How do YOU gauge sharpness on your knives?

[ryan3030]

As everyone else I sharpen my carry knives till I can shave my knuckles with them. For what it's worth I use a Lansky system, IMO the best knife sharpener for under $100. Amazon.com: Lansky Diamond Deluxe Sharpening System with Extra Coarse, Coarse, Medium and Fine Hones: Sports & Outdoors

Joe

Thanks for that, I'll check it out. Waiting on some advice from Tyler he said he was going to write up before I make any decisions.

 

[rhino]

My first test is if the edge will bite into a thumbnail with no downward pressure (be careful because you can slice through the nail and then you're really, really, sorry).

Once I'm there, I go until the edge will pop arm hair. A lot of knives will scrape hair from an arm, but it has to be fairly sharp to get the hairs "pop" without any substantial pressure. If the edge geometry is good and it's a good steel/heat treatment, I will try to get it to "tree top" the hairs, which means make them pop by cutting horizontally well above the skin. I can usually get my Buck 110s to do this (they have S30V, BG-42, and CPM 154CM blades. It gets tougher the more you've used a knife and sharpened it because it starts to get too thick near the edge over time unless you regrind the whole blade).

Then I feel the edge with my thumb (dragging it across). I can tell when it's "right" for me.

Some things I've never been able to do:

1. slice free hanging single ply toilet paper without tearing
2. push cut free hanging single ply toilet paper without tearing

Those require a really sharp edge and I'm too lazy to strop. Heh.

 

[bushidomedic]

I scrape the edge lightly on a thumb nail. I think my dad taught me how to do it.

 

[TiminMishawaka]

Here's how I test the sharpness of my blades.

YouTube - Crazy Sword skill

 

[singlesix]

Some things I've never been able to do:

1. slice free hanging single ply toilet paper without tearing
2. push cut free hanging single ply toilet paper without tearing

Those require a really sharp edge and I'm too lazy to strop. Heh.

Is that 2-ply paper or single?

 

[grunt soldier]

Is that 2-ply paper or single?

it says single ply sir

 

[singlesix]

it says single ply sir

I can't sharpen a knife and can't read.

 

[rhino]

Heh.

 

[irishfan]

I have to ask...why do you guys check sharpness on your body? It just seem like a bad idea to test how sharp my blade is based on if it cuts MY hair and having to be careful I don't slice myself open.

 

[tyler34]

I have to ask...why do you guys check sharpness on your body? It just seem like a bad idea to test how sharp my blade is based on if it cuts MY hair and having to be careful I don't slice myself open.

over the last ten years of collecting and sharpening knives as a business the only time I have cut myself was cutting open a biscuit with a serrated bread knife. karma is a mother f'er.

 

[rhino]

I've cut myself plenty of times, but never when I was testing an edge.

 

[cubby]

i use my teeth. or others around me's teeth.....

just sayin..........

 

[stony]

If it will push cut a page from the phone book it is sharp enough for me.

 

[marine4life]

If the blade feels tacky, it's sharp!

 

[Six]

I shaved my forearm bald and started on my calves when my dad gave me some knives from his collection. I also use the paper test. If I can slice the page from edge to edge using just the pressure from my thumb and index finger holding the knife, I'm happy.

 

[rhino]

The problem with cutting paper to test and edge is that after cutting the paper I am compelled to resharpen.

 

[tyler34]

tada!

the knife is a used to be mine and now dubsac's ZT350cb in ELMAX.

 

[rhino]

tada!

the knife is a used to be mine and now dubsac's ZT350cb in ELMAX.

http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/...tion=view&current=2011-02-16_21-41-22_203.mp4

Dude! You cheated! You're holding onto the TP, which helps the blade cut it. You have to do it unsupported!

 

[mrfsm1]

I let the customer test the sharpness. when they are speechless or a week later tell me they cut themselves a few times I know I did it right. and really people only need edge pros if they reprofile blades on the regular or have more money than brains.

id like to see that tutorial myself or a adress of your sharpening shop

 

[.356luger]

I usually sharpen them until the point if you look at them to long you got to put a band-aid on your eye