Recommended Tools for Knife Finishing

🔴 Cratex Wheels — For Blade Flats & Bevels

Mounted rubber-bonded wheels are your workhorse for blade flats and bevels. The rubber bond cushions the cut so you remove scratches without gouging.

• Small Wheels — Best for rotary tools and flex shafts. Most versatile for knife work.
• Large Wheels — For bench grinders when you need more surface contact.

Start with: Mini Wheel Kit No. 107 — includes wheels in all four grits.

🟢 Cratex Points — For Plunge Lines & Detail Work

Mounted points in bullet, cylinder, and taper shapes for getting into tight spots. Essential for cleaning up plunge lines without going back to the belt grinder.

• Bullet points — General detail work, blending transitions
• Cylinder points — Flat-bottom cleanup in corners
• Taper points — Reaching into plunge lines and choils

Start with: Mini Point Kit No. 167 — assorted shapes across all grits.

🔵 Cratex Cones — For Inside Curves & Guards

Cone-shaped abrasives for concave surfaces, inside curves on guards, and anywhere a flat wheel won't reach. The taper lets you control exactly how much contact you make.

Start with: Cones (Box of 100) — buy in bulk once you know which grit you use most.

🟤 Cratex Sticks & Blocks — For Hand Finishing

When you need to work by hand — touching up edges, working on spine details, or anywhere power tools would be too aggressive — rubber-bonded sticks and blocks give you the same cushioned cut with complete control.

• Square sticks — Most versatile, work flat or on edge
• Round sticks — For concave surfaces
• Oblong blocks — Maximum surface area for flat work

⚙️ Mandrels — Don't Forget These

Mandrels connect your wheels and points to your rotary tool. Match the shank size to your tool's collet (most Dremels use 1/8"). Keep spares — a worn mandrel causes slipping, and slipping causes gouges.

Pro tip: Screw-type mandrels grip better than friction-fit. Worth the extra few cents.