Contact grinder wheel size recommendation

[Steve Nuckels]

I am reasearching belt grinders, my first dedicated grinder for knife making and have no idea which size contact wheel to get!  6,8 or 10 inch.  I am looking at the Coote 2 X 72 grinder.

http://www.cootebeltgrinder.com/index.htm

So....which size to start out with?

Thanks, Steve

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IN GOD WE TRUST

[kbaknife]

Do you plan on doing a lot of hollow grinding?

[Steve Nuckels]

No Sir, I like flat grind or the "Apple seed" style grind!

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IN GOD WE TRUST

[OconeeDan]

If you are flat grinding, it really doesn't matter.  
I like to hollow grind, and use an 8" wheel.  A 10" wheel would be "less" hollow ground if you are looking for a compromise.  
A 6" would give an extreme hollow grind and would mainly be useful for thicker blades that are short from edge to spine.
While you may not flat grind now, you may in the future.  And it helps to match the wheel on your grinder to the wheel on your buffer.
So...if you are given the choice, I would personally choose the 8" wheel.
Dan

[tippit]

Steve, I use all three sizes depending on the width of the blade & how radical/deep I want my hollow grind.  Right now I'm on a 10" wheel kick with a very shallow hollow grind.  I just find it's fun to play with different shapes of my blades.  If I had to choose just one then I suppose the 8" wheel would be the most useful...tippit