I am planning on doing something with these apart from use as a knife so I was happy enough getting them cut out of sheet metal, and I also am not nearly skilled enough to forge them.
I have done quite a bit of woodworking before this but I'm almost completely knew to working with metals so I have no idea about what tools I should use to put the primary bevel on. I do know how to sharpen a knife and have the tools for it but not how to do the initial bevels.
I found this thing on Amazon and it's within my price range it's a benchtop belt sander with a grinding wheel that allows angle adjustment which is my main purpose. It's from buck tools which I've never heard of before so no idea if it's a good brand or not.
If i were you I'd look at a 2x42. I've got a 6x48 and it works fine for what I need but neither it nor a 4x36 are really ideal. Maybe putting too much/uneven pressure on the belt? Could always save up to get a 2x42 bench grinder style, you're halfway there. The more powerful (1/2 hp)ones only seem to come with a disk sander on the opposite side but I've been looking at a 1/3hp one that's got a 6" grinding or wire wheel opposite and that seems way more useful. Could get a polishing disk or whatever for that side, a little less power but a little more versatile. I've been looking at this one but not ready to commit. Maybe I will when I run out of belts for mine, I'll just order reg belts for it and it can be just for woodworking.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQ6LCK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_Vc8HFbVHMZB1E
Depends on what you wanna make. If it's mostly knives than I'd go with something else. you can get a 1x30 from harbor freight for $50 and they sell zirconia belts for it that aren't terrible. There are also some decent 2x42 out there that run $150-200 and come with either a disk sander or stone/ wire wheel (I'd go for the latter) in the other side. That being said, I've got a 6x48 and it works fine for my needs (mostly making tools and stuff) with the right belts. Red Label and Cubitron belts are available but I mostly just use zirconia cause I'm cheap. aluminum oxide belts are almost worthless for steel. If i get into knives I'll probably get this 2x42
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQ6LCK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_Ci5DFbJ0MKJVD
My professor recommended a bench grinder with a belt sander attachment. It’s more compact and does the same job. Plus you can have buffing wheels on the other side. bench grinder with belt sander attachment.
Haven't used this brand but used similar machines and they do decent work, better than any 1x30 I've used. Like this one because of the wire wheel/ stone, most have the sanding disk. Can get a good selection of ceramic belts in this size too
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQ6LCK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_ogQyFbS7MYQQD
alternately, you could always get some metal specific belts for that one, definitely would be better than the aluminum oxide it looks like you've got on there, zirconia belts are definitely a step up
Bucktool Combo 2" x 42" Belt Sander 6" Bench Grin... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQ6LCK8/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_4AFWV34R3EYHVRBCDH3F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
$260 for a 2x42 all you need. No regerts!
Bucktool Combo 2" x 42" Belt Sander 6" Bench Grinder, Knife Sharpener with Large Work Table BG2600 Upgraded Model https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQ6LCK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TEXVSN7WWF04702PBKWR
Bucktool Combo 2" x 42" Belt Sander 6" Bench Grinder, Knife Sharpener with Large Work Table BG2600 Upgraded Model https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQ6LCK8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_TEXVSN7WWF04702PBKWR