The obsession with sharp

[Charlie_K]

I take offense !

Offense overruled.

 

[ShannonSteelLabs]

I agree. Nothing like a really sharp knife. Handing a knife to someone and them being impressed or terrified with its sharpness.

 

[maximus83]

Sweet Fallkniven and great quote in the OP post!

My take on sharpness has changed over time. Used to strive for insane sharpness--as sharp as I could possibly get it on every knife. Now have become more practical because of time demands. With most folding, small fixed, and kitchen knives, I aim for a level of sharpness that would equate to the 'shaving sharp' standard described in the sharpness chart in the maintenance forum. While at the same time, being a 'durable' and sustainable edge. This is not smooth shaving capable of shaving your face with very low friction like a razor. But more like able to shave arm/leg hair with light scraping friction, and able to cleanly slice thin cigarette paper lengthwise. Edges at that level of sharpness are more than sharp enough to easily do everything I need on regular user knives, and I can achieve that level of sharpness very quickly, often on a single stone plus a strop. But still, sometimes I'll take one of my knives and spend a couple of hours, and get it as extremely sharp as I can get it. This is mainly just for fun, and because in the process of doing it, you learn more about sharpening nuances and it keeps improving your sharpening skills.

 

[Rupestris]

As Roy Underhill said, "Look at your edge If you see something, you have nothing. If you see nothing.... Now you have something."

 

[unwisefool]

The sharpest knives I ever received were from Kershaw and my umnumzaan. I find that when they are that sharp I tend to ding the edge more. I'm more than happy with a work level of sharpness that lasts longer and preserves the edge more. Easier to maintain as well.

 

[herisson]

As Roy Underhill said, "Look at your edge If you see something, you have nothing. If you see nothing.... Now you have something."

I might steal that...

 

[Pilsner]

Worth purloining.

Here is the U2 with its big brother:

I have to say, the utilitarian design of these knives I find deeply pleasing. Just outstanding, no-nonsense cutting tools.

 

[scottyj]

My plain jane Manix 2 came "sticky" sharp. The edge literally just sinks into your skin. Its great and all, but the down side is that I suck at sharpening, and I will never be able to replicate that factory edge.