Ways to test sharpness?

mmarkh said:
How long will a steel like S30v hold an edge like that? Once it will slice TP if you cut some other stuff like veggies will the TP slicing edge hold for long? I use arm shaving as my sharpness standard and my knives can hold that for quite a while. I wouldn't mind taking my edges to the next level but I don't want to have to constantly sharpen them. I hand sharpen with stones then I strop to sharpen my knives. I have been thinking of getting an Edge Pro but am afraid of the nasty scratches I have seen some people put on their knives with them.
Click to expand...

S30V will lose it's fine edge fast, but develops a working edge and holds it.

For satin or polished blades I tape the blade.

For my own users I don't worry about it.
 
Ankerson said:
It can do it at 30 degrees or 40 degrees inclusive, angle really doesn't matter that much as long as it's not crazy.

I think you hit it when you talked about the EP and set bevels, the edge is so refined it slices right through the TP.

The 6000 grit EP Tapes are .5 Micron or less.
Click to expand...


Thats probably it because when I use my aligner on my bench stones I can't even come close to the same results when I try freehand, I just don't like the way it cuts so I freehand :o
 
knifenut1013 said:
Thats probably it because when I use my aligner on my bench stones I can't even come close to the same results when I try freehand, I just don't like the way it cuts so I freehand :o
Click to expand...

It's the accuracy that makes the difference I think. :)
 
Damn, well you guys are a step above me. I polished the crap out of my S30V Sebenza yesterday to the sharpest I have ever got it. It literally slid through normal printer paper, phone book paper, and receipts without even making a noise. I hardly had to push it and it was just slicling and dicing. Then I whittled a couple of thin hairs and was fairly satisfied. I tried the TP and it wouldn't even start a cut with some slicing action. Oh well, I am not going to obsess over it. I gave it a shot. I believe that perhaps the type of TP might have something to do with it? Every single knife I have ever sold here I was praised for selling them the sharpest knive they have ever seen, but I guess I have not experience the ultimate sharpness yet.
 
Incahiker said:
Damn, well you guys are a step above me. I polished the crap out of my S30V Sebenza yesterday to the sharpest I have ever got it. It literally slid through normal printer paper, phone book paper, and receipts without even making a noise. I hardly had to push it and it was just slicling and dicing. Then I whittled a couple of thin hairs and was fairly satisfied. I tried the TP and it wouldn't even start a cut with some slicing action. Oh well, I am not going to obsess over it. I gave it a shot. I believe that perhaps the type of TP might have something to do with it? Every single knife I have ever sold here I was praised for selling them the sharpest knive they have ever seen, but I guess I have not experience the ultimate sharpness yet.
Click to expand...

I use Charman, the one with the Red Label to test. :)

It's very soft and 2 Ply.

[youtube]aGLT5a-gi2A[/youtube]
 
Just wondering, since not all TP is created eaqual and there can be a huge amount of difference in the papers texture and consistency between different brands and types of toilet paper, I'm wondering exactly what brand and style of TP are you using Ankerson?

I've found that my blades will cut cleanly through some types much easier than others. And some I can't get through at all. :)
 
BryFry said:
Just wondering, since not all TP is created eaqual and there can be a huge amount of difference in the papers texture and consistency between different brands and types of toilet paper, I'm wondering exactly what brand and style of TP are you using Ankerson?

I've found that my blades will cut cleanly through some types much easier than others. And some I can't get through at all. :)
Click to expand...

I use Charman, the one with the Red Label. :)

If it will go though that clean I don't think you will have a problem with most others.
 
Last edited:
Ankerson said:
I use Charman, the one with the Red Label. :)

If it will go though that clean I don't think you will have a problem with others.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll have to try that.:)

Your edges look fantasic by the way, makes me want to try the Edge Pro! :thumbup: ...but I think I have enough sharpening gear for the momment, haha.
 
BryFry said:
Thanks! I'll have to try that.:)

Your edges look fantasic by the way, makes me want to try the Edge Pro! :thumbup: ...but I think I have enough sharpening gear for the momment, haha.
Click to expand...

It's consistant, pretty strong and soft enough to be a good test.

Some of the other brands I have seen are either not strong enough etc so they fall apart just by looking at it almost, not something I would want to use if you know what I mean.

If you can cut through it clean and have no TP on the edge then that's the ticket.
 
Ankerson said:
It's consistant, pretty strong and soft enough to be a good test.

Some of the other brands I have seen are either not strong enough etc so they fall apart just by looking at it almost, not something I would want to use if you know what I mean.

If you can cut through it clean and have no TP on the edge then that's the ticket.
Click to expand...

Uhmm used TP or fresh from the roll :confused: :D
 
How does it work for cleaning your butt with?

I have decided that I may need to bow down to the Edge Pro and admit that I may not be able to get the same results freehand. My edges are sharper than any other knife I encounter, but Ankerson, yours are a different level completely and one that I have yet to experience.

Where do you get all the grits and tapes from that you use? Directly from Edge Pro?

