S30V--toothy or polished edge?

KBR · Feb 8, 2004

I was wondering on which edge finish would be best for S30V....a toothy edge or polished? Which would last longer if you plan on cutting fibrous materials, cardboard? What's your opinion?

Thanks in advance.

wire edge · Feb 8, 2004

My view is that S30V is weird, but great stuff. I like to hit mine with a few strokes on the med. Sharpmaker stones. Gives it a grabby edge, and it doesn't seem to lose it fast. This will really zip through food in kitchen prep as well as cardboard. For a change of pace, I stropped the crap out of a Military in S30V. The edge is now so smooth it doesn't feel sharp to the touch, but it glides through cardboard and arm hair is scared to death of it! Haven't had a chance to prepar a meal with it yet, but I have a feeling it would work better on potatoes that it would on raw beef of chicken.

I think I'll stick w/ med. stones w/ just a few licks on a fine stone to smooth it up a bit. I think this will make a long lasting, yet aggresive edge.

S30V continues to amaze me. Really comes back to life quicky w/ just a couple of stokes on a stone.

.45acp · Feb 8, 2004

KBR

I like toothy on all my "working" blades. The edge lasts longer and are easy to touch up. Shaving sharp is a good working edge on S30V. On a big chopper you may want to back off of shaving sharp alittle.

Steve

Crayola · Feb 8, 2004

On a big chopper you may want to back off of shaving sharp alittle.

Actually, on choppers intended for hard woods you want a smooth, polished edge. THis edge will last longer while chopping, and aids in penetrating wood. I believe that a slightly coarser edge is advantageous when chopping light vegetation (leafy stuff), as the coarser edge will help grab the material being cut.

Axe bevels should be shiny enough to use as a shaving mirror (and as a shaving razor too!)

alan aragon · Feb 9, 2004

try finishing your s30v with translucent arkansas. i find it takes a nice ultra-polish for general household utility.

Blop · Feb 9, 2004

Polished.

Saves the edge most.

Cliff Stamp · Feb 10, 2004

KBR :

I was wondering on which edge finish would be best for S30V....a toothy edge or polished?

You decide this based on the type of cutting, the steel has little influence.

Which would last longer if you plan on cutting fibrous materials, cardboard?

Depends on how you are doing it, if push cutting then leave the blade highly polished, if slicing then leave it fairly coarse.

-Cliff

.45acp · Feb 10, 2004

Originally posted by Crayola
Actually, on choppers intended for hard woods you want a smooth, polished edge. THis edge will last longer while chopping, and aids in penetrating wood. I believe that a slightly coarser edge is advantageous when chopping light vegetation (leafy stuff), as the coarser edge will help grab the material being cut.

Thanks Crayola, I´ll try the polished edges, much of the wood here is hardwood.

Steve

KBR · Feb 10, 2004

Thanks for your input, Cliff. I tend to do alot more slicing than push cutting, so I've decided to leave the edge somewhat coarse. I run the edge on the medium rods(corners)only, on my 204, and this leaves the edge just at the right toothy sharpness for me.