Did your used knife arrive sharp?

[Mark Schmitt]

One of the great things about this forum, and others, is the freedom
it gives one to try out some "pre-owned" knives by buying them from
other Forumites at a reduced cost. You get a quality knife and you
correspond with some really nice folks.

I have done so many times (with good results) but I have started to wonder...

As a buyer, when you get that used knife in the mail is it sharp?

As a seller, when you sell a knife you have stated has been used and sharpened do you sharpen or touch up the edge before you send it out?

(I am talking about knives which have been used and have no factory edge left)

In my own experience, the knives which I have bought used do not arrive sharp. The only "sharp" knives are the ones with the factory
edge intact (in other words , the knife was VERY lightly used).

I would be interested in other's experiences on this topic...

Mark

 

[Brian_Turner]

There are many people who place a premium on having their knives arrive without facing the stone of an amateur sharpener. If I'm buying a knife that's been sharpened, I expect to know about it the way that any other use or abuse should be noted. If I'm selling a knife, I will note it. A knife is not NIB, or even LNIB, if it's been sharpened. I will also note if the maker himself has been the one to do any sharpening. Any edge other than the one that came on the knife amounts to heavier than simple use.

 

[Jason Burns]

I agree with Brian. If a knife I am selling or trading has never been sharpened since it has left the factory I tell the buyer and ask if they would like for me to sharpen it. If is a user, I put a good shaving edge on it before sending it out and make it clear to the buyer that is has been sharpened.