How long do your hair whittling edges last?

singularity35

singularity35

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Mar 1, 2010
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Yep, I'm wondering how long do your hair whittling edges last? My edges will no longer whittle hair after cutting some paper, opening a few plastic packages, and cutting some fruit.

Do I have a wire edge or a burr that I can't feel? And oh yes, both my ZDP and S30V edges do this.
 
singularity35 said:
Yep, I'm wondering how long do your hair whittling edges last? My edges will no longer whittle hair after cutting some paper, opening a few plastic packages, and cutting some fruit.

Do I have a wire edge or a burr that I can't feel? And oh yes, both my ZDP and S30V edges do this.
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Take a look at my avatar, the edge is so small at that point any and all contact will have a effect. The reason you don't notice it at a coarser finish is because the edge is already rough.

Your hair whittling edge was probably gone after the first paper cut.
 
Not long enough. Even the smallest amount of cutting will drop the edge to hair popping, where it hovers for a long time.
Doesn't take long to bring it back. A few swipes on the UF will do it.
 
a shiny/mirror edge last for a while on some of my knives
caly zdp, Bark A2, GEC 1095 are some examples, they have a shiny non toothy convex edge

I just strop for a while to be sure no wire edge or burr remain, shiny/mirror edges hold their hair popping sharpness longer, no factory edge (Bark A2 apart) manged to do that that well

my 2 cents
Maxx
 
Depends on steel and use. I've had my Delica keep it for a week or more of light use. My M2 knife holds it for a while, but is typically used for rougher work, so it's not comparable.
 
knifenut1013 said:
Take a look at my avatar, the edge is so small at that point any and all contact will have a effect. The reason you don't notice it at a coarser finish is because the edge is already rough.

Your hair whittling edge was probably gone after the first paper cut.
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Thanks, I kinda suspected that. I thought I was doing something wrong and just thought I'd ask. The edges do remain hair splitting for a while.

Mad_Maxx said:
a shiny/mirror edge last for a while on some of my knives
caly zdp, Bark A2, GEC 1095 are some examples, they have a shiny non toothy convex edge

I just strop for a while to be sure no wire edge or burr remain, shiny/mirror edges hold their hair popping sharpness longer, no factory edge (Bark A2 apart) manged to do that that well

my 2 cents
Maxx
Click to expand...

Thanks too, I polish mine to 3000 polish tape on the edge pro.
 
the most important thing is to strop on leather to remove any burr or wire edge, a clen edge works longer and better

strop on dry smooth leather last and maybe a magazine cover ;)
see how it cuts crazily afterwards
mo matter if a case xx CV or a ZPD spydie
Maxx
 
Mad_Maxx said:
the most important thing is to strop on leather to remove any burr or wire edge, a clen edge works longer and better

strop on dry smooth leather last and maybe a magazine cover ;)
see how it cuts crazily afterwards
mo matter if a case xx CV or a ZPD spydie
Maxx
Click to expand...

I think that the 3000 polish tape is equivalent to 1 micron compound strop.
 
Why, unless you are whittling hairs regularly, do you care. How about sharp enought to cut what you need to with it. Bet that THAT edge lasts.

If you are farting around with hair whittling, use another knife for other things, as you've thinned your cutting edge so far that a piece of string will dull it by comparison.

BTW, who whittles hair?
 
jimh0220 said:
Why, unless you are whittling hairs regularly, do you care. How about sharp enought to cut what you need to with it. Bet that THAT edge lasts.

If you are farting around with hair whittling, use another knife for other things, as you've thinned your cutting edge so far that a piece of string will dull it by comparison.

BTW, who whittles hair?
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Lots of us here. Its a knife forum. Way to poop on the thread.:thumbdn:
 
For me ... pretty much what has already been said.

Polished edges just keep cutting longer ... maybe not hair popping but realistic cutting.

I've never had the mysterious blade by any maker that carves, slices, skins, chops and batons for a week and still shaves .......
 
This is nothing to split hairs over. Sorry, I couldn't stop my fingers.

I prefer a working edge, especially when I slip and it closes on my hand.
 
With all these guys talking about whittling hairs I've yet to see any decent hair carvings!
 
Sargent 666 said:
For me ... pretty much what has already been said.

Polished edges just keep cutting longer ... maybe not hair popping but realistic cutting.

I've never had the mysterious blade by any maker that carves, slices, skins, chops and batons for a week and still shaves .......
Click to expand...

Sure you have, you just didn't notice.
 
I dont' thin edges down, angles are factory
I just polish the edges, the micro serrations may chip or get damaged and the knife gets dull, a polished edge will last longer, no matter what

longer does not mean forerver, just longer than others or factory/toothy edges
Maxx
 
OK, maybe not all that, but if my $20 Kershaw and $15 peanut can cut a couple dozen feet of sheet aluminum and still shave, I'm sure you have a knife that will do quite a bit of work and still have an edge that is capable of shaving hair, even if it takes some effort.
 
Mad_Maxx said:
I dont' thin edges down, angles are factory
I just polish the edges, the micro serrations may chip or get damaged and the knife gets dull, a polished edge will last longer, no matter what

longer does not mean forerver, just longer than others or factory/toothy edges
Maxx
Click to expand...

For some specific purpose knives, a toothy edge can last longer than a polished one, but for general use on unknown, or at least unplanned, material, a polished edge lasts longer for me. Especially if there is any batoning or chopping involved.
 
A hair whittling edge will stay sharper longer than a less sharp edge - it should be able to do quite a bit of cutting before it isn't 'shaving sharp' any more. But is wont stay 'hair whittling sharp' for long if you cut paper with it - paper is abrasive! If the edge is only just 'shaving sharp' then any dulling and it wont shave but if an edge is 'hair whittling sharp' then it can lose a bit of sharpness and still shave hair or slice tomatoes or whatever.

In my experience my sharp knives are easy to keep sharp - I just strop 'em regularly. It's only a first sharpen or a repair that need any real work.
 
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