• Work table has to be removed before every belt change
• Expensive

Sum Up

If you are a beginner looking to get a durable 2 x 42” grinder, Jet 41002 is a good option. Of course, it isn’t all that pocket-friendly considering its power.

Overall Rating – 4.2/5

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

5. Kalamazoo 1SM 1 x 42” Belt Grinder – Best Portable Belt Sander

Kalamazoo Industries is a trusted equipment brand, and you can also trust the 1SM as the best 1” belt grinder in the market. Perfect for folks looking for a backup grinder or mainly intend to use it for sharpening and good for beginner bladesmiths.

Specs

• 1/3 HP motor
• 1 x 42” belt size
• 1750 FPM belt speed

What I Like About This Product

The Kalamazoo 1SM is a small machine that removes material decently. Its 1/3 HP motor drives the belt at a moderate 1,750 FPM.

That slower speed makes it easier to control for detail work and sharpening, which helps beginners. Still, dip the blade in water often so the steel does not overheat and lose its temper.

Of course, the Kalamazoo 1SM is portable: it has a small frame and weighs only about 30 pounds.

What I Don’t Like About This Product

The work plate of the 1SM is flimsy and positioned awkwardly. A mild bump is enough to shift the plate out of position. Also, your work can and will hit the motor if you are grinding anything larger than a hand file on the work plate.

As you’d expect with any 1” belt grinder, you’ll burn through a ridiculous amount of belts within a short time.

Pros

• Portable and light
• Its moderate belt speed is good for detail work and beginners
• Easy belt replacement
• Nice tracking adjustment
• Good for slack belt grinding

Cons

• Belts burn or break easily
• Contact plate is too close to the motor and wobbly

Sum Up

The Kalamazoo 1SM is a good choice for anyone looking to do detail work and beginners trying to hone their skills. Its speed is modest, and tracking adjustment is easy.

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

6. Kalamazoo 2FSM 2 x 48” Belt Grinder

Kalamazoo’s 2FSM grinder grinds and removes materials at blazing speed. It has a powerful motor and overall quality that would make a good entry point grinder for most knife makers.

Specs

• Works vertically or horizontally
• 1/2 HP motor
• 2 x 48” belt size
• 3,450 RPM motor

What I Like About This Product?

The Kalamazoo 2FSM removes material quickly and makes good flat bevels. It is not set up for hollow grinding, which needs a contact wheel.

What I Don’t Like About This Product?

Some owners report static shocks, which grounding can fix. Belt changes are easy, though the guards make them a little fiddly. Keep the guards on.

Pros

• Powerful
• Removes material fast and accurately
• Easy to change belts

Cons

• Expensive
• Tracking (platen) adjustment is stressful

Sum Up

Overall, the Kalamazoo 2FSM suits anyone who wants a sturdy 2-inch grinder without stepping up to a 2 x 72” machine.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

7. Jet 4002 1 X 42” Belt and Disc Grinder – Best Belt Grinder for Detailing

The Jet 4002 is a well-built 1-inch machine for grinding, shaping, and sharpening small knives.

Specs

• Heavy-duty construction
• 1/3 HP motor
• 1 x 42” belt size
• 3000 SFPM belt speed

What I Like About This Product?

The belt size, though, smaller than the industry standard, makes it suitable for detail work or touch-ups on knives. It also tracks well and barely needs any adjustments.

Asides that, it’s a well-built machine with heavy-duty construction and satisfactory finish of most of its parts.

Finally, it is very easy to assemble. It takes about 30 – 45 minutes to get it up and running.

What I Don’t Like About This Product?

Some owners find the miter gauge fits loosely, and at 5/8 inch wide it does not fit standard 3/4-inch accessories.

Owners also report that mounting a flex shaft to it is not practical, so treat it as a sander and grinder only.

