Standard cutting test?

[PropThePolecat]

Hey all

I just gave my TAK-1 and Spydie DKPK a go on my sharpmaker and it made me think...How can i compare the 2 knives in sharpness? When i was finished with my DKPK i took an apple and it sliced through it with no problem. I tried the same with my TAK and its wasnt as effortless cos of the thicker blade stock. Same story with an A4 paper, the Spydie just went through, where i had a hard time making the initial cut with my TAK cos of the relatively steep utility edge i have on it.
I imagine if i backed the edge up on my TAK it would slice as easy as my DKPK.

Ive seen some guys on Youtube roll a piece of paper together so it looks like a tube, cut through and say thats one way of measuring sharpness. CutleryLover proposed putting a piece of paper flat down on a hard surface and try to shave a sliver of the paper off without cutting through. And ive found other tips like using your nail, slicing tomatoes etc etc.

Thats great if you have a relatively thin blade like my DKPK but its not as easy when youre up in the bigger fixed-blade department with edges thats sharpened an an angle thats meant to prevent chipping.

Is there any standard test that you know of that can measure a knives sharpness? And im not talking about microscopes or anything fancy. Something that can be performed at home on all knives regardless of size, angle of the edge, steel, etc and that gives a clear picture of how sharp the knife is?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[knarfeng]

One popular test is to hold a sheet of newspaper (with flat edge) in your hand. Then bring the knife directly down on the edge of the paper without any drawing motion. This is called "push cutting". See if the knife will cut the paper when you just push the knife against the edge of the paper. The farther out from your hand you can cut the paper, the sharper the knife.

 

[Ankerson]

It depends on what the knife is going to be used for IMO.

For a field knife IMO as long as it will cut paper it is plenty sharp enough.

Other knives you might want then razor sharp (Scary Sharp) I would lay the knife flat agaist my arm and move it against the hair, if it cause the hair to POP up cutting it then it's plenty sharp enough.

 

[pedicabdriver]

If you can cleanly push cut plain old computer printer paper, you should be all set for most daily cutting tasks.