sharpness test

[Obsessed with Edges]

An edge that requires re-honing after cutting paper is essentially useless anyway. A sharp edge isn't worth much, if it can't stand up to that. Paper shouldn't degrade a sharp edge at all, if it's been properly apexed and deburred. Same is true for cutting into most woods as well - if the edge fails after doing that, odds are the apex hasn't been deburred completely.

Work on deburring technique. And verify it by testing the durability of the sharp apex, after it's made several cuts through paper at least. And better yet, after it's made several cuts in wood.

 

[Mister Coffee]

I'm curious how you guys test how sharp your blade is.

I have a cardboard cutout with a picture of my ex-wife on it . . . . um, never mind.

 

[000Robert]

An edge that requires re-honing after cutting paper is essentially useless anyway. A sharp edge isn't worth much, if it can't stand up to that. Paper shouldn't degrade a sharp edge at all, if it's been properly apexed and deburred. Same is true for cutting into most woods as well - if the edge fails after doing that, odds are the apex hasn't been deburred completely.

Work on deburring technique. And verify it by testing the durability of the sharp apex, after it's made several cuts through paper at least. And better yet, after it's made several cuts in wood.

I forgot to mention that my 2" HD Poly/Nylon webbing is good for removing burrs also.

 

[nevertakeadayoff]

unwisefool,

I understand how you may perceive me as such. I am enjoying the replies, especially the offensive or negative ones. But I assure you, I am genuine.

000Robert,

That contraption is cool! Although, I do get the feeling you know someone who has died in a burning vehicle.

Obsessed with Edges,

When a barber shaves with a strait razor, he frequently hones with a leather strop to maintain the edge. Nonetheless, I do need to work on deburring techniques! Thanks : )

 

[rm41400]

I tested mine by doing my own appendectomy just the other day. Other than the sepsis and bleeding, I feel great.

More importantly. Sounds like your knife is good and sharp

 

[Revival29]

This handy little RazorEdge Edge Tester is safer and more reliable than a finger nail, and only US$10 plus shipping: https://shop.razoredgesystems.com/products/edge-tester

I have one of those things and I totally forgot what it was for. When I use my nail, it’s to see if the blade sticks or slides on the nail. With that tool, you run it along the edge to check for imperfections right?

 

[eKretz]

Pics or it didn't happen! Heh.

 

[000Robert]

unwisefool,

I understand how you may perceive me as such. I am enjoying the replies, especially the offensive or negative ones. But I assure you, I am genuine.

000Robert,

That contraption is cool! Although, I do get the feeling you know someone who has died in a burning vehicle.

Obsessed with Edges,

When a barber shaves with a strait razor, he frequently hones with a leather strop to maintain the edge. Nonetheless, I do need to work on deburring techniques! Thanks : )

Nope, I don't know anybody personally that have died that way. I have stopped to render aid a few times when someone has wiped out, but never had to cut a seatbelt. But I've heard of people needing their seatbelts cut after an accident. And if the person trying to rescue someone had a dull knife that couldn't cut the seatbelt, it would surely be a pretty sickening feeling.

 

[000Robert]

unwisefool,

I understand how you may perceive me as such. I am enjoying the replies, especially the offensive or negative ones. But I assure you, I am genuine.

000Robert,

That contraption is cool! Although, I do get the feeling you know someone who has died in a burning vehicle.

Obsessed with Edges,

When a barber shaves with a strait razor, he frequently hones with a leather strop to maintain the edge. Nonetheless, I do need to work on deburring techniques! Thanks : )

Normally after I sharpen a blade with my Wicked Edge 130, I'll slowly cut a piece of the 2" HD Poly webbing to remove any burrs that may be left on the edge.

 

[nevertakeadayoff]

Pics or it didn't happen! Heh.

LOL don't encourage me!

000Robert,

Maybe this is common... I thought of this when I saw a collision a couple weeks ago. Now I'm pretty sure I've thought about cutting a seat belt ever since I had a knife hahah.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

unwisefool,

I understand how you may perceive me as such. I am enjoying the replies, especially the offensive or negative ones. But I assure you, I am genuine.

000Robert,

That contraption is cool! Although, I do get the feeling you know someone who has died in a burning vehicle.

