Thread: (New?) Hand Sanding Technique

Glad to know this seems like it will help some people out. I'll add pics next time I'm around the house (after the long weekend - Happy 4th everyone!).

why didn't you think of this last week?? my fingers would be not stiff now.

cheers for nothing..

I wrap the sand paper around a dowel rod, around 3/8 if I remember correctly. It is small enough that it fits the contour of the hollow grind.

Originally Posted by JoeSomebody

Wonder if one of the sanding sponges they make for drywall would work? The sandpaper would be pretty coarse, but maybe for the first go around???

Yes, they do....they actually make them for metal and wood too. I bought one and used it, but in teh end regular paper is just cheaper.

now if you use zapps idea, you can get those sponges at the dollar store. prolly in a 2 pack. cost effective and worth it IMO.

I will most certainly use his brainpower to save my fingers

Gave it a try last night, sanding went MUCH faster. Good job zapp!

Some kind of backing is a very good idea, but if it is soft, if will not only adapt to the contour of the hollow grind, but curve over the edge if it contacts it. A little of this is fine on a hollow-ground razor with a longitudinal reinforce behind the edge, as it will reduce the visible hone wear. But too much, or doing it with coarse paper, will add greatly to your honing job.

I've got some pieces of cork notice-board. To some of them various grades of wet and dry abrasive paper are glued, ready to be cut into strips with old scissors. The other is impregnated on one side with hard candlewax, and a little heat will stick it to the side of the razor which isn't being sanded, to prevent the sanding strip from bending over the edge.

The hollow grind of most razors requires something of considerably larger radius than a dowel or bottle cork. The trouble is, if you try to sand with an object four to six inches in diameter, you are holding it two to three inches from the surface you are sanding, and with fingers four to six inches apart. So it is difficult to make it follow the lines of the razor accurately. A slice cut from the surface of a wooden drum should work, or a piece of cork or eraser sanded to the contour you want. I think resilient backing substances produce slower clogging or wearing out of the paper than hard ones.

Something else that works well is a straight section of radiator hose. I had replaced mine a year or so ago to prevent a mishap at the wrong time and took some sections to the shop...glad I did.

I like to use a large diameter wooden dowel that conforms to the contour. I place the blade on an anchored, substantial but disposable, board and clamp the blade thereon. Then, lay the piece of sand paper over the contour to be sanded and press the dowel in place with the other hand. Pull the sand paper and a poor man's belt sander is at work. According to your dexterity, you can hold another dowel of smaller size maybe even brass rod against the wooden dowel threading the sand paper away from any of the edges that need not be sanded. An industrious person would go so far as to drive in a small staple into the far end of the dowel, hook one end of a rod under it and bend the rod so as to conform to the long axis of the dowel. That would make it easier to hold the sand paper away from those other fine edges you don't want to sand away. In fifteen years, some fellow will gaze upon the contraption with a bewildering number of puzzlements plowing furrows across his curious brow.

Very Respectfully

Chasmo

what grits did you use on the sponge? i have a blade thats in pretty shiny but had a few rust spots.

This is a terrific idea. You could even use tape to fold the sponge into a tight roll.
Man I wish I thought of this before I cut my fingers. Several times.