Pros

• Sturdy construction
• Powerful motor aids a smooth grinding experience
• Easy to assemble
• Superb tracking

Cons

• Not practical as a flex-shaft drive
• Loose, undersized miter gauge

Sum Up

If you don’t mind grinding for longer periods, or perhaps need a belt grinder for detail work, I’ll recommend the JET 4002 grinder.

Overall Rating – 4.0/5

CHECK CURRENT PRICE

Why Use A Belt Grinder?

As a modern bladesmith, a belt grinder is indispensable. Here are a few reasons why:

Ease of Use

Using a belt grinder or bench grinder makes it easy to perform most grinding jobs, like profiling, finishing, flattening, sharpening, and more. You guide the steel while the machine does the heavy work.

Quick Material Removal

If you’ve used a hand file to grind a knife before, you’ll appreciate how fast you can get the job done with a grinder – one that’s right for knife making.

Depending on the steel and your skill, profiling and beveling a blade on a suitable belt grinder can take minutes to a few hours instead of days.

How To Choose The Best Belt Grinder For Knife Making

Size

The size of the belt grinder is perhaps one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for one.

Frame Size

Belt grinders vary in overall “body” size. So, if you have limited space in your workshop, try to find the best compact grinder you can find.

If you also intend to move the machine around, find a lighter one, and bolt it down when you use it so it does not vibrate or walk.

Belt Size

The belt size is arguably the most important sort of size you should consider in a grinder. The ideal belt size for a knife making grinder is 2 x 72”. But newbies experimenting with knife making or hobbyists can still forge some good quality knives on the right 2 x 42” grinder.

The 1” machines grind metal slowly and are best for sharpening, detail work, and handles. Their narrow belts also wear out quickly. If you insist on a 1” machine due to its lower price, get one that can accept ceramic-abrasive belts for increased efficiency.

In the end though, you’ll be glad you invested in a 2 x 72” if you’ve used smaller grinders earlier. A 4 x 36” woodworking sander is a poor fit; its belt is wide and slow for knife work.

Speed

A variable-speed grinder, usually a three-phase motor run by a VFD (variable frequency drive), is the go-to for experienced knife makers. Slow speeds help with finishing, and fast speeds with heavy stock removal.

Variable-speed grinders cost considerably more.

On a budget, get a single-speed grinder with a belt speed you can control, roughly 1,725 to 3,600 FPM like the machines above.

Power

A 1 HP motor is a good target for a 2 x 72” grinder. You do not need more unless you make a lot of knives, and more powerful grinders cost much more unless you build one yourself.

For rough-cutting a blade profile before grinding, see our best angle grinder picks.

Regardless, you can make do with a lower-powered grinder if you’re on a tight budget or are a newbie bladesmith.

Tip: Don’t force the knife against the platen. Heavy pressure overheats the steel and strains the motor, especially on a small grinder.

Belt Grinder Safety

Grinding steel throws hot sparks and fine metal dust. Follow the basics from Grizzly's G1015 manual:

• Wear ANSI-approved safety glasses or a face shield, hearing protection, and a respirator for fine dust.
• Do not wear gloves, loose clothing, or jewelry that can catch in the belt, and tie back long hair.
• Keep the tool rest within 1/16 inch of the belt so the blade cannot be pulled into the gap.

Never grind steel on a sander that is full of wood dust. OSHA warns that accumulated fine wood dust is a fire hazard, and grinding sparks can ignite it. Empty or disconnect wood dust collection first.

Final Thoughts

The Grizzly G1051 (model G1015) is our pick for the best belt grinder for knife making. It’s the only 2 x 72” grinder in this review, and it runs a 1 HP motor.

Its flat platen and remarkably fast belt speed can remove materials and make even bevels with ease, speed, and accuracy. But the thing is, its work surface is rather small for large workpieces.

Sources

• Model G1015 Combination Grinder, Sander/Buffer Owner's Manual, Grizzly Industrial
• Wood Dust - Hazard Recognition, OSHA