Paper cut test

[Sharpnessis]

Just watched you video. Thank you for sharing your expertise with the world. I didn't realize it was similar to cutting rope, I mean it's only paper, right. I've never stopped the way you did so I'll give it a go. Thanks

Ok. I just cut phone book paper against the grain. However, instead of slicing from the edge of the paper, I stabbed into the paper and sliced right through without a hitch. Does this still count? I hope so. I worked for quite a while trying to get the edge perfect.

 

[BluntCut MetalWorks]

Ok. I just cut phone book paper against the grain. However, instead of slicing from the edge of the paper, I stabbed into the paper and sliced right through without a hitch. Does this still count? I hope so. I worked for quite a while trying to get the edge perfect.

Your Delica knife is plenty sharp however its edge is not burr-free. You happened to pick VG-10, which is among the most difficult steels to produce a clean edge for cross-grain phonebook or newsprint cutting. Once you pass this test with different steels, then retry vg-10.

I relied on dmt e & ee to clean my vg-10 edge, yes use fold->edge-lead method. A clean edge off dmt ee should cross-grain slice phonebook/newsprint paper. For push cutting, I usually need to use 1 micron diamond stone (home made for supporting edge-leading stroke). Or strop on what I called 'balanced strop' after dmt ee.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Ok. I just cut phone book paper against the grain. However, instead of slicing from the edge of the paper, I stabbed into the paper and sliced right through without a hitch. Does this still count? I hope so. I worked for quite a while trying to get the edge perfect.

VG-10 is one of those steels that will continue to get sharper and sharper, IF you're patient. It does have a stubborn tendency to form burrs and wire edges, and most of that comes from pressure exerted against the edge bevels. So, in order to minimize the burrs/wires, one needs to go slow and light with it, as the edge becomes finer. The steel is very capable of forming an edge that'll slice or push-cut any which way, but you need to be patient with it.

The 'best' test with phonebook paper, as far as I'm concerned, is to SLOWLY draw-cut (slice) from heel-to-tip into the edge of the paper. If the edge is very well-formed and clean, it should cut easily in any direction, along the full length of the cutting edge. Even better if you can also make the tip pierce the paper in a SLOW fashion (as opposed to stabbing aggressively into it).


David

 

[Sharpnessis]

Thanks bluntcut and obsessed with edges, you guys are awesome! I just ordered all 4 compounds from stropman. Should be here soon. I also found a local leather mill that makes vegetable tan leather! I was stoked to find them. I got the edge the best I could up to 3000, once again, and I hope this stropping compound will make the difference.

 

[sumtinfancy]

Thanks bluntcut and obsessed with edges, you guys are awesome! I just ordered all 4 compounds from stropman. Should be here soon. I also found a local leather mill that makes vegetable tan leather! I was stoked to find them. I got the edge the best I could up to 3000, once again, and I hope this stropping compound will make the difference.

Did you have any success with the compounds? Have you managed to nail that phone pack across the grain yet?

I tried today,and like you I've managed to get a shaving sharp edge that will cleanly and easily slice the paper downward but I can't manage to get it to slice the other way.

 

[ainokea]

I just finished sharpening my delica. Went up to 3000, checked the edge with a loupe, stopped with green compound on leather, checked edge again with loupe. No burr, no wire edge.
First test.... Shave hair=no problem. Second test.... Cut phone book paper =no problem, third test... Fold paper in half and filet paper=no problem. Then I turned the paper width wise to try again and it just ripped the phone book paper! It has happened to me before. Paper cuts fine holding the paper one way (say length wise) then turn the paper on its side (say width wise) and it won't cut.
I don't get it. Does this happen to anyone else?

Yes! & Yes! & Yes again.