When is a Traditional Knife "Sharp Enough"?

AFAustin

AFAustin

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I am wondering what traditional knife guys consider "sharp enough" for their knives. I realize this is not the sharpening subforum, and I am not asking for the latest techniques for whittling hair. I am just asking for opinions here on the level of sharpeness that is considered acceptable for fans of traditional knives.

So what sharpening method do you use, and what are your tests for determining if your traditional knife is "sharp enough"?

Thanks,

Andrew
 
I use a Lansky sharpening system. It's what my father used and it's what I learned to sharpen knives with.
My knives get a 25 degree angle on all the blades. I have know idea why I went with the 25, but it seems perfect for my uses.

My knives all better shave hair and whisper through newspaper before I start carrying them. Some knives I get really sharp and you know when your traditional is really sharp, it's just a different feeling.
 
I mainly use wet/dry sandpaper in grits ( usually 600 thru 2500) at 20 to 40 degrees inclusive. Then a quick strop. The technique varies depending on the blade, age, and intended usage. When the blade will cut cleanly through printer paper with one clean pass, the full length of the blade ...its done.
 
Hey Andrew - good idea for a thread! I'll be looking forward to the various answers that get posted. :thumbup:

I've always sharpened freehand ..... that is up until a few weeks ago. Curiosity finally got the best of me and I ordered a Lansky Deluxe kit to see what sharpening with a gadget was all about. It works better than I thought it would (it actually works very well), but I still mostly use my benchstones.

Easiest and most frequently used is the thumbnail test. Will it grab my thumbnail both ways (along the entire length of the blade), and at how low of an angle? If it'll shave arm hair that's also a good enough test for me - no need to tree top or whittle the hair. Also paper cutting if I happen to have an old catalog or newspaper close by - smoothly slice with no dragging - no need to slice hanging toilet paper or such. ;)
 
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I used a Lansky kit for 20+ years and I always liked the results I got.

For the last 3+ years I've been using a paper wheel settup.

I test the sharpness by shaving arm hair and by feeling the edge with my fingers. I feel the edge first and if it feels sharp enough then I attempt to shave arm hair with it.
If it shaves hair along the entire length of the edge then I'm good to go.
 
I normally use a Sharpmaker at 20° per side.
If the edge won't slide across my thumbnail when the blade is resting on it at a 20-30° angle, it's good. (saves on arm hair.)
 
I haven't got a clue what angle the edge winds up at. I sharpen all my knives by hand and use a combination of whatever I have available until the edge scares me. I tried a Lansky once and it worked fine. I really don't consider an edge finished until it has had a few good strops along the way.

This may sound odd but, in my case, a patina (if possible) helps to find the edge on some stubborn blades.
 
I use a variety of different methods depending on what I'm trying to achieve or what I feel like doing. I find myself mostly using the paper wheels for how fast they work and because they are always set up and ready to go. I'm satisfied when it will either cleanly shave or slice through paper with little effort. I also strop periodically between sharpenings.
 
I use varying methods. My idea for "sharp enough" is being able to splice layers of magazine paper off of the side without cutting through.
I strop after every day of use with a nicely loaded strop too, so I don't have to sharpen very often at all.
 
I use a translucent arkansas stone followed by an old barbers style linen strop with powdered compound just to get off any burr. It really does not polish and smooth like leather with green/black compounds. It gives me a nice toothy edge and will also push cut newspaper. I used to be obsessed, but I really like this combo for my EDC traditional folders.

Its quick, easy and effective :)
 
DMT sharpeners. I have one that is fine on one side and super fine on the other. And a smaller one with a fishhook sharpener. Got a few of the old school school eraser sized stones, too. I got one bald arm that proves they're sharp enough for me.

I won't turn my nose up at the bottom of a coffee mug in a pinch either. I'm not a supersharp freak. Not good enough, and most of the stuff I need a knife for doesn't require scalpel sharpness. Good Q. :thumbup:
 
Combination of my Sharpmaker & freehand on my Norton India stone. Satisfied if it cuts paper cleanly & shaves hair.
 
Sappyg, that isn't odd at all to me. Its like the natural version of the sharpie trick.
 
Guys...I was actually thinking of taking a video of just how I sharpen my knives...and then post it here in Traditionals, so you can tell me just what I am doing wrong!!...as it is one thing I have mixed results with.

The other day I visited a very good mate of mine, I gifted him a Case Sowbelly quite some time ago -one exactly like Ed ( Tlrabb ) experiment with - and single bladed the knife...anyway...you think I could get a decent edge on the Sheepsfoot blade?? no way, and yet the night before, I used my Arkansas fine stone ..gently went through about 6 of my knives...and stropped them...a very good result, BUT I keep getting mixed results with different metals, and I am finding this MOST frustrating...the other day I sharpened my bladeforums 2011 Easy Opener...got it good, but just could NOT get it hair sharpening..yet a '64 Case...just a few gentle licks on the very fine stone..and again a very carefull stropping..Bingo!!...hair shaving madness! same with a 1940's Carl Schlieper slippie.

I oil the stone with Honing solution everytime. I also concentrate so carefully on the angles( approx 20 degrees ) and keep it so even..whew... it is a workout...I am miles ahead of where I used to be, but MILES away from being good....and I know this.
Im sorry if this sounds silly to you guys, but I didnt grow up with knives, they came into my life when I was 45 years old :o and they werent part of my everyday life until a few years ago!
I tried the Lansky- didnt work for me, I do have a field Lansky, but thats for emergencies...I want to be able to sharpen the knives myself, like you should be able to..with what I have!!
 
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I use variety of wet stones artificial and natural, grits are fro 600 to about 4000 and these make great job. Choosing the actual stone mostly based on the knife and the feeling I developed in time of what stone will suit a specific blade, trial and error basically. The sharpness test is paper cutting or hair shaving whatever I have "in hand" :D

Mike
 
Well, I use usually a Sharpmaker in combination with Lansky Standart System (for coarse works, at the Sharpmaker there´s too much material loss when the edge is too dull).

And when I have time, I use a wetstone for sharping skythes, followed by coffeemugsharping and the a leatherbelt for finishing. That´s how it was teached to me by my grandma. She was master in sharping everything with a blade...

Kind regards
Andi
 
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