I started with a cheap 2x42 Craftsman belt grinder but it just ran way too fast so I quickly moved up to a 2x72 belt grinder. A buddy was wanting to take up the hobby so he bought a 2x72 from Origin Blade Maker and had about $1500 into it. I gave him the space in my shop to set it up and got use of it. We used it for about a year and he ended up moving to Sweden so I had to start over so I got a build kit from Becks Armory and have just over a grand in my new 2x72 with variable speed. I find myself using the 2x72 almost every day for other stuff as well so its been a great addition to the shop. Lots of guys start out with a cheap 1x30 or 2x42 and turn out amazing knives so it can be done. Of course I decided I needed all sorts of other tools to make things faster so as a portaband and table, disc grinder, etc so if I really added it all up I bet there is easy 2 grand in it all maybe more. If you are a patient person it can all be done with an angle grinder, basic belt sander, and hand files by building a simple file guide for the bevels. If you have any specific questions shoot me a pm and I will be happy to answer best I can or at least what has worked for me.
Yes these are all stock removal knives. I buy flat stock in the width and thickness I want and then rough cut the shape on a portaband saw and finish shaping them on my 2x72 belt grinder. I then lay out my pin locations and drill them. I then send out the blanks to be professionally heat treated to my specs and do all the bevel grinding post heat treat. Its a slow process but very rewarding in the end.
I will have to try out a Canadian belt knife someday, along with something in AEBL. But wow, that one sure is pretty! Very nice work.
