Why is my better knife more difficult to use?

AHA!

By George, I've got it. Despite using the Cowry X knife much for much longer, I didn't realize that it had been "fighting" me. Appalling as it sounds to me, I may be giving my Cowry X to my great nephew along with one of my Shiloh Sharps 1863s. It is not a bad knife - in fact quite good. But if I can't take advantage of it, perhaps it's time for it to have another home.
 
Perception is reality. You paid more for something and you want there to be a correlation between price and likability; a buyer's bias.

Truth is I don't know why people collect knives or spend the ridiculous amounts of money on them in the way that they do. Knife market is WAY over priced and I came to the realization that I just need one good one. It wears out, I'll buy another but this industry is a bubble supported by disposable income and inflated prices.
 
This reminds me of my Sebenza and their thumb stud. I hated it. Bought 3 before I realized that the mystique of the knife was lost on me because the thumb stud ripped up my thumb. I wanted it to be right for me, but it was a nasty form of self mutilation by using the damn thing. Sell the knife that isn't right for you and move on to another. I did and feel so much better now that I am free from Sebenzas.
 
marcinek said:
Blade geometry determines the cutting performance of a knife. Nothing else plays any role in how a knife cuts initially.
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Well, actually, that part that you hold onto plays a small role, particularly if it's not there or has been embedded with glass.

(I never used the word "embedded" before reporters were embedded with U.S. brigades in combat. My, how things change.)
 
I recommend you cut the bevels to 15 degrees. You may also want to consider aquiring some sort of finishing stone to clean up what is left from diamond hones. It will make a meaningful improvement in cutting performance.
 
Take a Victorinox Boning knife, or even, as said above, an Opinel No:8, and their thin blades with zip through soft matter like tomato, meat and veg. Take a stocky survival knife and the thick stock of the blade won't do the same. But the former can't take abuse like battening, and the edges so fine they require continual maitenance.

Different grinds make give marketably different results. The different blade thickness stock differences too. So choose the right combination for what the task is. Feel, weight, and comfort the other things to look out for. Takes a few knives to work out what works for you and other people's recommendations aren't that helpful. Price rarely reflects anything much other than the materials, finish, marketing and cost of labour.
 
Just because it costs more doesn't mean its better. You most likely will get the highest performance from an inexpensive knife (under 100$) that will cut's just as good and hold an edge as good if not better than something costing thousands. The value of diminishing returns is very strong with knives. A box cutter cuts better than most pocket knives.
 
Better idea op. Ya send me the Sharps and the knife. I'll thin the blade out for ya and send er on to your great nephew, it'll be a cutting dream. We'll trade the Sharps for the job. Good trade?
 
Horsewright said:
Better idea op. Ya send me the Sharps and the knife. I'll thin the blade out for ya and send er on to your great nephew, it'll be a cutting dream. We'll trade the Sharps for the job. Good trade?
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I sent them a few minutes ago via Imagimail.
 
One of the absolutely best slicing knives I have used is my sog flash 1. Its small blade but came super sharp. its incredibly easy to sharpen. I leave the knife in my garage desk with my razor blades and exacto knives. Ideal when you need a razor, with a tip, thats slightly more sturdy than a push razor with the brakeable blades. I use it when cutting foam for gun cases, for masking out painting projects, lots of stuff.
Any knife that has a thin blade stock and a full flat grind is gonna slice grate. Like a FFG delica would be a good option off the top of my head. even a victorinox alox slices great.
 
Chessie said:
This reminds me of my Sebenza and their thumb stud. I hated it. Bought 3 before I realized that the mystique of the knife was lost on me because the thumb stud ripped up my thumb. I wanted it to be right for me, but it was a nasty form of self mutilation by using the damn thing. Sell the knife that isn't right for you and move on to another. I did and feel so much better now that I am free from Sebenzas.
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I was of similar feeling, though my problem was my large thumbs couldn't grip the thumbstuds, so it was essentially a two hand opener. I sold it and haven't looked back.

I loved flipping my ZT 0801, but poor edge geometry and heavy weight caused me to sell it.

Sell that knife and find something that works.
 
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