Also, what is your technique? One side at a time until you get a burr and then on to a higher grit all the way up to your 6000 grit tape or whatever? Any tricks we should know?

I am happy with the results that I can get freehand and I'm glad I learned to do it well, but I have never seen edges like that before, so I guess it's time for me to get an edge pro.
 
jgon said:
How does it work for cleaning your butt with?

I have decided that I may need to bow down to the Edge Pro and admit that I may not be able to get the same results freehand. My edges are sharper than any other knife I encounter, but Ankerson, yours are a different level completely and one that I have yet to experience.

Where do you get all the grits and tapes from that you use? Directly from Edge Pro?

Also, what is your technique? One side at a time until you get a burr and then on to a higher grit all the way up to your 6000 grit tape or whatever? Any tricks we should know?

I am happy with the results that I can get freehand and I'm glad I learned to do it well, but I have never seen edges like that before, so I guess it's time for me to get an edge pro.
Click to expand...

It works better than most IMO. :)

The most important things with the Edge Pro are the same most important things when sharpening freehand. :thumbup:

But there are things to pay attention to, you have to watch the bevel and make sure the edge is correct and to that grit stone along with having a bur before flipping the blade. Yes you do one side at a time, then flip it and move on to the next stone and repeat.

The tapes are different, more like stropping, the 2000 Grit 1st then move to the 6000 grit. Attention to detail is everything in achieving the ultimate edge.

I won't give away all my tricks. :D
 
Ankerson said:
It works better than most IMO. :)

The most important things with the Edge Pro are the same most important things when sharpening freehand. :thumbup:

But there are things to pay attention to, you have to watch the bevel and make sure the edge is correct and to that grit stone along with having a bur before flipping the blade. Yes you do one side at a time, then flip it and move on to the next stone and repeat.

The tapes are different, more like stropping, the 2000 Grit 1st then move to the 6000 grit. Attention to detail is everything in achieving the ultimate edge.

I won't give away all my tricks. :D
Click to expand...

Yep. It must be magic. In all seriousness though I've decided to get one and see if it can help me achieve that next level of sharpness that we are all constantly trying to achieve. I'm excited to give it a try.

Knifenut1013 mentioned something about his edges passing a HHT or something like that. What does that acronym stand for, anyone know?
 
Hawkings said:
Shaving sharp is pretty good.
The sharpening discussed here is not the standard to judge a sharp knife by.
Shaving sharp IS a good result and does in no way suck.

Some times people (younger people more often then not, I'd wager) have a hard time understanding the difference between "pretty darn good" and "The best". The result being that "pretty darn good" is perceived to be sub standard, or suck.
Click to expand...

I suppose. It doesn't help that I can't even use my fine stone either, so I'm basically only sharpening down to a medium grit stone.
 
Yup, I too agree that is another degree of sharpness that I will probably not get. I have a belt sander and use grits from 80 (reshaping edge) all the way up to 3 microns (green compound) and my knives get wicked sharp. Sharper then anyone I know have seen before. They are mirror polished better then a mirror is, but..... I can not put cut toilet paper. Sorry, I tried again and that is just not going to happen. Never did get charmin though. But, I can start a little slice cut and it begins to cut through the TP, but there is no pushcutting this through it.

I am still impressed with my knives sharpness, but I admire that you are able to pushcut some TP, that is plain incredible.
 
HHT is Hanging Hair Test. Knifenut posted a thread not that long ago about levels of sharpness where he describes his assessments of sharpness.

Cutting toilet tissue is a great test. The stuff is so flimsy that one must hold both sides like in Jim's video above. Free-hanging TP slicing would be the next level up, wouldn't it?
 
Well, that is what I was trying to do, I was just holding a corner in one hand and trying to cut it. I didn't hold both sides.. but I am happy with my sharpness either way. I thought holding both sides was cheating, lol....

Edit: I just watched that video, I didn't know you were grabbing the TP and creating tension, I just tried that and my knives fly though the TP like fire.... I wasn't trying to rip the paper in half, but applying as little tension as possible as saw in the video, just enough to stabilize it lol. My knives have no problem cutting like in the video. A clean slice all the way through

I was sitting there the whole time gripping my TP by the corner push cutting it with no tension, just free hanging. I had to slice a little to get the cut going and it would go a little ways. I thought everyone was free hanging the TP and push cutting through it.... :D

Bill1170 said:
HHT is Hanging Hair Test. Knifenut posted a thread not that long ago about levels of sharpness where he describes his assessments of sharpness.

Cutting toilet tissue is a great test. The stuff is so flimsy that one must hold both sides like in Jim's video above. Free-hanging TP slicing would be the next level up, wouldn't it?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
My first attempt to sharpen a knife and cut TP.

Sharpened on the Wicked Edge Sharpener

Kershaw Zing / 15deg per side / Finished with 3.5m diamond paste on leather, all on the WE.

[youtube]5v1yJg8nVK4[/youtube]

cbw
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top