How do yo test your edge ,when do you know its sharp.

Many people use a new print. I personally prefer the post office reciepts. They seem to be even finer than news print to me.

Many other people test the edge by shaving a small sliver of their fingernail.

Others simply test it on a piece of wood and go on while still others cut a tomato or some other vege or fruit.

STR
 
simple paper test. If it cuts paper smoothly (without tearing or resisting) then it's ok. I always have a lot of paper handy...so that's what I use.
 
The "often immitated but never duplicated Murray Carter Three-finger Test" is what I use.

Grasp the blade with your thumb on the back of the edge (not the side, but the back), and put three (pointer, birdie, and ring) fingers held together against the sharp side of the blade, with the pads of your fingertips touching the blade. Very gently, try to slide your fingers and back and forth along (not across) the blade about 1/8" either way. If the blade grabs your fingers, it's very sharp. If the blade feels smooth, you have some work to do. Test the entire length of the edge.

threefingertest.jpg


Also, just for that "you done good" feeling, I hold a piece of newspaper up and slash through it - not a gentle pull, but a good healthy swipe at it. I like the to see the sliver of paper gently float to the floor.
 
I use a paper, nearly any paper will do. Data sheets is fine. Use the same sort of paper every time.
Hold the knife still with the edge down. Take the paper between your indexfinger and thumb. Put the edge of the knife just beside the finger and drag the edge of the paper against the edge of the knife. Start just below the handle - and drag the paper slowly against the edge during moving the paper slowly along the blade.

The edge shall cut the paper without any problems what so ever. You can feel any difference in the edge thru the paper. If the paper stops, you have some problems with the edge just there. Adjust the edge and try again.

This I how I test a edge – there is many other ways to make this test.

Thomas
 
Thin glossy magazine paper does it for me. You can hear everything that is going on with the edge. The less sound it makes going through, the more polished and refined the edge is.
 
One square of toilet paper held from one corner. Slash cut from center of square down should cleanly cut without tearing tissue.
 
At a 45 degree angle on my thumbnail. If it grips with nothing but the weight of the knife, then its sharp. I try it both directions and its surprising how many times you'll think its sharp as hell only to have it slide down your nail on the other side. Typically a small burr remains on that side.

And of course paper....that's why the wife rolls her eyes when she goes to read the newspaper or mail and sees those wicked little slices everywhere.
 
I use a ballpoint pen barrel. I hold it at about 45-70 degrees to the ground and the blade perpendicular to the ground and let the edge try to catch the barrel's plastic all up and down along both sides of the blade. If it passes that, I run the blade down the side of the barrel and if it slides as though it were floating over glass, it's sharp. Got the idea from Razor Edge Systems who sell an edge-tester which is basically just like a plastic-barrelled ballpoint pen except there's no ink and it costs $9.
 
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