I don't know if it's a common knowledge, but I accidentally figured it out yesterday and file guide works surprisingly well as a backing for your sandpaper when hand-sanding the blade. You just wrap the sandpaper around it and clamp both ends between the two sections of the guide to provide a tight placement of sandpaper against the guide surface. The surface itself should be made out of flat hardened steel and is easy to hold. So far it's the best holder for sandpaper I came across. Obviously, it only works for smaller knives, but still.
I have a lot of different sanding blocks and sticks for a variety of applications. If it's working for you, it's a good idea!
I have a piece of precision ground 1/4" O-1, it's an inch wide (to match my sand paper strips) and about 5 inches long. I epoxied a strip of rubber to one side. For contour sanding, the other side for flat sanding.
Joshua States
www.dosgatosforge.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg
https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71
Also on Instagram and Facebook as J.States Bladesmith
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.â€
Both great ideas! I just got a granite surface plate about a month ago so this thread had perfect timing.
Side question, where do you like to get precision ground metals like this when you won't be using them for blades? I've used McMaster Carr in the past for two reasons:
1. I was introduced to them at work and know what they have to offer.
2. I can count on 1-day delivery on most anything from their Cleveland warehouse or 2-day from their Chicago warehouse on anything else.
The downfall is they are a little pricier than most and they don't show shipping charges at time of purchase. Only after you item has shipping do you know the total cost unless you call for pricing. When I need something in a pinch I'll probably go with them, but anyone have any suggestions for other places that won't break the bank?
I think I purchase mine from Jantz. Knifemaking.com
Joshua States
www.dosgatosforge.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg
https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71
Also on Instagram and Facebook as J.States Bladesmith
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.â€
Great idea Luka, thanks for sharing. Like Joshua stated, I think I'll glue a piece of rubber to the one side of the guide also.
