Thread: How sharp do you like it?

Originally Posted by TonyFranciozi

As a woodworker of many years who thinks power tools are the devil's work, I can safely say I've sharpened the equivalent of thousands of razors. That is in the form of planes, chisels, saws, augers, drill bits, scrapers, etc. Not to mention the razors in my meager collection. The tools may be different, but the concept is the same.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Ahhhhhhhh, now it all makes sense, thanks for the clarification...

Originally Posted by TonyFranciozi

You fellas think of sharpness in a completely different way than I do. Try to see things my way

Bingo !!!! hence why I gave up trying to explain it to you...

Originally Posted by TonyFranciozi

You fellas think of sharpness in a completely different way than I do. Try to see things my way

That's OK, Tony. As a fellow wood worker I understand. Don't waste your time trying to explain--they have their own mythology here, and it's not productive to challenge another's religion. ;-)

Originally Posted by TonyFranciozi

You fellas think of sharpness in a completely different way than I do. Try to see things my way

Originally Posted by mdarnton

That's OK, Tony. As a fellow wood worker I understand. Don't waste your time trying to explain--they have their own mythology here, and it's not productive to challenge another's religion. ;-)

Let's see if I can explain it using an anology that many here will understand...

You are what we call in some forms of martials arts (in dojo japanese) "Jukyu Sensei" Or "Student Teacher"

When a Black Belt of one style steps into the Dojo of another to learn the second style a few things can happen..

1. They accept that they are starting at square one and learn the new art, using their pervious training to excel at a slightly faster rate then a rank beginner..

2. They let their ego take over and not let go of the fact that they know nothing of the new style, and refuse to learn the new ways.

3. They try and teach their old style to the people of the new Dojo, continuously trying to convice them of their old arts superiority, and never learn the fine points and nuance of the new style...

Originally Posted by mdarnton

That's OK, Tony. As a fellow wood worker I understand. Don't waste your time trying to explain--they have their own mythology here.

Really??

Since your time here, you have gone out of your way to push your own methods of honing; showing disdain & contempt for any other method. What's worse is your sarcastic, condescending attitude.

I would think, Michael, that a person of your woodworking skills would contribute a lot to a forum, that often needs/uses skills such as yours, to complete scales, cases, cabinets, etc.,,,,,

Do everyone a benefit contribute something positive, Please.

Originally Posted by mdarnton

That's OK, Tony. As a fellow wood worker I understand. Don't waste your time trying to explain--they have their own mythology here, and it's not productive to challenge another's religion. ;-)

I sharpen lots of woodworking tools, kitchen knives, knives and tools, still don't get what would be so different from razors.
Sure I don't sharpen them the same way, almost all tools can benefit from some special stones or sharpening technique.
All my tools are tested in their own field of use, wood tools on wood and so on.
The main difference i can think of would be that if a plane blade shaves wood good then it's fine, a razor is doing it's work on me and I don't want it to cut down thru my skin.
But the same goes for some kitchen knives, if I'm trimming some tenderloin I don't want my knife as sharp as possible, I want it to be able to follow the sinows and membrane without cutting it.
Care to give a brief insight into their "religion"?

Wow, I don't know about anyone else but after a certain point these types of threads can give me a headache. In the end it all seems like semantics with most all wanting an edge that is sharp enough for shaving and at the same time easy on the face. Everyone has a slightly different way of getting there and even then what qualifies as sharp enough and easy on the face varies with the individual. There is no set piece method of getting there and even the desired end result is not really universally quantifiable.

Bob

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Let's see if I can explain it using an anology that many here will understand...

Well, since you know everything already, no further comments are needed, right?

It warms my heart to know the experts are still discussing what the word 'sharp' means!

Originally Posted by mdarnton

Well, since you know everything already, no further comments are needed, right?

I suggest this thread be kept civil and the personal feelings be put aside along with the little "jab comments"
Let's get it back on track and do what most come here for...gather information and learn. Thank you.

Well, while we are all flexing our muscles let me jump in front of the mirror and pose!

I bought my first hone 27 years ago (a DMT plate that I still use today, actually). I began honing, grinding, Reprofiling, modifying, and improving on all sorts of sharpened steel things. The fact that I still have every diamond hone I ever bought, and they still work beautifully might demonstrate that I know what I'm doing and I take care of my stuff.

I have probably sharpened several miles of edge over the years including some pretty exotic super steels used in high end knives and competition choppers.

With all this "knowledge" of edge working, I scoffed at razor honers and their "sacred religion" just like some others. I tossed their advice to the side and restored three razors (with frowns, rust, and badly shaped bevels). I was able to repair them with ease and hone them back to a slight smile with ice uniform bevels that shaved my face as comfortably as any of my beautifully honed knives...which is to say QUITE uncomfortably!

I quickly figured that all these guys spouting about how comfortable and close their straight shaves were probably were not smoking crack, but rather were onto something I had not yet learned.

Behold!!! After over a quarter century I had NOT learned everything there is to know about honing...what a concept!!!!

Listen up. If you think you know everything...you are probably the biggest idiot here. This is not an insult, it's just an observation I have made over the years from talking to some of the BEST knife and razor makers over the years (notice I said MAKERS and not USERS). The best ones will always shut up and listen to almost anyone...because you never know where the next breakthrough will come from (and we all only have so many hours on this dirt ball...so if you can get help finding new destinations faster, it only makes sense to listen). That said...it doesn't take long to figure out who is sharing findings from doing good work, and those that are parroting what they heard from another "expert".

Again no offense. I like to think of myself as fairly humble...and fairly accomplished when it comes to working steels. But I'm never above believing that I can learn something new or improve my craft.

I'll use this opportunity to thank those here who have helped me (you know who you are)