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How does the Razor Edge Edge Tester work?
- Thread starter Crayola
- Start date
- Joined
- May 5, 2001
- Messages
- 919
I initially thought that it was a little hokey, but it works. After doing the whole thing to get the razor edge on your knife you then do a few tests which are basically running the tester over different areas of the blade (and vice-versa). You'll feel little snags, nicks or non-uniform areas that you might not catch with your eyes. You can then go over it again with a good idea of where to focus your efforts.
- Joined
- Sep 23, 1999
- Messages
- 3,831
A LIGHT touch is they key. I suspect any smooth plastic rod would work as well as the tester, but I haven't tried that. You definitely can't get away with a bad edge if you use the tester. There are 4 tests you do with it, and if your knife fails one of them, you feel kinda guilty walking away and saying "that's enough sharpening." 'Cuz it ain't!
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"Come What May..."
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"Come What May..."
- Joined
- May 5, 2001
- Messages
- 919
Dear Doug:
The Ankle Pocket is a little ankle holster that I invented. Thanks for asking. And then I got into knives which brings me here. Until recently, all that I knew about was my trusty USMC KA-BAR. Just sharpened it, though, for the first time ever and it's pretty sharp.
The Ankle Pocket is a little ankle holster that I invented. Thanks for asking. And then I got into knives which brings me here. Until recently, all that I knew about was my trusty USMC KA-BAR. Just sharpened it, though, for the first time ever and it's pretty sharp.
I'd be lost without mine. It definitely helps spot minor flaws that I can't see. Unfortunately, they do wear down after a while. Once it has enough nicks on it, it needs to be replaced. But that does take a while.
If you don't have the book, there's a few different ways to use it. Here's three that I use:
One is to draw the blade across the barrel of the tester while holding it at a 45 degree angle. This is a great way to see if you've carried the primary bevel all the way to the edge. If you have, the blade won't slip. It it slips, the point on the blade where it slips hasn't had the primary bevel taken all the way to the edge. This use does the most damage to the tester as it leaves "scars". I generally don't do this except on a new blade.
The second thing is to slowly pull the end of the tester over the edge of the knife (moving from spine to edge). If there is a wire edge, it will hang slightly. If the edge isn't rolled on that side of the blade, the tester just slides off. I find that using my fingernail is just as easy.
The third way is hold the tester at a 45 degree angle to the edge of the blade and slowly push the end of the tester along the edge, from grip to tip. Be sure to use a very light touch, as Crayola mentioned. This is where the tester really shines. If there is even the slightest imperfection in the edge, you will feel it. A nick is very obvious, but so is a spot that simply isn't quite as sharp as the rest of the edge. When the tester slides smoothly (feels like you're pushing it along glass), then the edge is ready for use. That concept struck me as strange. I thought that, if the edge was scary sharp, it would "bite" into the tester and it would be harder to push it. I can't explain why, but that isn't what happens. On a very sharp, polished edge, it just slides along.
Without this little tool, I'd have a very hard time keeping a consistent edge on my knives.
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Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988
AKTI Member #A000831
[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 06-05-2001).]
If you don't have the book, there's a few different ways to use it. Here's three that I use:
One is to draw the blade across the barrel of the tester while holding it at a 45 degree angle. This is a great way to see if you've carried the primary bevel all the way to the edge. If you have, the blade won't slip. It it slips, the point on the blade where it slips hasn't had the primary bevel taken all the way to the edge. This use does the most damage to the tester as it leaves "scars". I generally don't do this except on a new blade.
The second thing is to slowly pull the end of the tester over the edge of the knife (moving from spine to edge). If there is a wire edge, it will hang slightly. If the edge isn't rolled on that side of the blade, the tester just slides off. I find that using my fingernail is just as easy.
The third way is hold the tester at a 45 degree angle to the edge of the blade and slowly push the end of the tester along the edge, from grip to tip. Be sure to use a very light touch, as Crayola mentioned. This is where the tester really shines. If there is even the slightest imperfection in the edge, you will feel it. A nick is very obvious, but so is a spot that simply isn't quite as sharp as the rest of the edge. When the tester slides smoothly (feels like you're pushing it along glass), then the edge is ready for use. That concept struck me as strange. I thought that, if the edge was scary sharp, it would "bite" into the tester and it would be harder to push it. I can't explain why, but that isn't what happens. On a very sharp, polished edge, it just slides along.
Without this little tool, I'd have a very hard time keeping a consistent edge on my knives.
------------------
Knowledge without understanding is knowledge wasted.
Understanding without knowledge is a rare gift - but not an impossibility.
For the impossible is always possible through faith. - Bathroom graffiti, gas station, Grey, TN, Dec, 1988
AKTI Member #A000831
[This message has been edited by Codeman (edited 06-05-2001).]
