Question,,,goal

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rutcrazed

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Feb 8, 2013
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Ok, I have a question. I am getting my knives sharp. I can push cut phone book paper. I can shave my arm hair. My goal however is to cut a free hanging hair. My question is how high on the grit chart must I take a blade to? How refined must I make it? Last but not least, what would a blade width measure when it can cut a free hanging hair? I am learning thanks to all of your help.
 
Depends on what you consider freehanging ie how far away from.the fingers.your holding it.
Depends on the hair.

Below 1u for sure. Probably below 0.25u , it theres many factors here. I can do my hairs (when they are long enough) much easier than i can do my fiances hairs.
 
Thanks Sadden, That's the kind of info I am looking for. I also thought that I would like to cut free hanging toilet paper. I forgot that idea when I saw Murray Carter try it and fail. LOL. I am trying to learn what sharp really is.
 
rutcrazed said:
Ok, I have a question. I am getting my knives sharp. I can push cut phone book paper. I can shave my arm hair. My goal however is to cut a free hanging hair. My question is how high on the grit chart must I take a blade to? How refined must I make it? Last but not least, what would a blade width measure when it can cut a free hanging hair? I am learning thanks to all of your help.
Click to expand...

All hairs are going to be different, free hanging hair generally will take a pretty fine edge to part it. I have dropped one off a fine Crystalon and then steeled on soda glass bakeware. The edge overall wasn't terribly refined, but along the apex it had been worked to very narrow and clean edge - at least in enough spots to whittle and drop a free hanging hair.


Do not be misled re grit values and apex width - all edges that cut well, regardless of surface finish, will be single digit if not sub micron at the contact regions. A finer polish simply creates a more uniform edge when viewed in cross section - a greater percentage of the edge will be worked to that fine level.

In general, it takes an abrasive particle in the low single digits to fashion an edge that fine, whether by stropping, lapping film, or stone, and helps to have submicron particles - also depends on the steel. Once you start throwing burnishing into the mix, things change up a bit.
 
What is sharp? IMHO it's what works. I find all the tests we use to be quite humorous. I'm trying to think when the last time was I needed to cut a hanging hair, and toilet paper is already perforated. :D
 
I can do it off my 2k and 6k as long as the blade isn't too thick. A good 1k followed with a bit of stropping or go all out and polish that sucker to a bright mirror. There are several ways to do it but typically a more refined edge makes it easier.
 
ziggy925 said:
What is sharp? IMHO it's what works. I find all the tests we use to be quite humorous. I'm trying to think when the last time was I needed to cut a hanging hair, and toilet paper is already perforated. :D
Click to expand...

Hey Ziggy925, Now that is pretty funny. Sorry but I have always had a drive to learn. Just trying to do the best I can......LOL
 
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