Sharpness of a new knife

Ridge-Runner

Ridge-Runner

Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
858
This is not a bang or slant on anyone! I'm asking a ? for the masses. When you recieve a knife from a maker how sharp do you expect it. Sharp as you can get it? Or scary sharp, sharper than you should be able to get it.
Here is why I ask. I dont consider myself a sharpening guru. I can get one to pop off hair but not fuzz stick hair like i've seen pics of on here. But I have recieved 4 knives from 4 different makers and not a one of them would push cut notebook paper much less phonebook stuff. The ? for yall is am I expecting too much? I hope this is in the right forum, just taking a guess. Thanks for your responses before hand.
 
I think it differs between makers and or how you ask them to sharpen it. The one think with the "fuzz stick hair" sharpness is that it usually lasts a short time and then the knife is basically back to a normal sharpness pretty quick.
 
It is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine to get a knife from a maker with a so-so (or worse) sharpening job. I expect the knife to arrive ready to cut, whether it's fancy or plain.

Roger
 
RogerP said:
It is a MAJOR pet peeve of mine to get a knife from a maker with a so-so (or worse) sharpening job. I expect the knife to arrive ready to cut, whether it's fancy or plain.

Roger
Click to expand...

Agreed, 100%, Roger. They should all come "shaving" sharp.
But let's face it, every knifemaker does not have the same strengths and weaknesses. Some are great bladesmiths, some do great design and ergos, some excel at fit and finish. And some are just better at sharpening than others.
 
if a maker of custom knives cannot achieve a shaving sharpness, I would recommend very strongly that they acquire the skill to do so.

Receiving a handmade knife worth several hundred dollars which has a burr instead of an edge, or simply a dull edge, is disappointing to say the least, however I've developed skill in achieving an edge so it won't ruin my day.
 
Ridge-Runner,
Did you discuss your expectations with the makers ahead of time..?....I ask because
the type of edge you discribe is not one I would prefer on a hunter.....Why..?

First, because an edge capable of doing a good job push cutting will usually
not hold up as long dressing game, as one that's a bit more aggresive, and...
Secondly, a majority of the cuts involve a slicing motion, not pushing....
 
Ridge-Runner said:
This is not a bang or slant on anyone! I'm asking a ? for the masses. When you recieve a knife from a maker how sharp do you expect it. Sharp as you can get it? Or scary sharp, sharper than you should be able to get it.
Here is why I ask. I dont consider myself a sharpening guru. I can get one to pop off hair but not fuzz stick hair like i've seen pics of on here. But I have recieved 4 knives from 4 different makers and not a one of them would push cut notebook paper much less phonebook stuff. The ? for yall is am I expecting too much? I hope this is in the right forum, just taking a guess. Thanks for your responses before hand.
Click to expand...




ridge runner....i feel your pain.....i have recieved many knives from custom makers that weren't even close to sharp....i decided to just do it myself....i think it is a combination of problems

1)there r makers wo barely put on an edge because they fell like the knife will never get used

2) there r makers that have no idea about the right edge for a particular knife style

3) some makers r scared to mess up their pretty finish they just created and put a really obtuse angle on the edge

these r just a few of the scenarios i have run into.....i have had makers even tell me that i was wrong and that the knives were plenty sharp.....it's pretty sad but i think it is more common than u think......ryan
 
Russ Andrews said:
Ridge-Runner,
Did you discuss your expectations with the makers ahead of time..?....I ask because
the type of edge you discribe is not one I would prefer on a hunter.....Why..?

First, because an edge capable of doing a good job push cutting will usually
not hold up as long dressing game, as one that's a bit more aggresive, and...
Secondly, a majority of the cuts involve a slicing motion, not pushing....
Click to expand...

Good points Russ.

Roger
 
Russ Andrews said:
Ridge-Runner,
Did you discuss your expectations with the makers ahead of time..?....I ask because
the type of edge you discribe is not one I would prefer on a hunter.....Why..?

First, because an edge capable of doing a good job push cutting will usually
not hold up as long dressing game, as one that's a bit more aggresive, and...
Secondly, a majority of the cuts involve a slicing motion, not pushing....
Click to expand...

I agree with you as far as the field dressing, but all my blades carry a good edge, and I just feel as tho some makers dont take the time to put one on. They are too dependent on the grinder is what I beleive is happening. Or like Ryan stated they are just afraid of messing up thier finish on a knife.
 
Do you think those makers would be receptive to
some constructive feedback...?
Though we like to think we can avoid all the goofs
or oversights on our own...fact is we can't always, and
feedback is a useful part of the process....
 
ridge runner i would expect it to shave hair. certainly not whittle hair, in fact i received an endura a while back that was like a straight razor. the edge was just too sharp for my uses & i took it down a little with the fine spyderco hone. this edge was'nt a polished edge just hell for sharp. i like my blades with a sharp polished edge this one was sticky sharp---touch your skin & it cut.anyway if the factories can send them out sharp i believe the maker should send it out ready to work.
dennis
 
Russ Andrews said:
Do you think those makers would be receptive to
some constructive feedback...?
Though we like to think we can avoid all the goofs
or oversights on our own...fact is we can't always, and
feedback is a useful part of the process....
Click to expand...

You know I have sent feedback to two other makers and I dont know how it went but felt it went ok and I even bought a second knife from one of them, but this one is just off a lil bit all the way around. But that is niether here nor there. They have a huge following and I believe that thier following would be more hell bent on piking me than the maker LOL. And plus with only one of the last five knives that I have purchased have came with a decent edge. So I feel like I might be a lil on the hard to please side of things.
 
I suspect that "hard to please" may be a good thing, as it's part of
why custom knives exist...!

Anyhow...and I don't know if this is relevant...some otherwise very well made
knives have been made with overly thick edges...presumably to offset some
likelyhood of edge damage.....the result being an edge which didn't cut
as easily as it might have.
 
Have purchased quite a few custom knives and have never received one less than razor sharp. Just lucky, I guess.
 
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