It's strange for me, I guess numbers don't make a huge selling point for me. Plus this doesn't factor in anything besides the very very apex of the edge in a super fine push cut. I gauge my sharpness based on shaving, hair splicing, fingernail tests, and wood cutting tests.
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Edge Sharpness Tester
- Thread starter rlucius
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That mirrors my thoughts on this at first glance. My mean more for razors as knives are more of a pull cut. I'm interested to see what the folks in the pass around have to say after using one.
KennyB
In ref: your ship to address
Please contact Mike Brubacker at telephone 480 622 8859 in Phoenix, Arizona - your instrument is ready to ship today.
Thanks
Rupert
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- Joined
- May 31, 2011
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Looks like my test unit is headed out today! I'll be posting pictures as soon as I receive it, I'm setting up a spot on my shop table just for the tests. I'm really looking forward to being able to test a few things I've been curious about for a long time, regarding edge degradation!
Whoops it's been a busy week I keep forgetting to call again. I spoke with Mike once and was going to suggest the names of some people who he could send one too but it seems that they've already been contacted. I'll try to make that call tomorrow.
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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Same here, have a spot ready for mine as well. :thumbup:
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I don't understand those lamenting the use or value of the product. What difference does it make if the information is valuable to you or not? What difference does it make if you can or can't afford a tester? Like most I'm looking forward to the reviews. I know a lot of the testers and I believe their reviews will be accurate and honest.
It appears to me that this company is being quite generous in an attempt to satisfy our curiosity about the product. Can we at least wait until we get feedback before deciding on whether or not the tool is useful?
Some people...
It appears to me that this company is being quite generous in an attempt to satisfy our curiosity about the product. Can we at least wait until we get feedback before deciding on whether or not the tool is useful?
Some people...
Ankerson
Knife and Computer Geek
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Personally I am excited about it because if it does what I believe that it will do it will add another data point to my testing and a solid number value on sharpness before testing.
Will also be a nice addition to what I do already.
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Eh, this is the internet, man! You wouldn't have an interesting forum if you didn't have people stirring it up and tossing out different ideas. 
Sure, it's not gonna' be a tool for everyone! I view this more or less like a "pure science" thing. This won't tell you how a knife will perform in actual use, any more than, say, a Rockwell tester will. It will just give you a *bit* more information in a repeatable format that you can use to learn. If you just want to have a sharp knife for day-to-day use? This probably is not going to be worth your money. But if you are the kind that wants to know more just for the sake of knowing more? I see this as another tool like a good microscope, a way of testing one edge against another, and charting how your own work progresses.
Sure, it's not gonna' be a tool for everyone! I view this more or less like a "pure science" thing. This won't tell you how a knife will perform in actual use, any more than, say, a Rockwell tester will. It will just give you a *bit* more information in a repeatable format that you can use to learn. If you just want to have a sharp knife for day-to-day use? This probably is not going to be worth your money. But if you are the kind that wants to know more just for the sake of knowing more? I see this as another tool like a good microscope, a way of testing one edge against another, and charting how your own work progresses.
Well said^.Eh, this is the internet, man! You wouldn't have an interesting forum if you didn't have people stirring it up and tossing out different ideas.
Sure, it's not gonna' be a tool for everyone! I view this more or less like a "pure science" thing. This won't tell you how a knife will perform in actual use, any more than, say, a Rockwell tester will. It will just give you a *bit* more information in a repeatable format that you can use to learn. If you just want to have a sharp knife for day-to-day use? This probably is not going to be worth your money. But if you are the kind that wants to know more just for the sake of knowing more? I see this as another tool like a good microscope, a way of testing one edge against another, and charting how your own work progresses.
This is a public internet forum, and as long as people follow the rules they are free to express any opinion they want.
In his opening post the OP said and I quote- "so if you have a question or comment I'd like to hear it and especially what you think about using an instrument like this as an aide to beginners".
The OP did not say "I only want to hear from people who agree with this product and would like to buy one".
So relax. No one in this thread called anyone's mother a bad name or questioned anyone's ancestral heritage. "Some people", yeah, some people are overly sensitive.
There are lots of people in the knife world with varying tastes, interests, and opinions. I don't agree with all of them, but I don't judge or criticize them just because theirs are different from mine. There's room for all opinions in the knife world, and on this forum.
If people want to buy a knife sharpness tester and use it, I say more power to them. Every purchase is good for the economy and helps keep people employed.
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Meh you guys are right, I just take exception to people being rude, even if slight. Comments, questions and feedback can be handled without making assumptions about the thing. We've already had one apology (well handled) for jumping the gun.
Anyway, my point has been made. I won't comment further. I'll reserve judgment until I see some reviews.
Carry on.
Anyway, my point has been made. I won't comment further. I'll reserve judgment until I see some reviews.
Carry on.
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- Aug 12, 2010
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Ankerson, I agree. With the data you already have accumulated, this is another useful tool that may add another dimension to the final results.
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- Apr 3, 2011
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Same here =) I got to play w/ it a little bit last night... pretty sweet and super simple. Here's a set up video (not much to it lol)
[video=youtube;bNlLFkmG5yA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNlLFkmG5yA[/video]
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So I finished my first knife, testing sharpness levels at the stock Wicked Edge 200 and 1k grit stages, then again at the 1um lapping film stage, then finally post stropping. I am kind of confused as to the results. I think one thing needs to be determined, and may be already, but when people post up gram weights for edge sharpness it needs to be specified if the weight posted is with or without the weight of the piston assembly (which weights 55 grams per the manual) calculated in to it... I think it should be included so I will be including it in my measurements. Update: Nevermind, I found in the manual where it is specified, don't know how I missed it before, but the weight in grams is the measurement of the cup + the media inside (you don't include the piston assembly weight). Numbers below modified back to reflect just the severing weight (cup + media).
