How sharp is sharp?

TripleF100

TripleF100

Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
195
Maybe this sounds stupid! I admit I'm fairly new to this forum and I'm a complete failure at freehand sharpening. I use my Sharpmaker exclusively and it seems to do . . . well . . . okay. I do strop with green compound.

Recently, I decided to spend a lot of time on one knife and try and get it REALLY sharp. I keep hearing about a mirror polished edge and see plenty of pictures of the work some of you guys do. I was never able to achieve that degree of smoothness but I did get my knife pretty sharp!

But here is the deal . . . cutting stuff in my normal, everyday life I believe my knife actually cuts better if the edge is a little more ragged. Does this make sense??

Would spending the time (and money in my case!) to achieve that mirror edge make my knife sharper? Make it really cut better?
 
Yes for push cuts, no for draw cuts. You'll get better performance by learning to sharpen better.
 
You won't get a mirror polished edge with a SM. It does do a good job for what it's supposed to do....maintaining a sharp edge.
 
Nfd538 said:
You won't get a mirror polished edge with a SM. It does do a good job for what it's supposed to do....maintaining a sharp edge.
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I wasn't very clear. I didn't really expect a mirror edge with the SM . . . but I have been considering spending the money to get a guided sharpner (thinking KME).

Honestly I'm sure the SM is "good enough" for anything I ever really need a knife for, but for some reason I just want a really, really sharp knife! Not rational but emotional!! Hahaha!
 
First mistake of a new sharpener? thinking a new tool will solve sharpening issues.
 
Jason B. said:
First mistake of a new sharpener? thinking a new tool will solve sharpening issues.
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Hahaha!!! You're right! A new tool is always the answer! Not really a new sharpener though. I'm 66 years old and have been dulling knives virtually my whole life!!! After literally years of free hand sharpening efforts (books, videos, advice . . . ) I've just plain given up. Maybe if someone was there with me to assist and coach I could get it but I've never found that person. And I'm just plain sick and tired of ok sharpe knives. Finally the SM allowed me to sharpen fairly well . . . but I still not super sharp!!

Oh well . . . you didn't want that whole sad story . . .
 
Sharp is a 0.020" edge shoulder at below 15 per side.

Mirror finished edges are apparently truly outstanding for self-esteem (and popping hair with that "jumping" feel to it), but could get you killed when you really need to cut fast on most materials.

Gaston
 
Gaston444 said:
Mirror finished edges are apparently truly outstanding for self-esteem (and popping hair with that "jumping" feel to it), but could get you killed when you really need to cut fast on most materials.

Gaston
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Please divulge how a sharp polished knife could get anyone killed from cutting any material.
 
DeadboxHero said:
Share your techniques with the Sharpmaker.
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Let's assume I'm working on a really bad blade (like I am right now!!)

Once I get a blade profiled to 40° (using a Sharpie to be sure I'm sharpening to the edge and I get a burr) using a 120 grit Congress rod. I then move a 400 grit Congress rod until I get another burr. Then, the medium SM rod, then the fine, then the ultra fine. Use less and less pressure as I move to finer and finer rods. After all this I strop using green compound.

During the more course stones I stay on one side and use an up and down stroke until I get a consistent burr.
 
Gaston444 said:
Sharp is a 0.020" edge shoulder at below 15 per side.

Mirror finished edges are apparently truly outstanding for self-esteem (and popping hair with that "jumping" feel to it), but could get you killed when you really need to cut fast on most materials.

Gaston
Click to expand...

My original comment was that somehow my knifes usually feel sharper if the edge feels a little rough when cutting the fine paper.
 
TripleF100 said:
Let's assume I'm working on a really bad blade (like I am right now!!)

Once I get a blade profiled to 40° (using a Sharpie to be sure I'm sharpening to the edge and I get a burr) using a 120 grit Congress rod. I then move a 400 grit Congress rod until I get another burr. Then, the medium SM rod, then the fine, then the ultra fine. Use less and less pressure as I move to finer and finer rods. After all this I strop using green compound.

During the more course stones I stay on one side and use an up and down stroke until I get a consistent burr.
Click to expand...

Nice set up, how much pressure are you using on the uf and strop?
 
TripleF100 said:
Let's assume I'm working on a really bad blade (like I am right now!!)

Once I get a blade profiled to 40° (using a Sharpie to be sure I'm sharpening to the edge and I get a burr) using a 120 grit Congress rod. I then move a 400 grit Congress rod until I get another burr. Then, the medium SM rod, then the fine, then the ultra fine. Use less and less pressure as I move to finer and finer rods. After all this I strop using green compound.

During the more course stones I stay on one side and use an up and down stroke until I get a consistent burr.
Click to expand...

Ok. What knife/steel? Have you tried sharpening at 30* inclusive?
 
DeadboxHero said:
Nice set up, how much pressure are you using on the uf and strop?
Click to expand...

By the time I get to the ultra fine rod my pressure is very light. The strop is even lighter. I've wondered if I should only use essentially the weight of the blade with the strop . . . but I do use just a tad more. Hard to describe . . . but very light pressure.
 
TripleF100 said:
By the time I get to the ultra fine rod my pressure is very light. The strop is even lighter. I've wondered if I should only use essentially the weight of the blade with the strop . . . but I do use just a tad more. Hard to describe . . . but very light pressure.
Click to expand...

Good stuff, what's your edge performance at?
Poppin' hair?
 
Skimo said:
Yes for push cuts, no for draw cuts. You'll get better performance by learning to sharpen better.
Click to expand...

This ^

Becoming more proficient with finer hones and having a handful to work with and push yourself to improve, will make all your edges better quality. The margin of error shrinks as the abrasive becomes smaller, so it pushes your technique.

It won't make the edge perform any better from an EDU perspective unless your normal use is carving, chopping or shaving.
 
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