Obsessed with Edges,

When a barber shaves with a strait razor, he frequently hones with a leather strop to maintain the edge. Nonetheless, I do need to work on deburring techniques! Thanks : )

A barber's razor is usually around 15° inclusive (7.5° per side) at the edge. So, as used exclusively for shaving, the razor does well with an apex that's nearly as fragile as a burr on many knives. Hence the need to strop it after every use, to keep the edge aligned straight. But it'd be too fragile for much else, and not much use for EDC purposes.

At the typical 30°-40° inclusive angles on most EDC knives, they can still shave with a crisp and properly deburred apex, and also after cutting paper with it, as long as the burr isn't what's doing the actual shaving. That's one of the most reliable tests for true, useful and durable sharpness, in seeing if the shaving sharpness remains after cutting some materials with it. If it goes away after cutting paper, that's a sign the burr is doing the shaving and is folding or otherwise degrading after cutting other materials.

 

[Another Shepherd]

I have one of those things and I totally forgot what it was for. When I use my nail, it’s to see if the blade sticks or slides on the nail. With that tool, you run it along the edge to check for imperfections right?

You can do both of those things with the RazorEdge tester. Hold it at a 45 degree angle and see if the blade sticks or slides, and also run it along the entire edge to check for dings or rough spots.

 

[3D Anvil]

You can do both of those things with the RazorEdge tester. Hold it at a 45 degree angle and see if the blade sticks or slides, and also run it along the entire edge to check for dings or rough spots.

I bought one of those things. In my opinion it's a waste of money. You can do the same thing with a bic pen. Only $10 though, so....

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I bought one of those things. In my opinion it's a waste of money. You can do the same thing with a bic pen. Only $10 though, so....

Can also do the same with a thumbnail/fingernail. The stick/slip test on the face of the nail, and use the edge of the nail to check for dents/dings & other irregularities on the apex. I use my thumbnail this way for both checks - been doing it that way for years now.

 

[nevertakeadayoff]

Negative ghost rider…your knife should leave a clean hairless patch, not scars. I usually pull up my pant leg and test for sharpnesses there…it’s better than having a bunch of bald patches on my left forearm.

This looks worse than the cuts on my arm. But I agree that it is a great way to determine sharpness... when it glides through and the hairs fly off as they're cut.

3D Anvil, Obsessed with Edges,

Careful guys, the ladies here who are afraid of a few paper cuts are going to banish you to a mental institution for cutting your nails like that!

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

This looks worse than the cuts on my arm. But I agree that it is a great way to determine sharpness... when it glides through and the hairs fly off as they're cut.

3D Anvil, Obsessed with Edges,

Careful guys, the ladies here who are afraid of a few paper cuts are going to banish you to a mental institution for cutting your nails like that!

I stopped worrying about the looks of my nails (& fingers & hands) a looonnng time ago - they're a lost cause in that regard. I think if I were to be banished for such insanity as nicking my nails to test an edge, I'd have to wait in line at the entrance to the asylum with several thousands of others just like me. Some nicks and cuts and a little incidental, accidental blood-letting are all part of the learning curve, and the most direct & obvious way to figure out if what we're doing is working.

 

[nevertakeadayoff]

I did a day camp today. Built a fire. Used my mini Emissary to make wood shavings (pretty hard wood, too, could have killed someone with the needle tip of the stick). I am so thrilled that is still cuts hair on my arm!

I know, you're all wondering if it cuts my arm still. Yes, but not nearly as well. I have to move it like ~4mm to get some pain and it's not as good of a cut.

Satisfied! Very much so looking forward to a new Benchmade with S90V! (Emissary is S30V)

Success!

 

[Terry M.]

Yikes! If you've properly removed the burr then making a few cuts through paper should have almost no impact on sharpness. If you don't want to go there, shaving a few arm hairs would be preferable to cutting your skin! I've got pretty bad sharpness OCD, so I bought a BESS tester. If a blade doesn't come in below 140 grams on the tester it doesn't see my pocket.

Thanks for the info on the BESS tester. Just ordered one

 

[Revival29]

Thanks for the info on the BESS tester. Just ordered one

Which one did you order? I’ve always been curious about those things.

 

[Ernie1980]

I use phone book paper for testing, there is no other use for those things
However, at this point I can look at an edge in bright light and see if it is sharp. Once you know it is apexed, shiny spots tell you areas where these is a burr or a less sharpened area.