10 Best Knife Grinders For Beginners Reviews 2021

Do you need the best knife grinder for beginner to make and sharpen your dull knife? If so, we have you covered.

Using a knife grinder to make your very own knives is an incredibly fun experience.

But if you choose the wrong one, you’ll have a hard time making knives, and you might end up with a dull knife.

Not only do dull knives make everything harder, but you also run the massive risk of the knives suddenly slipping and sliding, which, as you might guess, it is incredibly dangerous and could lead to some severe injuries.

But with the knife grinders we have chosen, you can grind your very own knife, which anybody would love to have.

Top 5 Best Knife Grinders For Beginners Comparison:

Our 10 Best Knife Grinders For Beginners:

So, you're a beginner who's taking classes on how to make knives and figured that you must take it to the next level? If that's your goal, we'll show you the most efficient knife grinders.

1. Grizzly G1015 Knife Belt Sander

To start off; we have a sturdy and well-built knife sander that will take care of all your needs when making and sharpening knives.

The motor of this knife grinder is not to be taken lightly. It has a 1/3 horsepower motor, which is powerful enough to make a good sharp knife.

The belt speed of this bench grinder is on another level; compared to other models in the market, you can reach 1,725 RPM, which is enough speed to make a knife.

This belt sander has several belt options, which makes it an outstanding choice for polishing knives. Changing the belt is crucial for making knives, which is why we chose this machine.

And if that is not enough, this model gives you a lot of room for making adjustments to the sanding belt. For example, you can move the belt to whatever side you want.

We also enjoy this machine because you can adjust both the arm and the tool rest, making everything a lot easier.

This machine is quite heavy, so getting it out of the box might take a little bit of effort. But because of its bulky design, this model helps offset some of the motor's weight.

Overall, we believe that this knife grinder is an excellent choice if you're just getting started, even if you're a professional looking to get a side knife grinder.

2. Happybuy B07KF3SRMB Belt Grinder

Do you want to step up your knife making game with the best knife grinder for beginner? If so, this grinder from Happybuy will help you increase your knife making skills.

We know how tedious it is to change the belt platen, and let's not even talk about the wheel; it just time-consuming. However, with this grinder, you can easily change the wheel and the platen any time you want.

One of the most exciting things about this machine is the high-quality and durable materials that it uses. For instance, this machine's wheels are made of solid aluminum, which is a material that holds up pretty well over time.

When looking for a knife grinder, we always make sure that the belt speed is good enough for grinding and polishing knives. And so is the case for this model. It delivers perfect results, and the belt size can be easily adjusted if needed. So, when you’re grinding knives using this belt, you’ll be pretty satisfied with the results.

Another outstanding feature of this machine is that it runs smoothly, and you will barely notice vibration if any. Low vibration makes your experience more enjoyable if you're getting started, as you won't have to worry about vibration ruining your precision.

Tracking adjustment is not an issue with this machine. Other knife grinders make it unnecessarily difficult for the abrasive belt to run on the track. Sometimes, it might slide to one side, which is rather frustrating — so don't worry about not getting the belt to track properly with this model.

And finally, what makes this machine such a great choice is that it runs quietly. The neighbors will not find out that you're grinding knives on the weekend.

3. JET J-41002 Belt & Disc Sander for Knife

The purpose of a grinder is to save you time and effort when making knives. With the speed and power, this one offers, knife making will feel like a piece of cake.

When it comes to quality, JET never seems to disappoint us. All of their tools are well-built, and this one is not an exception.

Other knife grinders just feel cheap and wrong, which can be a turn-off for most people. On the other hand, you have this model, which feels like a high-end machine. Even the minor gauge is made of aluminum.

Because of JET's high-quality materials, this model will be by your side for many years, unlike other cheap knock-offs. The first thing that caught our attention when unboxing this machine is the table. And the table is large enough, making it a perfect choice for making knives.

Furthermore, the motor is excellent and has served us well when shaping metal. For instance, you have a 3/4 horsepower, which is more than enough for knife making.

