Thread: Testing an edge

Another thought....

When sharpening kitchen or pocket knives, I often use a piece of newspaper to test.

I start at the top and try to slice all the way through the page, depending how sharp the blade is, the further the cut in the paper will be. Also this allows me to see which parts of the blade are dull and which are sharp, depending on which sections of the cut are torn/how clean the cut is.

With a razor being more delicate that say a pocket knife, will this undo all my hard work putting a nice edge on the razor? I suspect it will but thought I would throw it out all the same.

Cheers for all your replies fellas.


David

Originally Posted by davidcarr3

With a razor being more delicate that say a pocket knife, will this undo all my hard work putting a nice edge on the razor? I suspect it will but thought I would throw it out all the same.

Yes, cutting paper is a very good test for knives but it is not recommended for testing razors for exactly the reason that you listed. There is the potential to damage a delicate shave ready edge by cutting paper because it is too aggressive. One should also avoid using the thumbnail test on a razor that has been honed past the 4K stage because it is also too aggressive on the edge.

David