The reason I am confused is because both the 200 and 1k grit levels tested the same, at 50 grams, even though the 200 edge would barely shave hair and the 1k edge was popping it off (on both sides). What was really interesting was when I got the the 1um level it took a whopping 90 grams to sever the test media! And this same edge was hair whittling at this stage. Post stropping I saw better results with it dropping down to 25 grams (at this stage it was passing HHT-4).
Here is the knife below I tested, the edge bevel is set at 15 dps. Off to call Rupert to touch base and see if I am doing anything wrong...
The reason I am confused is because both the 200 and 1k grit levels tested the same, at 50 grams, even though the 200 edge would barely shave hair and the 1k edge was popping it off (on both sides). What was really interesting was when I got the the 1um level it took a whopping 90 grams to sever the test media! And this same edge was hair whittling at this stage. Post stropping I saw better results with it dropping down to 25 grams (at this stage it was passing HHT-4).
Here is the knife below I tested, the edge bevel is set at 15 dps. Off to call Rupert to touch base and see if I am doing anything wrong...
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Jason B.
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Mine arrived yesterday and this morning I had the chance to give it a few tests.
First, I think this device has major flaws in sharpness testing. First is the test media and it's bias to very high levels of refinement. Next, the test media bows over the edge so you have binding and wedging of the cutting media against the knife edge apex.
I am also seeing a static load issue, if I place (for example) 500 grams on the platform and let it sit for 30 seconds with a polished 2k edge it will cut the media. I have noticed this at several points in the testing where sitting with a static load will eventually cause a cut of the test media.
Next, behind the edge thickness and edge angle seem to be playing a very large part in testing results as would be expected, except these numbers are so far off its unreal. My EDC, spyderco endura FFG, finished on a 2000 grit Shapton Glass stone, BESS score 450. ZT 0450, finished on a 2000 grit Shapton Glass stone, BESS score 1680. Neither could be considered dull.
I ran a full test from 150 grit to 10,000 grit on the Gyuto with wood handle to the left.
The results are as follows,
Nubatama 150- BESS 1580, utility edge-very coarse.
King 1k- BESS 1020, toothy-shaving sharp, most would be happy here.
Naniwa 2k Green Brick- BESS 500 stood static for 20 seconds, push cutting-hair popping, my typical finishing point.
Naniwa 8K Snow White- BESS 934 stood static for 5 seconds, extremely sharp-shaves hair on contact, cuts skin on contact.
Imanishi 10K plus stropping on 1 micron boron carbide- BESS 0/no weight 2-3 second static, with plastic nuts.
First, I think this device has major flaws in sharpness testing. First is the test media and it's bias to very high levels of refinement. Next, the test media bows over the edge so you have binding and wedging of the cutting media against the knife edge apex.
I am also seeing a static load issue, if I place (for example) 500 grams on the platform and let it sit for 30 seconds with a polished 2k edge it will cut the media. I have noticed this at several points in the testing where sitting with a static load will eventually cause a cut of the test media.
Next, behind the edge thickness and edge angle seem to be playing a very large part in testing results as would be expected, except these numbers are so far off its unreal. My EDC, spyderco endura FFG, finished on a 2000 grit Shapton Glass stone, BESS score 450. ZT 0450, finished on a 2000 grit Shapton Glass stone, BESS score 1680. Neither could be considered dull.
I ran a full test from 150 grit to 10,000 grit on the Gyuto with wood handle to the left.
The results are as follows,
Nubatama 150- BESS 1580, utility edge-very coarse.
King 1k- BESS 1020, toothy-shaving sharp, most would be happy here.
Naniwa 2k Green Brick- BESS 500 stood static for 20 seconds, push cutting-hair popping, my typical finishing point.
Naniwa 8K Snow White- BESS 934 stood static for 5 seconds, extremely sharp-shaves hair on contact, cuts skin on contact.
Imanishi 10K plus stropping on 1 micron boron carbide- BESS 0/no weight 2-3 second static, with plastic nuts.
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- Apr 3, 2011
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- 5,791
I think it depends on what type of abrasives you sharpen with, along with sharpening method. For example, I would be curious as to what it tested w/ your Atoma 140? That was what was so weird above - I got 50 BESS scores on both the 200 and 1k grit diamond plates. And those were finished with edge leading passes getting lighter and lighter until feather light.
Yeah I've noticed it bowing a little when it is set down on the edge. But I don't see how you would have binding and wedging when the test media is only .008" thick and it has opposing forces pulling it apart essentially. Binding seems to happen when something is compressed together and you are trying to cut through it. Of course, the geometry issue you noted may be because you are checking japanese cutlery that has an edge depth of less than .008" thick at which point I see how there could be a notable difference.
I noticed this, on a lesser time schedule, as well (only a second or two). I did not try any 30 second intervals, that was good thinking! I wonder if there needs to be some standard developed time wise?
What edge thicknesses, and edge depths to the shoulders were these folders if you don't mind me asking? Curious...
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Yeah I understand everything matters... let me give an analogy as to my reasoning =)
Let's say you took needle and a 1/4" metal rod, same steel and both heat treated, then sharpened them both to 15 degrees at the point at the same level of sharpness at the tip under high power magnification. Let's say the shoulders of the needle are .010" in from the tip, and let's say shoulders of the 1/4" rod are .250" in from the tip. Which one will draw blood first under a given amount of force? I believe that both would be the same. Which one would pierce deeper with less force? The needle, because it is much less thick from .010" on. The point being, that until the .010" mark, they both do the same thing and are just as effective. See what I'm saying?