The strong base of this knife grinder is on a whole different level. It is pretty sturdy and does not feel cheap by any means. And, since it is sturdy enough, it won't fling around on you. The belt tensioner feels fantastic, and it is easy to use. You don't have to unlock anything. All you need to do is move it up and move it down, and you're good to go.

And finally, the speed of this machine won't disappoint you. The grinding belt can reach 3,100 SFPM, and you can set the disc to 3,450 RPM.

4. Shop Fox W1843 Knife Grinding Machine

Are you looking for a knife grinder that can actually polish your knives without wasting your time in the process? Then you will love the belt speed of this grinder.

The most noticeable thing about this knife grinder is how easy it is to assemble it and get it running right away. Even if you have never assembled a knife grinder, all you need is a little bit of time and the manual to get you through the installation process.

Learning how to make knives takes some time before you get excellent results. And with a hard-to-use grinder, it does not get any better, which is why we chose this model; it is easy to use, and you will get the hang of it right away.

The motor performs a critical function for the knife grinder, which is why you want it to perform exceptionally well. And it just so happens that this knife grinder has a strong motor that can reach 1,725 RPM, making it an ideal choice for grinding knives.

If you want to get the most out of a grinder, you should opt for a durable knife grinder. Because of this machine's durability, we recommend getting this model if you plan on making knives in the long run.

Depending on what you want to get with the grinder, you can use the sanding arm horizontally. Having this feature gives the user more flexibility if they ever plan on using the sanding arm horizontally.

You can also sand more than metal; you can even use this knife grinder for sanding wood and metal. While you might not find every single feature available with this model, you have more than enough as it is.

5. WKM B07P9RFZKK Knife Maker Machine For Begineers

As our fifth choice, we have an efficient and durable knife grinder. This bench grinder will do wonders for you.

If you want to be as good as professional knife makers, you need a powerful machine. Most knife makers use 2 by 72-inch grinders, which is pretty much the standard. So we suggest opting for a grinder like this one as it can polish and grind knives like a high-end knife grinder.

The primary reason behind getting a belt grinding machine is to grind steel. If you want to accomplish such results, the belt grinder needs to be robust, which is why this model excels at grinding steel.

Also, we’ve found it pretty easy to change the abrasive belt of this grinder; this is useful if you need a specific belt for grinding knives. And, if the grinding belt ever breaks after grinding bevels, you can replace the original sanding belt.

The speed of this knife grinder is not to be underestimated. It has a two horsepower motor, which can easily reach 2,850RPM. With this amount of speed, you will never feel like the machine is too slow to get the job done.

Moreover, the grinder features a powerful but simple design. Its simplicity allows the device to feel comfortable and self-intuitive at the same time, which is a big selling point for most beginners.

Another comfortable feature the grinder has is that you can change the attachment on the fly, no need to go through extra steps to change the extension.

And to top it off, the final results live up to today’s standards. This bench grinder delivers sharp knives while providing a clean cut to help the friction of the knife.

6. Kalamazoo B000REJM3K Beginners Knife Making Belt Sander

Can't seem to settle for a knife grinder with a robust belt length to help you make the best knife on earth? Then this model will help you make up your mind.

The company behind this product has really outdone itself this time around. The motor control of this grinder goes to show how powerful this machine can be. The motor has a 1/3 horsepower, which has performed beyond our expectations.

This knife grinder is pretty easy to use, which is ideal for those that need a machine for grinding knives. Its simplicity makes this an excellent option for newbies.

Our favorite feature this grinder has is the little knob on the back. When you loosen the knob, you can adjust the tracking of the sanding belt.

Adjusting the grinding belt just by twisting a small knob is a super useful feature, which, unfortunately, not all grinders have.

There is no need to have this grinder mounted to a bench. Furthermore, the high powered motor itself is already pretty heavy, and chances are you won't lean into this bench grinder. The sanding machine runs smoothly, and so far, we haven't had any issues with its excellent performance.

Another fantastic thing about this knife grinder is that there is little to no vibration when you turn it on. It runs smoothly and gets the job done, everything you could ask for when polishing knives.

