I recently acquired a new fillet knife set by Knives of Alaska. The smaller Steelhead model and the larger Coho model in 440C, in a combination nylon sheath.
This past Wednesday, I dug it out the smaller one to use it for the first time. The handle, blade shape, etc. is right on. It was very slightly flexible. Although I prefer a more flexible fillet blade, it was adequate. When I started to use it, though, it would barely cut, and I discovered the edge was very dull. After a session on a course diamond hone, a fine diamond, and ceramic, it was up to adequate sharpness to do the job, although I was in a hurry and am going to have to work on it some more. Once sharpened. it held it's edge well.
Upon examination, I found the larger blade to be acceptably sharp. The only explanation I can think of is that the small one somehow escaped the final sharpening process, and eluded any quality control.
Another moral of this story is that I should have examined the edges long before needing to use them. Live and learn.
This past Wednesday, I dug it out the smaller one to use it for the first time. The handle, blade shape, etc. is right on. It was very slightly flexible. Although I prefer a more flexible fillet blade, it was adequate. When I started to use it, though, it would barely cut, and I discovered the edge was very dull. After a session on a course diamond hone, a fine diamond, and ceramic, it was up to adequate sharpness to do the job, although I was in a hurry and am going to have to work on it some more. Once sharpened. it held it's edge well.
Upon examination, I found the larger blade to be acceptably sharp. The only explanation I can think of is that the small one somehow escaped the final sharpening process, and eluded any quality control.
Another moral of this story is that I should have examined the edges long before needing to use them. Live and learn.