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Convex edge vs V
- Thread starter tlavas
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2008
- Messages
- 3,654
Whichever one you made sharper.
I find convex edges are a sinch to maintain, but regular V edges aren't rocket science either.
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2009
- Messages
- 11,409
In theory, convexing an edge that was originally a V grind should make the angle more obtuse, which would technically lower sharpness. The irony being that the shape of the edge should make it easier to cut through thick materials by minimizing resistance(think of a bullet).
People also say that a convex edge is easier to strop, though I have some doubts about that.
In the end, I think it's mostly just a personal preference. I just find mirror polished convex edges more pleasing to the eye than a mirror polished V grind.
I have a slight variant of Dorito Monk's reply...
The one you find easier to maintain.
The one you find easier to maintain.
The one you find easier to maintain.
The one you find easier to maintain.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2008
- Messages
- 3,654
Haha, I like it! Wise words.
I just stole your idea.
I do agree with you that its all about what type edge you can get to a level of sharpness sufficient to do whatever you need to do with your knife.
Beyond that is just knifesturbation.
Of course, most of us here (including myself) are chronic knifesturbators.
Guess what. You just have learned something.
Sorry it wasn't what you wanted to hear.
Someone who asks a question like you did clearly hasn't had much sharpening experience. If you did have that experience....you would have your answer to that question.
So go out and find the answer. Simple.
No one can tell you what YOU will find to be the better of the two.
Move on where? You will get the same thing anyplace. Except it will probably go like this....
Convex!
Vee!
Convex!
Vee!
Convex!
Vee!
Convex!
Vee!
Convex!
Vee!
.
.
.
And in the end you will get no help whatsoever. Listen to D. Monk. Get some cheap knives and sharpening stuff and go at it.
t1mpani
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2002
- Messages
- 5,526
Chillax peeps...
The sharper edge is (generally) the thinner one, finished to a higher grit. I've seen convex edges so thin you can roll them with your thumb, flat bevels so thick that they'd bruise jello, the reverse, and everything in between.
Sharpening is removing material from two planes (or curves) that intersect, trying to reduce the cross-section of that intersection, period. Doesn't matter what the grind is. There's no magic to it, just takes practice and perseverance.
Which you'll prefer can only be answered by you yourself trying them. I'm sorry if you're looking for a definitive "this is better than that" type of answer but there really isn't one based on anything other than the limited experiences and unlimited prejudices of the people who happen to post. You might as well ask an Internet forum, "which girl should I marry?" or "should I name my dog Samson or Hercules?" You can obtain lots of opinion but none of it means anything.
I will say this--most beginners will probably not wear out convex knives as quickly, since the preferred way of sharpening them (soft-backed sandpaper and strops) doesn't remove material as fast as solid stones or diamonds do, and so the tendency to over-sharpen isn't as strong. Many, many people remove WAY too much steel when they "sharpen", often fixing and ruining the edge several times over before they stop. But again, that's just my take on it.
And by the way, there's nothing to the notion that convexing an edge makes it more obtuse. You certainly CAN, and you can also make it more acute. Depends on if you focused your radiusing on the edge itself or the edge shoulder.
The sharper edge is (generally) the thinner one, finished to a higher grit. I've seen convex edges so thin you can roll them with your thumb, flat bevels so thick that they'd bruise jello, the reverse, and everything in between.
Sharpening is removing material from two planes (or curves) that intersect, trying to reduce the cross-section of that intersection, period. Doesn't matter what the grind is. There's no magic to it, just takes practice and perseverance.
Which you'll prefer can only be answered by you yourself trying them. I'm sorry if you're looking for a definitive "this is better than that" type of answer but there really isn't one based on anything other than the limited experiences and unlimited prejudices of the people who happen to post. You might as well ask an Internet forum, "which girl should I marry?" or "should I name my dog Samson or Hercules?" You can obtain lots of opinion but none of it means anything.
I will say this--most beginners will probably not wear out convex knives as quickly, since the preferred way of sharpening them (soft-backed sandpaper and strops) doesn't remove material as fast as solid stones or diamonds do, and so the tendency to over-sharpen isn't as strong. Many, many people remove WAY too much steel when they "sharpen", often fixing and ruining the edge several times over before they stop. But again, that's just my take on it.
And by the way, there's nothing to the notion that convexing an edge makes it more obtuse. You certainly CAN, and you can also make it more acute. Depends on if you focused your radiusing on the edge itself or the edge shoulder.
- Joined
- May 23, 2010
- Messages
- 53
Best answer !!!!
Who isn't relaxed, son?
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2002
- Messages
- 10,317
I welcome you for joining here, tlavas, but you have to understand that you are asking a question that 1) gets asked over and over again; and 2) there is no right answer.
This is why you may think people are jumping down your throat.
Stick around a while, read more and then you'll start seeing that you've been getting good advice here!
t1mpani
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2002
- Messages
- 5,526
Indeed...many tend to react to a well-worn topic as though they're still engaging in the same arguments they were in the LAST time it came up.
Though to tell the truth, there wasn't nearly as much down-the-throat jumping in this thread as many. Not that it should happen, but then I shouldn't drink so much caffeine either.
Welcome to BF, stick around, and keep in mind that text doesn't communicate tone worth beans.
Though to tell the truth, there wasn't nearly as much down-the-throat jumping in this thread as many. Not that it should happen, but then I shouldn't drink so much caffeine either.
Welcome to BF, stick around, and keep in mind that text doesn't communicate tone worth beans.
I use both interchangably and haven't found any difference between them in attainable sharpness. For maintenance, it's hard to say.
Stropping is said to work well on convex edges to maintain them. Convex affictionados fail to mention that it works just as well on V edges. V edge lovers sometimes claim the edge must meet at the intersection of 2 exact planes, then forget to mention that unless you use a jig or machine, the best hand sharpened edges are still slightly convex.
Since we are talking about only the edge, not the primary grind from spine to edge, it's quite a narrow region of steel. There are so many other variables that affect edge performance that just V vs. Convex won't make a noticable difference. The exception is some people have an affinity for one or the other. In that case, user skill will determine which one can get sharper and is easier to maintain. If you've been using a V edge for years, changing to covex will pose some difficulty until you get some practice. It works the other way too.
Stropping is said to work well on convex edges to maintain them. Convex affictionados fail to mention that it works just as well on V edges. V edge lovers sometimes claim the edge must meet at the intersection of 2 exact planes, then forget to mention that unless you use a jig or machine, the best hand sharpened edges are still slightly convex.
Since we are talking about only the edge, not the primary grind from spine to edge, it's quite a narrow region of steel. There are so many other variables that affect edge performance that just V vs. Convex won't make a noticable difference. The exception is some people have an affinity for one or the other. In that case, user skill will determine which one can get sharper and is easier to maintain. If you've been using a V edge for years, changing to covex will pose some difficulty until you get some practice. It works the other way too.
So...you found the one that was "better"?