If you're going vertically when sanding a knife, you want it to remain that way even if you use the knife sander in a horizontal position; you still want to sand vertically, which is why the reverse option makes this machine stand out from the competition.

7. Palmgren 81061 Knife Making Belt Sanders

Now moving onto our next belt sander, we have a sturdy machine with a powerful motor. This model is perfect for any grinding job.

This bench grinder is a trendy choice for most beginners that need an entry-level knife grinder. This sturdy belt sander has a 1/3 horsepower engine; it can reach 3,500 RPMs, which is really fast considering you will be making knives.

On the side of the motor, you can find a 6-inch disc grinder. It might not seem so useful, but you would be surprised by how many times it might come in handy for simple grinding jobs, such as polishing knives.

The abrasive belt of the grinder needs to be changed periodically. Belts are bound to break after using them for some time; thus, it is essential to have a belt sander that allows you to change the belt quickly.

Because of that, we recommend this model. Changing the abrasive belt with this bench grinder is super easy, and you don't need to disassemble it just to accomplish that. Both the belt tension and the tracking system have worked amazingly well when we’ve used this belt sander.

We haven't had any issues with this belt sander when making sharp knives. The bench grinder itself is pretty straightforward to use. You don't need much experience to handle this beast — you will get the hang of it in no time.

Using this budget friendly knife grinder, we've managed to get perfect results. And after evaluating the sharpness of the knife, we were pretty satisfied when chopping. We've also sanded wood, micarta, mild steel, and it has worked flawlessly.

This machine's rigid design also sets up with the right amount of weight to prevent vibration when operating the belt sander.

Overall, this is an excellent knife grinder for the standard hobbyist. You really can't go wrong with it. This grinder offers pretty much everything you need for grinding jobs.

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8. Bucktool B07ZQ6LCK8 Knife Grinders

This excellent knife grinder is one of the few machines that have an excellent belt speed. With its powerful speed, you can make sharp knives.

To start things off right, you have a powerful motor with a 1/3 horsepower engine, making this model a fantastic choice if you're a knife maker. On the side, there is a disc that you can use for small projects. The disc might look small, but it can easily reach 3,450 RPM.

This model is a multi-role machine. You can sand and finish metal, wood, plastic, and many more materials. Changing the belt with this model is surprisingly easy. Any professional knifemaker needs a good belt grinder that makes replacing the belt easy.

This model's grinding belt excels when polishing metal. The abrasive belt has undergone special treatment so that it can deal with pretty much anything you need.

Furthermore, this belt sander features a pleasant and smooth worktable; this bench grinder makes your job easier and less tedious. After all, nobody wants to put up with uncomfortable and rough surfaces when sharpening knives.

The base of this bench grinder feels excellent. It is made of cast iron and does not feel like the company tried to lower production costs by adding a cheaply-made base.

Any professional knifemaker knows how annoying it is to deal with slippery belts; it is a tedious task. This company knows this pretty well, which is why they added a belt tension handle to help you prevent the belt from slipping.

The most exciting feature this model has is the eye shield on top of the disc. You never know when something could wrong, which is why you always want to protect your eyes when making knives using a belt grinder.

9. Kalamazoo 2FSM Beginner Knife Sharpening Grinder

This machine is absolutely phenomenal, considering all the perks you get from buying this grinder. You really can't beat this beast.

When picking up a belt grinder, our biggest consideration is whether it will handle most materials or not. Don't worry, though. With this model, plastic, wood, and metal go right through this machine without any issue.

At first glance, you'll notice that the design is pretty simple. There is not much to it, but that is what makes this model special. It does not have unnecessary features that take up space; it just has what you need to get an excellent sharpening angle.

The abrasive belt track is real simple. All you need to do is loosen up the knob, move the belt a little bit, tighten the knob, and you're done—no unnecessary steps required with this model.

Knife sharpening takes a lot of time, and you might have to go through different stages before your knife can make a clean cut. Thus, we chose this knife grinder; it has more than enough power for making and sharpening knives.

