Razor Systems Edge Tester: how it works

D

daberti

Joined
Apr 2, 2005
Messages
496
I'm pretty curious about this tool. Had anybody here used it? How it works?
How does it tell you the sharpness? Has it a sharpness value scale?

TIA
 
You can accomplish the same with an old-style Bic Pen (or your fingernail for that matter).

All it proves is that the edge is sharp enough to bite into hard plastic that is held at a 45 degree angle, and that it is smooth enough not to have any nicks down the length of the edge.

You don't need a special gadget to tell if an edge is sharp.
 
It has the same basic method as checking with the thumbnail, you can also use a plastic pen, or any similar rod. I don't feel that such methods have much value and can at best tell you if a knife isn't blunt. Cutting light neswprint in a few methods (slice/push) is much more informative and easy to quantify.

-Cliff
 
One of things that the edge tester is good for is feeling imperfections in your edge. You use one of the funky looking corners at the end of the tool to "feel" the edge. This tool is so sensitive that you can feel a peice of dust (well almost). Also, while performing the same test, you can feel for the edge cutting into or gliding over the tester. If your edge is OK it will glide, if it's really sharp it will bite and cut, if it's super crazy sharp it will glide over the edge as if it's not even there. *Note - These statements are for polished edges.

I've used edge testers for the last 6+ years to advance my sharpening skills. My greatest leaps have been in the last 1.5 years and I credit the edge tester with helping me along the way.

Just my $.02...

--Dave--
 
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