Thread: Razor sharpness compared to other types of blades

Assume you have a sword, straight razor, and a scalpel made of the same steel. Sharpen each at the same included angle on the same hones. All will have the same edge sharpness... The only differences will be because of the blade thickness (i.e. the razor will flex more).

Keep narrowing the included bevel angle until the edge starts to chip or roll too easily. Increase the bevel angle slightly to obtain the maximum (in theory) sharpness available to the steel in use.

There are some "high tech", expensive sharpness testers available. The testing media used by the machines has to be very uniform and the standards are not very well agreed upon. Sort of a very niche product. Sharpness tester.

You're buddies are probably mistaken. I believe a straight can be made every bit as sharp as any other instrument. Mr. Parker could give us a good scientific explanation for this but I'll try on more laymen's terms.

Search for a link to the Verhoven paper. Professor Verhoven did a series of experiments on sharpness etc. Everything maxes out at a certain level (@4k). After that it's all about how smooth the edges of the bevel are. Modern production razors user teflon coatings and I suspect scalpels might as well. But whatever the circumstance the bottom line is I think straights can be made every bit as sharp as anything else.

Best Regards,
EL