Hold the clean, dry edge under a bright light and slowly rotate it. A properly apexed section reflects little light; bright points or lines can indicate flattened areas, chips, or a rolled edge. View ...
A 15-degree-per-side edge presents a narrower wedge than a 20-degree-per-side edge, assuming the blade thickness and grind remain equal. It generally separates material with less displacement, which c...
A burr usually bends away from the side most recently sharpened. If the final strokes were made on the right face, the burr will generally lean toward the left. Alternating strokes can leave it in pat...
Before deciding when to switch sides, determine whether the knife needs full sharpening or a light touch-up. Full sharpening corrects substantial dullness, chips, or a rounded apex, often across sever...
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. A recurve should move continuously across the abrasive...
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. Crucible Industries’ CPM S30V data sheet attributes th...
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. A sharpener’s scale is usually referenced to a particu...
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. Guided sharpener or whetstone: what actually separates...
Sharpening angles are commonly expressed as degrees per side (DPS), but some instructions give the included angle across both bevels. A 15° angle on each side produces a 30° included angle. Confusing ...
Read the pattern, not one cut A single failed cut does not establish that the whole edge is dull. Repeating the same cut at the heel, belly, and tip separates localized damage from general wear. A few...