SAK and edge Retention

[bdws1975]

Well, I just finished prepping 7 lbs of eye of round and 30 jalepenos for green chili and beans for dinner tonight.

I used my SAK pioneer settler, that I always keep super sharp.

I have to say, I am REALLY impressed with how it performed. it cut through the round like a light saber, sliced up all the peppers and was still pretty sharp when i got done.

here's the coolest part: I washed it off in the sink wtih hot water and soap and then decided to see how sharp it still was. i tried to shave my arm to little success, but could tell it was still sharp. I then stropped it for 10 strokes. I tried to shave and hairs flew off my arm in rapid succession.

I am seriously impressed with this little sak and plan to run it through some more food prep. I have a new sense of appreciation for this 18.00 stainless steel knife.

Thanks and take care,
brett

 

[jackknife]

Hey brett, same factors here as the douk-douk. With the moderate steels it doesn't have to be hair shaving sharp to work great. Thats why I don't strop my Wenger SI or Vic cadet or my Opinels anymore. A utility edge right off a stone is good enough.:thumbup:

 

[mp510]

Hey brett, same factors here as the douk-douk. With the moderate steels it doesn't have to be hair shaving sharp to work great. Thats why I don't strop my Wenger SI or Vic cadet or my Opinels anymore. A utility edge right off a stone is good enough.:thumbup:

I agree- I have found that my Wenger SI will hold a good working edge for a long time, as would my previous Vic Spartan EDC. Coming off the sharpner, they take a wicked edge. It did need a good sharpening before I could use it- the factory Wenger edge sucked- only slightly better than an 'ye olde' style Okapi.

I have an Opinel that I bought used on eBay- it was TSA confiscation knife (say what you will- provided that knife with a nice home), that had clearly been a good worker in its past life. The edge was clearly factory, and was still an excellent working edge. I carry this knife sometimes, and use it around the home and field a bit as well, and I still have not yet found the edge to require sharpening. Not as good as a new Opinel, but still much better than many knives out of the box.

 

[bdws1975]

I agree- I have found that my Wenger SI will hold a good working edge for a long time, as would my previous Vic Spartan EDC. Coming off the sharpner, they take a wicked edge. It did need a good sharpening before I could use it- the factory Wenger edge sucked- only slightly better than an 'ye olde' style Okapi.

I have an Opinel that I bought used on eBay- it was TSA confiscation knife (say what you will- provided that knife with a nice home), that had clearly been a good worker in its past life. The edge was clearly factory, and was still an excellent working edge. I carry this knife sometimes, and use it around the home and field a bit as well, and I still have not yet found the edge to require sharpening. Not as good as a new Opinel, but still much better than many knives out of the box.

Yeah, I think it's so easy to get caught up in 'shaving' and 'scary' sharp and lose sight of the fact that as long as the edge will cut without much resistance it's a good edge.

My mind is definitely changing on some issues and feel I am beginning to be less a knife knut and more a knife user. it's an interesting shift but the traditionals are to blame.

Take care,
brett

 

[jackknife]

My mind is definitely changing on some issues and feel I am beginning to be less a knife knut and more a knife user. it's an interesting shift but the traditionals are to blame.

Take care,
brett

Think of it as growing in another direction.:thumbup:

As far as getting cought up in hype; Musashi once over heard a couple of young samuri arguing over what sword smith made the best blade that would let a man be victorious in a fight. Musashi told them the best sword in the world will do them no good if they faced a better swordsman because it was the man who made the difference. He further maddened them by saying that a superior skilled man could use a woodn training sword and still win. One of the young samuri then challenged Musashi to a dual with Musashi using a wooden sword. Musashi agreed and in less than a minute killed the arragant young samuri.

I guess it could be said, Musashi was a sword user, not a sword knut.

 

[bdws1975]

Think of it as growing in another direction.:thumbup:

That's a good way to look at it.

Thanks JK!

brett

 

[Will Power]

Yes, it shows that traditionals are solid users and not museum relics/dinosaurs or lonely safe-queens

My SAK Pioneer has a nasty bite on it if not handled properly

 

[ElCuchillo]

Yes, Musashi personified functionality over idolization. His swords were of the generic kind, unlike his contemporaries who gave their swords idol worship, personalities, and even names (his nemesis, Ganryu Kojiro, named his three foot long sword the "Drying Pole", and the name itself sent chills up samurai spines), but Musashi would have non of it. As a matter of fact, of his 60 some-odd duels he fought during his lifetime, most of them were fought using his wooden sword, usually against live blades, spears, halberds, and ball-and-chain sycles (Kusari-fundo). Definitely a knife user rather then a nut.