Looking for a belt sander, Kali SM1 or Viel S5?

[LBsand]

I am relativly new to posting tho I've been lurking for a while. Like the title says I am looking into a new belt sander for sharpening and seems these are the 2 best options. I welcome any and all input. Which is better and why. Pros, cons to each etc. Mods, if I have posted tthis in the wrong area please advise.
Pics as requested

Kalamazoo SM1


Viel S5

[Komitadjie]

They both have great reps, from what I've seen it mostly comes down to where you live. If in the US, the Kalamazoo tends to be easier and cheaper to come by. If in Canada, the Viel. In terms of performance, the Viel will depend a lot on what motor you put on it. With the same class motor, it will likely perform almost identically to the Kalamazoo.

I have the Kally myself, and use it all the time, it's my primary method of sharpening, and the machine I use to sharpen at the gun shop here in town. I would have no reservations about ordering a second one, it's superb. I've used it for a lot tougher projects than sharpening, incidentally. With a 50-grit belt it handled deburring and shaping parts for our wrought-iron railings just great, and it has done a fair bit of wood work for me as well.

[LBsand]

Thanks, seems the viel works opposite (edge leading) of the Kalli or my HF. Also there is a jig that will ensure the bevel is consistent. Never sharpened into the belt before. Seems unnatural but knifemakers do it all the time. Do you just convex or do you sharpen on the platen with your kally?

They both have great reps, from what I've seen it mostly comes down to where you live. If in the US, the Kalamazoo tends to be easier and cheaper to come by. If in Canada, the Viel. In terms of performance, the Viel will depend a lot on what motor you put on it. With the same class motor, it will likely perform almost identically to the Kalamazoo.

I have the Kally myself, and use it all the time, it's my primary method of sharpening, and the machine I use to sharpen at the gun shop here in town. I would have no reservations about ordering a second one, it's superb. I've used it for a lot tougher projects than sharpening, incidentally. With a 50-grit belt it handled deburring and shaping parts for our wrought-iron railings just great, and it has done a fair bit of wood work for me as well.

[Komitadjie]

I do both, edge-trailing only. I have a modified platen, made by a fellow named Mark Reich, that makes it a lot more usable if platen-sharpening is what you have in mind. I actually use the slack for convexing probably 10X as often as I use the platen, though. Mostly, the hard-back I use for re-grinding tips and things of that nature where material removal is the name of the game.