Sharpening Tests?

[neeman]

I like using printing paper
It is a very constant test
And you can see and hear the way the knife cuts
Shows nicks of rolls very quickly

But it does not check for burrs, that is the draging the side of the blade on the side of of the thumb nail test

 

[sinnyc]

Wish I could let you guys try my yanagi. It makes even knife nuts go 'oooooh sexy'.

Also, try cutting printing paper at an angle and make the cut have a bevel? Ill take pics when I can. I can shave ink off ads wkthout cutting through other side, takes a steady hand.

Damn! I thought you were a chef, not a surgeon

 

[Mossyhorn]

I use cigarette papers. Only a very sharp knife will slice without tearing.

 

[Egnar T Seinnhoj]

Circle test. Try to freehand a circle out of phonebook paper. Of course I always fail that test but I've seen some succeed. I think I first saw Gavko do it.

 

[Comeuppance]

I've found receipts to be pretty decent for testing sharpness. Thin stock, pretty consistent, and free with purchases. Index cards are good as well, as they are rigid and don't bend or have any folds that might give a false impression of a dull edge.

Honestly, though, the arm hair test is the one I use to gauge true razor-like sharpness. If it doesn't dig up dead skin and I can shave chosen hairs off my arm, I know it's sharp. You can tell when I'm having a hard time sharpening a knife by checking how much hair I have on my left arm. Lots of hair means I've succeeded in getting the perfect edge, very little hair means I've come close to chucking my strop out the window.

 

[gine]

I always take the blade to the back of my head. If the edge sticks to the hair it's shaving sharp. I have to do this lightly or I will get an area that is more trimmed then the rest.

 

[Cereal_killer]

I've found receipts to be pretty decent for testing sharpness. Thin stock, pretty consistent, and free with purchases. Index cards are good as well, as they are rigid and don't bend or have any folds that might give a false impression of a dull edge.

Honestly, though, the arm hair test is the one I use to gauge true razor-like sharpness. If it doesn't dig up dead skin and I can shave chosen hairs off my arm, I know it's sharp. You can tell when I'm having a hard time sharpening a knife by checking how much hair I have on my left arm. Lots of hair means I've succeeded in getting the perfect edge, very little hair means I've come close to chucking my strop out the window.

Lol I know what you mean, sometimes I run a sharpening booth at local horse/livestock shows and depending on how much work I have to do sometimes I come home with most of my left arm shaved and big hairless patches on both legs. You wouldn't believe the damage some people do to their edge and then wonder why its takin more than 2 minutes to sharpen it back up.
Surprisingly tho I've ran into old farmers and people there with their wives/daughters who arnt at all "knife people" yet that have amazing knives. Ive actually turned away several customs, a BH knife and a sebenza or two that were severely damaged.

 

[nifeluvr]

I use the paper test sometimes, but most of the time i use the armhair test, which results in a bald left arm.