Do you use the factory edge?

Do you use the factory edge on new knives?

  • Yes

    Votes: 26 60.5%

  • No, I sharpen/re-profile right away

    Votes: 17 39.5%
  • Total voters
    43
  • Poll closed .
P

PeterS84

Sharpening addict, collector of "super steels"
Joined
May 9, 2018
Messages
226
Hi all,

Just a curious question to see if I'm crazy or not.

When you receive a new knife, do you use it with the factory edge until it requires sharpening or do you sharpen/re-profile right away without using it?
 
I use it if it's acceptably sharp. If it feels deficient, then it will find its way to the stones.

I've recently received some Spydercos that were fine out of the box, some that were not. I let the knife tell me.
 
I’ll try to use it, and typically wind up doing something to improve and customize it.
 
Blues said:
I use it if it's acceptably sharp. If it feels deficient, then it will find its way to the stones.

I've recently received some Spydercos that were fine out of the box, some that were not. I let the knife tell me.
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For whatever reason I think I've gotten pickier over the years about factory edges. It used to be that when I bought a new knife I wouldn't sharpen it until it was dull enough that cardboard cutting was a challenge. Anymore I find myself re-profiling as soon as I decide it's "a keeper." That change seems to have correlated with improvements in my sharpening skills/equipment.
 
I get it Peter. Sometimes the knife is (just) a canvas for the sharpening. Sometimes the knife in its original pristine (unblemished) state is virtual perfection.

And sometimes, for those with the requisite level of skill, (I am not one of them), the melding of knife, sharpener and sharpening gives birth to the best realization of all.
 
Blues said:
I get it Peter. Sometimes the knife is (just) a canvas for the sharpening. Sometimes the knife in its original pristine (unblemished) state is virtual perfection.

And sometimes, for those with the requisite level of skill, (I am not one of them), the melding of knife, sharpener and sharpening gives birth to the best realization of all.
Click to expand...
Don't know that I'm one of them either. As you implied, there is no wrong answer. It's all about enjoying our prized tools in whatever way we find most gratifying. :)
 
I cant help but resharpen new knives, Some factory edges are great but it is always nice to see how much better I can get them. Also nice to be find out what stone progression works best if it is a new steel.
 
Yes I use what ever is there for a while to get to know the knife. Then days later I will put my edge on it. I have been surprised more than once !
Surpised good : Case Genuine Stag Full Size Trapper. That was one seriously durable edge that just kept cutting. I kept doing double takes. Basic old SS steel but dang if it didn't get a lot of work done before I sharpened it.
Surprised bad : Spyderco S110V Manix LW dull as hell . . . I mean worthless. Had to sharpen it before I carried it one day.
I'm not saying Case SS can take the place of S110V; that's not what I am saying at all even a little bit.
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PeterS84 said:
Hi all,

Just a curious question to see if I'm crazy or not.

When you receive a new knife, do you use it with the factory edge until it requires sharpening or do you sharpen/re-profile right away without using it?
Click to expand...

Ha, ha, ha
My latest knife (this; my third Brad Zinker Urban Trapper) has a really decent edge on it from the factory and I have been using it at work and at home for food prep for a week (VG-10) and it has been performing nicely. I have done zero of my hard rubber trimming at work with it though; that would take the edge off it in a day or two.

So I haven't sharpened or even touched up the edge . . .
. . . but . . . ha, ha, ha, I have been making new scales for it out of ebony. They gonna be thick; not like them little slivers of G-10 on there now.

I love these knives; even the edge from the factory is good stuff.
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I use the factory edges if they are shaving sharp. If not, I will touch them up just enough so they shave. I try to minimize sharpening as much as possible since steel is being ground off each and every time I take it to the stones.
 
I use them until I find something about it that needs to be improved (or I think I find something), how long differs from hours (unusual), days (not that uncommon) to a month of use. I'm trying to remember if I have any factory edges on my knives at the moment, and the only two I can remember is two fixed blades that I haven't used at all yet (and I've thought about sharpening one of them, just because it's 52100 that I haven't sharpened before).
 
at the very least, I "play" with it as it is from the factory that same day.
then decide if it needs my edge or can go a little longer with their edge
 
I will use the factory edge if it is satisfactory. If I didn't I wouldn't be able to justify complaining about poor factory edges.
 
I use them for a bit before sharpening , then decide if knife will be a user or go in the drawer .
 
Mikke said:
I'm trying to remember if I have any factory edges on my knives at the moment, and the only two I can remember is two fixed blades that I haven't used at all yet (and I've thought about sharpening one of them, just because it's 52100 that I haven't sharpened before).
Click to expand...

If my experience is anything to go by, you are in for a treat. 52100 and sr101 make me feel like I know what I’m doing. Took very sharp edges, polished nicely, deburred easily. They ground well on any stone I tried, diamonds, waterstones, or sic. Compared to finicky steels that need a certain stone progression, they were a pleasure.

I want to get more 52100 just to sharpen! Since I mostly use stainless it’s hard to justify.
 
Blues said:
I use it if it's acceptably sharp. If it feels deficient, then it will find its way to the stones.
Click to expand...

+1 . I am only an ok sharpener. But I can put a workable edge on any blade once I focus on it.

Most knives I get are fine for my needs out of the box, but if the grinds are all wonky or my general kitchen knives are sharper... they go right to the stones. Otherwise, I beat on them until they need it.
 
Plain edge, depends. Mostly I thin them down to sub 30° inclusive.
Serrated: use as is & only touch up as needed.

Cannot vote with the option like it is now. ;)
 
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