The worktable of this versatile machine is more than enough for beginners to get used to knife making. And the worktable is comfortable and can handle most of your knife making projects at home.

You can also use the sanding arm vertically and horizontally; this gives many options when grinding metal and other materials.

Overall, the machine has lived up to our expectations. It is pretty simple, and even if you have no experience using a belt grinder, there is a high chance you will get by just fine.

10. Grizzly H8192 Knife Grinder For Beginners

Last but not least, we have a robust and durable belt sander to help you take that final step that you need to get into the game.

The most noticeable thing about this belt sander is that it has an 8-inch disc and its powerful 1/3 horsepower. Moreover, the machine itself is pretty heavy. This company used cast iron frame for this model, a pretty durable and excellent material if you want a long-lasting knife grinder.

Furthermore, the worktable is made of steel, unlike some other companies that lower production costs by adding cheaply-made worktables. So if you need a stable and comfortable worktable, this is the best belt grinder choice for you.

Another noticeable thing about this machine is how quiet it runs. It does not disturb your hearing, making this machine an excellent choice if you don't want to put up with loud engines.

It's a pretty heavy-duty base, with some additional rubber washers to prevent the machine from moving when sharpening knives, even when using it for several hours.

Changing the belt is not difficult with this knife grinder. All you need to do is take the cover off, push the belt down, and then pull the belt off.

So far, we have enjoyed using this knife grinder when forming a sharp edge for our knives.

It works exceptionally well and does not feel like a cheap knock-off from some shady website. We believe that this machine will serve you well throughout your journey.

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How to Choose the Best Knife Grinder For Beginners

Picking up the perfect product for your job is a hassle, especially when you are just beginning. To make your job easier, we have outlined the steps to follow when picking the right knife grinder-

Why Do You Need a Knife Grinder?

Although all knife grinders, as is apparent in their name, grind knives, there are different reasons why one would do that. Mainly, there are two categories of people in need of a knife grinder:

Knife Makers

Knifemaking can go from being a very artisanal craft to a sophisticated or industrial process. There are several guides and lists of tools for knife making, but a good knife grinder is probably one of the most frequently seen items on the "must-have" inventory.

Although grinders come in many types and forms that will be detailed further in this article, knife makers should keep in mind that they will need a powerful grinder to guarantee a neat and consistent outcome of their production.

Knife users

Most people fall in this category solely for using knives in their daily lives. It is fair to say that people who are not in the knifemaking industry can look at this topic from a more relaxed standpoint and go deeper into the knife sharpening techniques through creative ways of making DIY knife grinders or sharpening kits.

The main reason for this is that knives – unless they are being made – already have ground. Each grind determines how the blade on your knife functions. Since it refers to what shape the blade is thinned in towards the edge of the knife.

Taking into account the grind type factor, the following topic is also a decisive point when it comes to picking a knife grinder:

What Type of Knife Grinder Should You Pick?

Different grind requires specific belts to have perfect finish. Before we dive deep, here are the types of grinds-

Full Flat Grind

This grind is as simple as it gets. The blade on the knife gets thinner from the spine to the edge evenly on both sides; you'll notice these kinds of blades in kitchen knives that are intended to go full into, for example, a turkey.

Hollow Grind

More popular amongst the hunting fans, the hollow grind knife is concave – making it a good tool for skinning due to its outward cut.

V Grind

As implied in their name, these knives have a V-shaped grind that stops halfway down the blade, continuing straight into the handle. It is also known as Scandi Grid due to its Scandinavian origin and mainly used outdoors for woodworking.

High Flat Grind

It is another type of flat grind, like the Full Flat and the Scandi, and it is a bit of both. It has the typical entire flat blade at the end of the knife but then acquires a V-shape ground shape mid-blade and finally goes perpendicular into the handle, just like the Scandinavian Grind knife.

Chisel Grind

One side of this knife is completely flat, and the other has a single slant that starts halfway down. Also seen in the kitchen, but it is also used in woodwork since it is super sharp. Keeping the edge of that shape can be challenging to maintain.

