On Convex

jared76

jared76

Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
51
ive never had a convex knife with a polished edge, but ive seen alot of folks say that an edge like that doesnt draw cut as well as a toothy edge. is it really way better to have a polished convex edge for push cutting , alot of the time if i need to cut some cord i might prefer to pinch it between the blade and something hard, so would the convex serve me well on things like that?
 
we know a saw will draw cut better than a fine edged bowie, so i'll buy it.

push cutting's all about being thin. convex, hollow, or flat, thin is the key. look at the sak and mora.
 
push cuts favor a polished edge (think wood carving). Most carvers keep a strop handy and keep their edges well-polished.


Lately I have become more drawn to the polished toothy edge. That is, an edge put on at a medium grit, and then well-stropped until those teeth are polished. Make sense?

This is best done with a leather strop - rough side out - loaded with fine but aggressive honing compound.

Dan
 
Now...to the matter of whether a convex edge is best polished or "polished toothy"....

Depends on application.

If it's a kukri - intend almost entirely for chopping, then yes, a polished convex edge is ideal.

If it's an EDC fixed blade...a slight convex microbevel will better serve you (regardless of polish) than a wide convex bevel.


I don't cut a lot of rope on a daily basis....but I do cut a lot of paper and cardboard. So, it's polished-toothy for me.

If I was only cutting paper and/or fleshy objects (kitchen, etc) I would definitely appreciate a thin convex edge.

Dan
 
that sums it up pretty well, i think i would be better off with a slightly toothy edge for my purposes, the edge you put on my boker seems to do the job pretty well, thanks.

i just got in a load of belts for my 1x30 and i immediately started playing around with them i was able to get quite an edge, but, as you said a smooth polished edge doesnt draw cut very well, but its a cool thing to play with although i think the 500 grit, probably even the 320x will put a plenty fine edge on,for me at least....i got the 1200x belt and its pretty much just for shining up it seems
 
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