Splitting (arm) hairs

[ayryq]

It seems like the standard for sharpness is does it or does it not shave arm hairs. I have never had a knife which did this. Not even my carbon Opinel would shave my arm when new. Am I using improper shaving technique, or am I missing some basic part of sharpening, or have I just been buying the wrong knives? Perhaps I just have arm hair of steel...

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Welcome to the forum!

Get yourself a Spyderco Sharpmaker, # 204, and then just follow the instructions, it is amazing how fast and how and sharp a knife will get.

If you need to set the initial bevel on the blade it will take longer but persistent!

G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...


G2 LeatherWorks

 

[JoHnYKwSt]

This may seem obvious, but do you look on the blade to see if the arms have come off? Or do you just look at your arm to see if hair is missing? Try looking on the knife to see if there are hairs. Also try shaving the hairs on the back of your neck. If none of this works then get yourself a sharpmaker.

-Johnny

 

[Gary W. Graley]

I always tell my wife that it's my Constitutional Right to Bare Arms

I once sharpened a few knives for guys at work and after I was done there was not a single hair remaining on my left arm! from the shoulder to the knuckles! She didn't notice until I crossed my arms and then she freaked! made me promise never to do that again....oh well!

G2

 

[Mark W Douglas]

Most of the high end knives I have bought shave the hair right off the arm! Like mentioned, you might want to look on the blade afterwards if you haven't already that is. Even some of the lower end or less expensive knives I have found to be shaving sharp right out of the box. Granted though, some blades dull real quick and need sharpening alot sooner than others to get that razor sharp edge on it. I like the Spyderco Sharpmaker, too, followed by jewelers rouge rubbed deep into leather to get that final edge. Works extremely well for me.

Or maybe you have thick bear hair on your arm!

Just kidding!

Mark

 

[LabRat]

Originally posted by JoHnYKwSt:
This may seem obvious, but do you look on the blade to see if the arms have come off?
-Johnny

I'd say that would be toooo sharp!!!!!!

------------------
Brad Mixon-
Flick, Click, Snap!
Flick, Click, Snap!
Flick, Click, OUCH!!!!!!

 

[TAutry]

I couldn't get a shaving edge until I read
"The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening". You might want to try it.

On a side note: Why do wives get freaked when you shave some arm hair to test sharpness? Mine really makes a big deal about it.

------------------
Travis Autry
My knives are just like rabbits---they keep multiplying!!

 

[Jeff Clark]

Go to a knife store that has demonstration sharpeners. Take something like an Opinel with you. Sharpen the blade on a diamond hone till you get a burr. Lightly hone it on ceramic rods to deburr and refine the edge. --Then take it home an strop it on a belt or other piece of leather. The stropping makes a lot of difference in shaving, particularly with soft nonstainless like an Opinel.

 

[RLR]

Stropping ain't easy, but once you master it, look out! For now, buy a good steel (not ceramic or diamond, just steel). About 50 bucks or so should do. A couple of swipes, slight pressure, constant angle, and presto, the hair should jump off your arm. As always, for shaving sharp, hone often:

Step 1 - Arkansas fine

Step 2 - Steel

Step 3 - Strop with red compound (any finer is not necessary for non-surgical operations

)

Sharpening - a science and an art...

Have fun

RLR

 

[cerulean]

It seems like the standard for sharpness is does it or does it not shave arm hairs.

I personally think that this is not a good standard for sharpness.
It's fun to shave your arm hair, and non-knife people are often very impressed by it. However, it's pretty easy to get a shaving sharp edge on a wide variety of materials.

The ancient Egyptians would shave every day; heads as well as faces. Only the very rich could afford the fine copper razors. Most of them had to use their cheap flint knives, but these knives worked adequately.

 

[EDge Sharpen]

It is not your knifes, a quarter or car key can be sharpened to shave hair.
Try to shave a news paper in half. Hold down tight on a table a cheap news paper and take a filet off the paper, split it in half.
If you can do that your pretty sharp, it is not your sharpening.
Now you know it must be technique of shaving or sharpening.
Don't get hurt. Have fun.

 

[Fox Creek]

Are you spitting on your arm first? this is part of thr manly ritual, and really grosses the ladies out!

 

[Asuang]

It seems like on the net I am always ruining peoples' fun by pointing out that certain compounds may contain cyanide (ie certain dit da jows) but I must remark that, in my understanding, jewelers' rouge contains a large portion of that poor, misunderstood chemical. If you're mixing it with hairpopping blades be careful.

But hey it would be quick...