I've been making knives for a couple years now, and I like to carry around the latest prototype and use it for a while to make sure it does what I want it to. Most recently, I used a small fixed-blade to whittle a splint for a friend's kid's bunged-up wrist -- long story...
Last night, in my dream, I reached for my latest knife, the one that has effortlessly whittled, cut, shaved and still, after a month of good use, hasn't needed stropping, honing or sharpening.
My hand closed on the handle of the knife, but it wasn't the handle, it was the blade! I knew enough not to jerk my hand back, so I froze and slowly opened my fist. I expected to have deep cuts on my fingers or palm, but none were there.
I pulled out the knife and looked at the edge. Then I checked the edge with my thumbnail. Then I ran my finger along the edge. Then I pressed my thumb hard right down on the edge.
It was dull. Dull like a spoon dull. I could SEE the rounded over "cutting" edge! My amazing whittler! My fantastic example of what a carbon steel blade can be had been transformed into the equivalent of a worn out Wal-Mart crap-metal butter knife!
AAARGH!
Then I woke up and it was all better.
Last night, in my dream, I reached for my latest knife, the one that has effortlessly whittled, cut, shaved and still, after a month of good use, hasn't needed stropping, honing or sharpening.
My hand closed on the handle of the knife, but it wasn't the handle, it was the blade! I knew enough not to jerk my hand back, so I froze and slowly opened my fist. I expected to have deep cuts on my fingers or palm, but none were there.
I pulled out the knife and looked at the edge. Then I checked the edge with my thumbnail. Then I ran my finger along the edge. Then I pressed my thumb hard right down on the edge.
It was dull. Dull like a spoon dull. I could SEE the rounded over "cutting" edge! My amazing whittler! My fantastic example of what a carbon steel blade can be had been transformed into the equivalent of a worn out Wal-Mart crap-metal butter knife!
AAARGH!
Then I woke up and it was all better.
