It’ll shave, but not slice paper well…

[TheOne45]

Yes! Like for example, I just got this cheap chineseum() knife. It raises a giant burr way too easily, and it has this one specific spot along the edge which is always way worse than the rest of the edge no matter what I do.

Based on stuff I learned from this forum, it's either a bad heat treat or a heat treat which was ruined during the grinding process. The only thing I can do is keep sharpening it and hope to eventually reach some good steel once all the bad steel on top of it is removed.

But... it still cuts. I think I got lucky in this instance. The edge doesn't collapse immediately. I do still have to baby it though, and I especially have to pay attention to that one troublesome spot. And if anything, because it raises a burr so easily, it's good practice for burr removal.

I do have 2 such knives... one is Ausonia (52HRc) from the local store and the other is Browning 'tactical' folder (50HRc) from ebay.
I learned to sharpen on those two knives. Eventually I made them slice news print but indeed.... sharpening those two knives is a very good burr removal practice.

On the other side I have also cheap chinese knife (61HRc K110 steel) and this knife makes so small burr it's a pleasure to sharpen.

 

[TheOne45]

But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is if the knife does the job you want to use it for. Does it cut? Okay then that's good enough. You can be happy with that. It's fine.

I do agree but also don't agree if this makes sense.
Lately I enjoy in simplicity and free hand sharpening... one diamond plate and a strop and yes, the final goal is a sharp knife.
But because I enjoy in sharpening I take my time and also practice to make the bevel as simetrical and even as much as possible.
I don't use large desk stones much, just my last small DIY portable system... small diamond plate and a small strop. A sharpener in left hand and a knife in my right hand. No Outdoors55 'half thumb rule' or NeevesKnives markings on thumb and pointer finger on the other hand to help me maintain the angle.
I'm just trying to maintain the angle the best I can with my eyes and a feeling to get the best edge I can.
You know, those old woodworkers did art from wood only with simple hand tools.
Could we say deprivation encourage innovation?