Thread: (New?) Hand Sanding Technique

I don't know why I didn't think of this!
I use this all of the time on my turnings and milled items.
In fact I even have a lot of sandpaper that is made with a foam backing.

Great idea, I have a couple of blades just itching for this treatment, and a couple of cuts on my fingers that will also agree.
Thanks for posting.

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???

Great idea, thanks.

Great idea, and since it's a soft sponge it should more readily conform to the shape of the razor. Which would for a more even sand, IMO.

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..

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.