asymmetrical vs symmetrical edge

[on_the_edge]

What, if anything, is the practical difference between these two edges all other things on the knives in question being equal?? Is one a more aggressive cutter, likely to hold its edge longer? Is there any difference in the real world between these two edges?

 

[yuzuha]

Depends on what you're cutting. I like to put an asymetric edge on one of my whittlers so I can raise up shavings like a chisel with it, while a symetric edge would either dig in too deep or skip over the surface. I also do that to one of my kitchen knives as it makes it easier to take good even slices off the end of a salami etc.

 

[HoB]

Is one a more aggressive cutter, likely to hold its edge longer?

No, angle is angle and width is width. If you compare to edges one asymmetric the other symmetric both polished to the same level with the same included angle and the same width behind the edge, cutting ability and edgeholding are identical.

Is there any difference in the real world between these two edges?

Yes, just as Yuzuha said, mechanically there is a difference. The asymmetric edge will perform more like a chisel. You will get more lift on the bevel side (there are entire theories on the correct lift for chip-breaking when cutting and planing wood), and you will get a more precises edge placement. However asymmetric edges tend to pull and unless they don't compensate with a concave blade side, you might experience more binding.

 

[duck!]

No, angle is angle and width is width. If you compare to edges one asymmetric the other symmetric both polished to the same level with the same included angle and the same width behind the edge, cutting ability and edgeholding are identical.
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Maybe I don't understand what you are saying. If the included angle from point to blade is the same and the thinckness of the knife blades is the same, then the width behind the edge will be greater on the asymmetric edge. For me, it seems easier to sharpen a two-sided edge. ?