How do you test for dullness?

[jasonbroni]

I don't use paper or shaving - I put the edge at roughly a 20 degree angle on my thumb nail - if it bites in I'm happy. If it slides at all its time to sharpen (for me anyway)
How about you guys?

 

[ocnLogan]

I use that method as well.

Also, of it can't slice paper, it's time.

 

[Ken44]

I feel the edge with my fingertips.
Started doing that as a butcher when younger, and have done it that way since.
I lightly push into the edge from side and pull back and very, very slightly downward.
If it catches skin its sharp, and after a while you can tell how sharp by how it catches.

 

[fsatsil]

I use the Murray Carter three finger test

 

[killgar]

I lightly draw the pad of my thumb or finger across the edge. I can tell by the amount of "bite" if it meets my required level of sharpness. I call this method "the caress of steel". I just caress the edge.

And then sometimes just for a bit of visual satisfaction I will flick a few hairs off my arm.

 

[22-rimfire]

I generally check with my fingers. After a while you can tell if a knife is about the way you like it. The paper cutting test is a good one too as is the gripping the finger nail. Use what works for you. Really sharp knives are difficult to discern with the finger test until you have some experience.

 

[marcinek]

I try to cut something I need to cut. If it doesn't cut it well, its dull.

 

[jasonbroni]

Do you ever answer in a non snotty way or you just have it out for me?

 

[orezona]

There's an "edge sharpness tester" thread over in Maintenance & Tinkering that you might find interesting...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1285538-Edge-Sharpness-Tester?highlight=sharpness

A few very knowledgeful members tested the tool out and got interesting results. The thread died a while back but it's a pretty interesting read.

 

[marcinek]

Do you ever answer in a non snotty way or you just have it out for me?

That's how I test for sharpness. Sorry. You asked.

 

[marcinek]

That's how I test for sharpness. Sorry. You asked.

See? Nothing new.

If you feel they are sharp...sharp enough to cut the things you want to cut....they are sharp. End of story.

There is no objective standard or measure for "sharp."

 

[jasonbroni]

Fair enough..

 

[knarfeng]

I don't use paper or shaving - I put the edge at roughly a 20 degree angle on my thumb nail - if it bites in I'm happy. If it slides at all its time to sharpen (for me anyway)
How about you guys?

This is how I test, also.

 

[Carboniferous]

I use the thumbnail test, but it's really a rather low bar. Even a pretty dull edge will catch a fingernail, so if it fails the fingernail test it's badly in need of a touch up. If it passes the fingernail test I see if it shaves hair by shaving a few hairs on my upper arm or upper leg and repeat on the other side of the blade to check for a burr.

 

[marcinek]

Fair enough..

Glad to hear how I test for sharpness is OK with you. :thumbup:

 

[EChoil]

I check with my thumb, rubbing perpendicular to the edge. Always have. If I'm not sure I'll go to the feel of it slicing paper

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Thumbnail for EDC ETC knives and for Culinary, Tomatoes are the last work in Culinary knives. If it squeezes them down before a cut it's time!.

 

[Ajack60]

I try to cut something I need to cut. If it doesn't cut it well, its dull.

That is exactly the way I measure the sharpness of my knives. I try not to over think or over sharpen my knives.

 

[Bludgeon]

I try to cut something I need to cut. If it doesn't cut it well, its dull.

This is the way I test also with paracord being the test subject. Must slice through like butter, then it's gtg.

 

[Lee48]

I feel the edge with my fingertips.
Started doing that as a butcher when younger, and have done it that way since.
I lightly push into the edge from side and pull back and very, very slightly downward.
If it catches skin its sharp, and after a while you can tell how sharp by how it catches.

That's pretty much how I do it too.