Factory edges

[Skimo]

I've seen a lot of posts about factory knife edges, and I'd like to post my views and hopefully get a general idea about edges without discussing the companies or individuals that manufacture knives.

My personal views on factory edges is that very rarely will a factory put an edge on a knife that I'm happy with, I like even bevels, I like higher grits than what any manufacturer uses. Angles, again, rarely will a factory angle fit my purpose for a knife.

While I am looking at the three things listed above (angles, grits, uniform bevels) I tend not to notice exactly how well the edge is apexed, because it doesn't matter until it's even, at the grit I want and the angle I want... which is generally very near edge failure for most of my pocket knives.

I would argue that a perfectly apexed edge at 50° is in general rather useless, unless the steel can only support such a thick angle.

 

[Twindog]

I'll use a factory edge if it's sharp, which it usually is, until it gets a little dull; but in most cases I'll both resharpen and reprofile the edge to the angle I like, which is 30 degrees.

I like the Sharpmaker to touch up an edge between major sharpenings, and for that system to work I need a 30 or 40 degree edge. I chose 30 degrees because it cuts better and the good steels can handle it. For the Sharpmaker to work -- or at least work fast -- the blade edge has to match the angle of the stones. The Wicked Edge is perfect for reprofiling and sharpening, although for touch-up sharpening it's too much of a hassle compared to the Sharpmaker.

I get the sense that people both undervalue the ability to sharpen and undersell their own ability to learn.

 

[ponte]

I'll typically go with the factory edge until it becomes dull (unless it arrives that way). Next, I'll usually reprofile (convex) it on the 1x42 belt sander. Much quicker for me to do touch ups that way.

 

[Sonnydaze]

I've had some ceramic stones, for yrs, that I've used for gun-work. A fine white one and a rougher brown one, 1/2" square x 6" long. Good quality. I paid a bunch for them 30 yrs ago. Now if I could just build an adjustable-angled jig to hold them for my folders, I guess I'd have a Wicked Edge.
Sonnytoo

 

[Bill1170]

None of the poll choices fit me, but Skimo's post pretty much mirrors my own position.

 

[Elgreco]

I just keep buying more knives

 

[Dorito Monk]

I use the factory edge until it gets too dull, and then sharpen it myself. Sometimes they're too dull out of the gate, so they get sharpened right away.

I picked the "Are you serious?!" option.

"I live with whatever edge it comes with and throw away the knife when it becomes too dull for me." - I wonder if there are actually people who do this with their knives...

 

[grybsh7]

I've got an EdgePro, DMT plates, A Spyderco ceramic UF stone, paper wheels and several strops with an assortment
of diamond pastes and rouges. The last factory edge I was satisfied with and still have not changed was my Lionsteel SR-1.
For my folders I will usually reprofile to 15 degrees per side with the EP, then maintain the edge with the UF ceramic and strops.

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Almost there. Every knives that I EDC must meet my standard (able to shave my face dry). So if factory edge pass, it stays until it gets dull. If it doesn't pass, it gets sharpened as it comes on EDC role. Some spare ones will stay factory regardless, until they get carried.

None of your options valid for me. I freehand with stones, sandpaper & home made strop.

 

[Robs92XJ]

It is kind of a ritual for me to sharpen a new knife, even if the factory edge was pretty sharp. It makes it feel like *my* knife instead of *a* knife. Even the best factory edges are still very toothy, so I can always improve the edge to some degree. I'd be a little bummed, honestly, if a new knife came with a mirror polished hair whittling edge; I would feel sort of useless. What I mainly want from the manufacturer is a nice even grind from heel to tip. I don't care too much if there is a burr or if its not apexed fully, or if it doesn't cut paper out of the box. That's what I'm for!

Then there are cheap kitchen knives with 50 degree inclusive angles that I have to reprofile. Afterwards these will perform like a high-end knife (albeit with less edge-holding ability), so the end result is like the knife is half made by me.

 

[unit]

My official answer is, "it depends".

Some factory (or even custom) edges are better than others. If I intend to use the knife, I inspect the edge it came with and base my actions on the results of that inspection.

 

[Ken44]

I guess none of those 20 fit me, so I'll have to post.

Some of my knives come with a really great edge, and I don't touch those until after I use it. I touch a knife up, or strop, after each use so they will never get very dull.
Some I get needs to be sharpened before use, and some only need's a good stropping before use.

 

[Mr. Night]

belt grinder here. every new knife gets vexed out right away.

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

"I live with whatever edge it comes with and throw away the knife when it becomes too dull for me." - I wonder if there are actually people who do this with their knives...

There are, but these people would not be on BF

Other than thrown away, the knives might be stored & they buy new ones. There're plenty of sharp & cheap kitchen knives made and sold to these people, like 1.8$ each
Putting them away in drawer is as good as throwing it away when the owner simply buy new one IMO.
Obviously none of the member here would vote for any of these two options.

 

[Skimo]

You are right, I don't think I can change the poll, but if I can I'll add an option for the far more likely possibility for sending it to the manufacturer for sharpening.

 

[TheGame]

If it comes sharp, I will use it and then strop it at the end of the day. If it needs sharpened, I will sharpen it, and after use strop it to keep it that way. Maintaining the edge and never letting it get dull is what works best for me.

 

[mkjellgren]

I have yet to meet a factory edge I can't improve upon. Some take more work evening out the bevels than others but they all get a hair whittling mirror polished edge before they see any use. After that I never really let them get dull. I do all of the initial sharpening, reprofiling, and polishing free hand and do my touchups on the sharpmaker at 30° with the ultrafine rods.

 

[GRIM 62]

I'm a pretty good knife sharpener,been doing it since I was a kid.But,it's still kind of a let down to get a new dull knife.:grumpy:

 

[AlteredMopar]

I typically use it till it's dull and then put an edge back on it better than the factory. I rarely find a factory edge that won't at least cut something. I wouldn't buy a knife that dull. If they ignored the edge, what else did they miss? If it's new and already dull, I sure as hell don't want it. The only knives I have thrown away were damaged beyond repair. I have, however lost several or had them "liberated" by "buddies".

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I use it until it's dull then usually end up thinning the edge on the belt sander. From that point out I usually just touch it up with a DMT Diafold.