Thread: How sharp do you like it?

Originally Posted by Jimbo

...the common historically observed pattern is that they stop too soon and continue up the grits to produce a highly polished and very smooth dull edge...

This thread is becoming very informative. So, pray tell, how do we know when a bevel is set? I (probably foolishly) use 800 or 1000 wet and dry. When that shaves leg hair very 'nicely' (I have no arm hair to speak of) I then start my 4/8 pyramids (I generally find pyramids constrain me, without them I 'just do stuff'). I have no loupe, though I am slightly loopy...

I know that's a very fundamental question re. the bevel, just thought I'd get an opinion...

BTW, this is a thought provoking statement, sums up the whole sharp Vs smooth thing really...

Originally Posted by Jimbo

...I find it difficult to believe that the maximum width between two sides, and the makeup of the sides themselves can be considered by anyone to be an artificial distinction.

I have sharpened things since I was around 11 or 12, my grandfather taught me how and I always loved knives and sharp things. I went on to work in a packing house after I got out of the Navy cutting up 4000 hogs a day. Without bravado, I kept one of the sharpest knives in the plant and taught alot of guys how to do that. That being said, a razor takes a completely different skillset to hone. The only advantage is that kinda like Forrest, 'I know what sharp is...'. You know what sharp is, but half the fun is learning how to get there with different hones, strokes, and techniques.