A resilient hand-held abrasive article includes a flexible conformable backing layer having opposed first and second major surfaces, a flexible reinforcing layer affixed to at least one of the backing layer first and second major surfaces, and abrasive particles arranged on the reinforcing layer, thereby defining an abrasive surface. The backing layer comprises a multiplicity of separated resilient bodies connected to each other in a generally planar array in a pattern that provides open spaces between adjacent connected bodies.

A hand-held, manually-operated sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet of abrasive material includes a base member and a clamping mechanism. The base member defines first and second ends, a bottom surface extending between the first and second ends, a contact surface formed opposite the bottom surface and extending from the first end, and at least one tooth extending from the contact surface. The clamping mechanism is pivotally connected to the base member at a pivot point, defines a front section opposite the pivot point, and is movable about the pivot point between an open position, in which the front section is spaced from the contact surface for receiving an end portion of a sheet of abrasive material, and a closed position, in which the clamping mechanism is more proximate the contact surface and the front section is more proximate the at least one tooth.

A hand-held, manually-operated sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet-like abrasive material, such as sandpaper, includes a base member and one or more clamping mechanisms pivotally connected with opposed ends of the base member. The clamping mechanism(s) include a tensioning member arranged to slidably interface with a corresponding contact surface provided at the end of the base member to tighten the sheet-like abrasive material as it is installed on the tool. Further, the tensioning member positions a leading edge thereof so as to minimize possible harmful contact with a user's finger(s) during loading of the abrasive material.

A hand-held, manually-operated sanding tool including a base member, a clamping mechanism, and a tab. The clamping mechanism is pivotally mounted to the base member, in alignment with a contact surface thereof such that the clamping mechanism pivots between a closed position and an open position in which a gap is defined between the clamping mechanism and the contact surface. The tab extends at least partially between the contact surface and the clamping mechanism, and establishes a stop surface that positively positions an edge of a sheet of abrasive material relative to an end of the base member as part of a loading operation.

A resilient flexible abrasive article includes a continuous backing layer including a support layer coated with foam, the continuous backing layer having opposed major surfaces, at least one of the major surfaces including a three dimensional surface topography including raised and recessed regions, and wherein the raised and recess regions are at least partially coated with abrasive particles, thereby defining an abrasive surface.