**Sharpening** -- Polished edge vs... (other)

M

mmtmatrix

Joined
May 15, 2000
Messages
353
Hello,
Ever sense I got my 204 I have enjoyed really nice sharp knives and I love the system, its great!!!

I was wondering though, I get what I would call, a polished (almost a mirror edge) on the fine/white stones of my 204. Is this edge less durable than another edge (say the one that comes on a new knife and its been sharpened on a grinder {there are the lines on the edge])??? If a less polished edge does hold up better than a mirror edge, how is this coarser edge attainable (and still being sharp link knives from the factory)???

I hope that is not too confusing, I seen to be having a hard time working this question. Again -- Sorry for all the questions, I still have a lot to learn, but I have learned so much so far from BF.com!!! Thanks guy, and I appreciate the help.

mmtmatrix
 
I don't think a polished edge is less durable; that's what I usually end up with after finish honing on a fine DMT diamond and then stropping. Depends what you're cutting, I suppose; my wood chisels all have polished edges and perform beautifully. A less polished, more 'serrated' edge such as you'd achieve with a file or a coarse belt might be better for cutting fibrous material.
 
A polished edge is generally durable, but it may not be as effective at slicing through some material. A rougher sharpened edge is a little like having a serrated blade. A serrated blade will saw/slice through some material more effectively than a smooth edge particularly if the edge is a little on the thick side. The serrated blade will start with an advantage for sawing through these materials and that advantage will be even more apparent with a little wear on the edge.

The tips of the serrations are likely to see more conspicuous and deeper wear than the smooth edge. In a sense the serrated blade is less durable than the smooth blade, but its cutting effectiveness lasts longer.

If I have a blade that is a bit thick or that is going to be used to slice tough material I may give it a rougher edge than given by my extra-fine white ceramic sharpening rods. That's one of the reasons why I also have medium-fine and medium grade honing rods. With ordinary alloys that are around 58 RC I will just use my medium-fine grey rods for a few finishing strokes to add a little "tooth" to my edges. If I'm using a harder alloy I use my medium-fine diamond hone to achieve the same effect.
 
Polished edges are more durable.

You can get a rougher edge by only using the grey stones with your kit. If you want a polished edge, go to the white stones.

P.S., it is easy to ask questions liek this here! Remember, we are all knife knuts, so we think about these things all of the time! You could have posted a one word question and we'd know what you were wanting!

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"Come What May..."
 
I think that rougher edges are more durable. However, "durable" could probably be a relative term depending on what, and how, you cut.

Here's a good thread from last year that discusses polished edges:
www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum32/HTML/003488.html

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Cerulean

"The hairy-armed person who figured out how to put an edge on a suitable rock made it possible for us to be recognizably human in the first place." - J.K.M.
 
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