Compound Bevel Grind

Known as Compound or Double Bevel grind, this type of knife has a different angle or slant. It makes cutting more accessible and is less likely to have the blade chip, but given the extra obliqueness, it is inevitably less sharp.

Convex Grind

Directly opposite to the Hollow grind, Convex grind knives have a curve rounding to a point, making it ideal for chopping – but also pretty hard to sharpen knives.

Asymmetrical Grind

As per its name, an Asymmetrical grind knife has two different grind types on each side of the same blade. Any combination counts as an Asymmetrical grind, and the infinite combinations make for infinite uses of these kinds of knives, as well as different levels of complexity in their dry sharpening.

All these kinds of grind styles and shapes will require a specific size of the belt in the knife grinder they use, especially those used to make them. It is why if you are a knifemaker, size matters:

What Size Belt Grinder to Pick?

The size of a belt in a knife grinder is measured based on its width and length. A 1x30 belt grinder, for example, is a 1" wide belt that is 30" long. That said, some of the most common sizes can be found below:

1x30 Belt Grinders

Ideal for finishing, not so much to flatten out a blade since they are not wide enough nor have the necessary length to mitigate enough heat to do the work.

1x42 Belt Grinders

With similar performance to the previously mentioned size, 1x42 belt grinders are great for dry sharpening. They are also suitable for profiling, meaning they could come in handy when making knives with angles like some of the ones mentioned above.

2x42 Belt Grinders

These are good for beginners, really stable and easy to manipulate, but not very good with speed or large knives.

2x48 Belt Grinders

They are pretty affordable and compact, making them a good mid-point between a 1x42 and a 2x42 grind.

2x72 Belt Grinders

The great thing about 2x72 belt grinders is their flexibility for any kind of knife made since they support most accessories to cover multiple processes. Although they can be too much for someone who is just starting, they are the ideal belt size for a professional knifemaker.

4x36 Belt Grinders

The most commonly found and most dangerous for knife making belt grinders out there. Keep these for woodwork, not knife making. They work with weak motors and are too wide to allow the belt's edge to be used for your knife.  

There is more to be highlighted on the motor front since not all sanding belt sizes work with any motor power. Here is why:

How Much Motor Power Do You Need?

The motor size to pick for knife making depends significantly on the material of the blade you are planning to grind, but especially on the size of the belt you are using. Generally speaking, you need about 1 HP of motor power for every inch your belt measures in width, at 72" length. Meaning that the longer and broader your belt is, the more power you will need.

On the material that the blade is made of, there is a factor that is even more determined by it. It is speed:

How Much Belt Speed to Look For in Knife Grinders

Grinders are oriented to both knives and woodwork, and wood can be ground with far less speed than, for instance, steel. Depending on the kind of metal you are using, the belt speed will vary. As a reference, your belt should be going at a speed ranging between 4100 and 7000 SFPM (surface feet per minute).

Plus, you should check for the variable speed feature as you may need different speeds for different jobs. A variable speed machine lets you do a better job.

Ease of Use

For beginners, this is one of the most important things to check. An easy-to-use product will let you start working like professionals right from the word go. On the other hand, complicated devices make it hard for beginners to have a perfect finish.

However, the products we have enlisted in this article are pretty straightforward to use and hence, great for beginners.

What’s the Price?

Knife grinder prices differ due to the motor power, sanding belt size, and versatility of the machine in grinding different types of materials.

A powerful 1-2 hp motor will cost you almost double the price of a ½ horsepower machine, if not more. We recommend going with a mid-level machine so that you can keep working in that machine after you are promoted from a beginner to an almost pro.

Final Words

Now that you've gone through our long list of the best belt sanders, you now know the best knife grinder for beginner. When you're first getting started, it is hard to pick up a machine.

After all, the machine will be by your side for a long time. So you want the knife grinder to be good enough for you to get started into knife making.

But now, you know what an excellent knife grinder looks like, and how to pick up the right one. And, all those knives you want to make will now come to life.

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Here is a knife grinding video for you, in case you are in search of one-