Analysis paralysis

[Gary W. Graley]

Definition: Analysis paralysis happens when overthinking, too many choices, and fear of a mistake stop you from making any decision at all. It leads to endless research, high stress, and missed chances.

That depicts me especially when I get a new knife in with an ’acceptable’ sharp edge. I just hold back on attempting to sharpen it and tell myself that I will wait until the edge becomes dull and THEN I will go ahead and sharpen it. Silly thought but it is a real thing for me at least. As once I go ahead and sharpen it, my fear goes away and I really appreciate the new sharper edge.

Anyone else feel like that when you get a new knife?
Reason I am posting about this is I just got a knife that cuts well and I am just reluctant to sharpen it. It’s just silly of me but it’s a real thing for me.
G2

Edited to add that I am sure that applies to a lot of things in the knife making world too

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Break out the sharpening equipment, my friend!!

 

[SharpBits]

I usually shrug and try to get a few more months out of the tired edge.

 

[Chase_ck]

I do this as well. Even with edges that come in scary sharp.

There is more you can get out of it and you know it! I’d do as Sharp & Fiery said.

 

[annr]

I would try to use it and sharpen it if/when it doesn’t perform. For me, this usually means I wind up going straight to regrind and sharpen. Once it’s settled, it goes the distance.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

annr I agree, I think that each time I sharpen something, you lose that much life from the blade, another piece of my paralysis ...
G2

 

[John Phillips]

I’ve bought 1 or 2 knives from you Gary W. Graley and the edge you put on a knife is TOP tier first class laser beam hair whittling sharp so I can understand why you would want to do so.

 

[SACBALLZ]

i too stress about my sharpening my knives, particularly when they are expensive. i just become unnecessarily wary of removing life from the blade. im still not confident in my sharpening ability so alot of knives just end up not even getting sharpened, because im worried about making a mistake and removing yet more material and life from the blade. in my experience, i absolutely get analysis paralysis when it comes to sharpening. really i just need to force myself to practice more, so i can be confident enough in my sharpening to sharpen all my stuff without any reservations or worries.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

With brand new, and especially expensive knives, I have spent a LOT of time sort of 'obsessing' about how best to make the edge my own. With other knives that aren't so pricey, and ones that I'm certain I'll immediately make into users, I haven't stressed much over those.

Up until recently, I basically assumed I'd reprofile each & every new knife I acquired. And I did, for the most part. But in the last couple of years, I've bought several from Buck Knives and have absolutely loved the factory edge grinds on them. Between their new CATRA-tested, improved edge grinds, and the fact that their edges have all been fully and beautifully apexed from the start, I've been much more reluctant to make any big changes to the edge. Instead, I've focused on doing my touch-ups in the most minimal manner possible, usually with just a handful of featherlight passes on a ceramic hone, just to keep the apex crisp while minimizing any change to the blade's default aggressive slicing character I like so much.

 

[RustyIron]

I am sure that applies to a lot of things in the knife making world too

Right on. There are those who wring their hands worrying about things, and there are those who jump in and do those things. As for knife edges, I first use them the way the maker intended. Invariably, I soon get curious and put my own edge on the blade.

 

[kobold]

I paid for that factory edge, so i want to get the maximum out of it! XD

 

[Gary W. Graley]

When I finally get past my concern of ruining the original edge and put a new one on, it always brings a smile to my face when I see just how sharp it is now compared to what it was. But even with knowing that, it never seems to change how I feel about it.
One quick test I do is to see how well it will push cut through paracord, if the edge has even a hint of not being apexed yet, the edge will just dent the paracord. It’s so satisfying using a sharp edge that easily drifts through it.
G2

And one other reason why I might delay sharpening a new knife is: I’m just lazy lol

 

[Jason B.]

Not me, I sharpen a new knife before it gets used. Mainly because I know my edge is better and most factory grinds are pretty sloppy. I also like to see what the steel is like, sharpness, hardness, etc.

 

[Rufus1949]

I always feel the tug to, at the very least, strop it. Then it is my knife.

 

[John Phillips]

It has taken me years to get confident enough with my sharpening ability to sharpen any knife that I value. I still won’t attempt the more expensive ones for fear of messing them up. I imagine this will change with more time and experience.

 

[Blues]

The opening post surprises me Gary...because I've always thought that the knives you sharpened (and posted here) looked to have been well taken care of.

I, on the other hand, realize that because I am not the most patient soul, have to consider whether I will be happy or not with producing a blemish on an otherwise pristine looking blade. (Though I'm always happier for the improvement in the final analysis.)

In the end, there is really no right or wrong answer...but to do what makes us most happy with our "treasures".

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Blues it is something that I have always struggled with, and I wondered if I was alone in that.

As I have always heard, admitting you have a problem is the first step to overcoming it

G2

 

[Blues]

Blues it is something that I have always struggled with, and I wondered if I was alone in that.

As I have always heard, admitting you have a problem is the first step to overcoming it

G2

Not nearly alone. Not even close.

 

[Tensaw]

I'll sharpen, disassemble, clean and lube a new knife within a few days after arrival. I could argue that it's necessary, but I'll just say that sharpening and doing a disassembly is part of the enjoyment for me. On rare occasions, I'll get a knife that I'm not sure I like and I'll keep it pristine in case I decide to sell it.

 

[Gary W. Graley]

T Tensaw that makes sense as well, for me it depends if the knife arrived with some need for tuning up, otherwise I don't bother it.

The most recent knife is this Kizer Renaissance folder; I do like this style of lock and lock release, very nicely done.

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Flat ground blade of N690

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

being flat ground, as you sharpen it, the very edge moves into the flat grind resulting it just ever so slightly thicker bit of the blade, unlike hollow ground blades. So unless it really needs sharpening, I will delay that until the cut no longer pleases me and then I will remove just enough metal to get it back to keen again. Some stropping before I make the move to stones, so only when stropping isn't enough will I proceed to the stones.

G2