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razor sharp or not?

B

blade_lover228

Joined
Jul 11, 2008
Messages
62
i have heard from a few people that u should not keep your knife for chopping razor sharp, as it will wreak havoc on the edge. i thought i would ask all u smart fellas first before i made an ininformed choice. so razor sharp or not? whatever your pick please give your reasons. and yes i do have a smaller knife for fine cutting that i keep razor sharp.
 
If you have a cutting tool of any kind I see no reason not to keep it as sharp as you're able to get it. That said, I'll give my reasoning behind it. Razor sharp, and razor shaped are two different things.
A 40 degree inclusive angle can be, to most people, razor sharp and still maintain durability. Naturally, how long it will hold that edge depends on a lot of things; steel, heat treat, grind, etc.
A good tool steel, well treated, with a convex grind should have no trouble chopping and maintaining it's edge. After all the above basically describes most axes.
I'd suggest finding a good compromise for your edges based on what you expect to chop. Clean, knot free, softwoods won't bother an acute edge but dirty/sandy, knotted, hardwoods would wreak havoc on a fine edge. As with any other cutting tool, you just have to adjust your grind and angles to what you intend on using them for. That's my two cents on the matter. Not the end of the matter I'm sure though.

P.S. For a strictly chopping tool I'd also go with a polished/mirror smooth finish. It will reduce the chances of chipping out and toothy/micro serrated edges serve no benefit for chopping. Again, just my opinion.


Gautier
 
I think it depends on the grind of the knife. If its convex I'd keep it razor sharp as its a stronger edge IMO. I got to use a machete for some heavy chopping last week and I found it did the job really well when the edge was really sharp. It was convexed.
My Koyote chopper (convexed and razor sharp) at 1/8 thick suprized some folks with its chopping ability also.
 
what do you mean razor sharp? even an axe should be hair popping sharp. maybe you mean how thin the edge is? If the knife is made of decent carbon steel, it should take a pretty thin edge with no damage.
 
ack i think that unspecific terminology motivates many people to leave their choppers dull when they would do so much better razor sharp.

i sharpen everything until it will shave and slice freehanging newsprint, as well as whittle hairs and cut water bottles in half etc. that includes axes, machetes, kukris and any other big blade.

the difference between a large blade and a small blade is the included sharpening angle. a large blade does better with a wider angle, because there is more metal behind the edge so it is stronger and more stable. a small knife should have a small included sharpening angle. there can also be a difference between the thickness of the edge at the bevel, but assuming that those are the same and the angle is changed, there should be no problems with durability or sharpeness.

if you start with a razor and work it until it is dull, your edge will be sharper than if you start dull and work it until it is duller. its always better to start with a sharp edge, it makes life so much easier.

there is the finish grit matter, but in my opinion as long as the edge is thin enough and the burr is removed, then you will have a good cutting razor sharp edge that should be very stable. i finish everywhere from a 120 grit finish up to 9 micron finish and have no problems with edge durability as long as the burr is removed. with the burr in place the edge can degrade quickly meaning that it will be dull almost instantly.

so basically, a razor sharp edge is good all the time in my opinion.

hope this helps
 
Is that so, Bear? Heading for the canyon I take it? Feel free to stop by BHC on your way, I'll buy ya a beer.


Gautier
 
thanks for all the help guys. with the vote being unanimous for a razor sharp edge i cant really go wrong. now that i think on it, i agree with siguy wen he says "if you start with a razor and work it until it is dull, your edge will be sharper than if you start dull and work it until it is duller."
 
My user status prevents PMing apparently, I'll shoot ya an e-mail though so as not to further sidetrack the thread.


Gautier
 
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