Thread: After you gasp, on to the answer

So here's the question. Has anyone ever tried, with a cheapie blade, to do the blade sharpening in a ChefsChoice diamond wheel with Asian blade capability (15 degree bevel)? Seems to me that it should work pretty well. A plus is that it will handle smiling blades without an issue.

Never have but if you got one let us know if it works. It'll either be a fantastic discovery or new entry on the "don't do this .... ever" list.

Knife sharpening systems do not work on straight razors, try as you might, it's been proven time and time again. It's like comparing my Suburban's acceleration time to 100mph to a ZR1 Corvette.

Originally Posted by Brenngun

Never have but if you got one let us know if it works. It'll either be a fantastic discovery or new entry on the "don't do this .... ever" list.

Well, first I need to acquire an inexpensive test razor, as I'm not about to run the experiment on a new and pristine one. But once I have a nice carbon steel blade in hand I"ll definitely give it a go. Should be an interesting experiment to run.

Gold dollar razors can be got for around $6 on eBay inc free postage. I reckon if you wreck one of those no one will mind, and I have heard that they can be made into decent shavers.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Knife sharpening systems do not work on straight razors, try as you might, it's been proven time and time again. It's like comparing my Suburban's acceleration time to 100mph to a ZR1 Corvette.

I'd love to know who/how. There are knife sharpeners and there are knife sharpeners. The top of the line Chefs Choice WITH 15 degree bevel capability is a very persuasive device. Enough so that I routinely use it on my oriental knives and my hones are gathering dark. My interest was piqued when I found out that the razor blade's bevel is 15 degrees as well. Logically (and I'm a true disciple of logic) it should work just fine. And thus the scientist in me cries out in me to "run the experiment". If it DOESN'T work then I'll want to understand why!

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Knife sharpening systems do not work on straight razors, try as you might...

Ah - but why not?

This could be a reason why not. Seems like any drawdown device (like a Chefs Choice) would necessarily run striations parallel, rather than perpendicular or diagonally, to the edge. Nearing the microscopic level I would expect to see an edge that is doomed to fold.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Gold dollar razors can be got for around $6 on eBay inc free postage. I reckon if you wreck one of those no one will mind, and I have heard that they can be made into decent shavers.

I'd rather go with an inexpensive "good" razor, one with steel that can take an excellent edge. Otherwise the experiment wouldn't be persuasive. Older carbon steel with staining/etc for cheap is what I'll go for.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Ah - but why not?

This could be a reason why not. Seems like any drawdown device (like a Chefs Choice) would necessarily run striations parallel, rather than perpendicular or diagonally, to the edge. Nearing the microscopic level I would expect to see an edge that is doomed to fold.

And to follow up with that thought, I've not detected any perceptible burr at the edge that wasn't ameliorated by my ceramic hone. I can state categorically that I can make my carbon steel, 1885 Henckel Twinwerks steak knives razor sharp. But can I make a razor "razor sharp"? That's today's imponderable.

Originally Posted by Headcrowny

My interest was piqued when I found out that the razor blade's bevel is 15 degrees as well. !

Some might be,,,, razor angles vary, in our experiments here, quite a bit.. This is what make the spine and the fact the razor indexes on the spine so efficient,

There have been quite a few experiments using Knife Sharpeners, near every one has been "Successful" ie: The user claims AWESOME results, yet not one person that hones Straight Razors seriously has switched to them ...