Originally Posted by
holli4pirating
I'm confused as to what you're finishing these Sheffield blades on - Shapton, jnat, or coti - and which are giving you harsh edges. Maybe try some chrome ox or stropping on newspaper; these seem to smooth edges.
I find that, in general, Sheffield steel is softer than german and american steel, but I have had a number of Frederick Reynolds blades that have been extremely harsh. I'm not sure that I've done enough to generalize about the steel, and I'm sure the steel varies based on the era and manufacturer.