Letter Opener Questions

[elkhills]

Found this little guy in Chinatown this weekend and I'm thinking it might make a fine little letter opener It seems awful sharp for that though, the only proper letter opener I can remember handling was a little souvenir that was just as dull as could be. So my first question is how sharp should a letter opener be? Are you "slicing" the paper or pulling it taught and "tearing" it open? For that matter are you tackling the long "top" or the shorter "end" of the envelope? And if I do need to dull this blade up do you guys have any tips on how best to do it?

 

[Fancier]

I think that letter openers that are sold as such are dull simply so that they can't be considered knives. By preference I open letters with long thin razor sharp knives. Admittedly, if I used a duller letter opener I might not damage the envelopes as much, and I could also open letters more slowly and carefully but that just isn't my style. Personally I open the long edges, although I have learned to forgive those that open the short edges of envelopes.
Dull is easy. Drag the edge across a whet stone as if you are trying to slice the stone in two. Instant dull.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

There really aren't any rules about how sharp a letter opener should be.
The P.P. has said that dull helps it not be considered a knife. But I prefer the term.
Desk Knife! and I make them as sharp as the customer wants..

If you want to dull any knife? Edge down and back and forth on some 220 grit paper will do that. The sidewalk curb if you are in a hurry. lol