Razor sharp blades

[Quiet Storm]

Do you want all of your knives to be shaving sharp?

I want my smaller knives to shave easily, but somehow I´m not sure whether a big, thick "hard use" blade should be able to shave - for the sake of edge durability and preventing the edge from chipping (the sharper the thinner).

Of course I don´t want a dull blade, but I feel that if a big blade scrapes off some hair when repeatedly pull it over your arm or leg it might be sufficient, if not ideal: it´s reasonably sharp, yet strong.

What do you think?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Quiet Storm :

Do you want all of your knives to be shaving sharp?

Ideally, how close I come to the optimal edge depends on the mood I am in, how my skills are that day, and how much of an effect on cutting ability the sharpness has in that particular knife which depends on what it is getting used for.

I´m not sure whether a big, thick "hard use" blade should be able to shave - for the sake of edge durability and preventing the edge from chipping

This is one of the common knife myths.

the sharper the thinner

Assuming that you are actually going to have the edge bevels meet at whatever angle you chose to sharpen, then the more durable edge in regards to impacts is one where the polish is high, and thus the shaving ability is great.

When an edge can't shave well, the majority of the time it is because it isn't aligned. Consider why would you expect an edge that is already bent and deformed to be more durable that one which isn't?

In regards to wear and slicing aggression then optimal performance comes with very low grit edges, but even these will shave easily if aligned, which is a matter basically of burr removal, or prevention in the first place.


-Cliff