Sharpness test No.2

[mirage]

Having thrown down the gauntlet in this thread (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6508&highlight=cylinder) with no response, I thought I'd up the ante.

This time I used one sheet of A4 typing paper rolled into a 1" cylinder. The cylinder was taped top & bottom to prevent unravelling.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/maximusotter/Trailmaster%20Seb%20cut%20test/2004_1216Trailmaster_Seb_test0001.jpg

Yes, that is a Cold Steel Trailmaster bowie.

Come on, lads; I'm getting cocky here!

mirage "The uncontested king of sharpening on BB"?

[trojanargus]

Come on, lads; I'm getting cocky here!



Take you hand out of your pocket then :rolleyes:

[The General]

Hmmm, I think I will have to challenge you on this little test...

Watch this space! :)

Now... what knife to use...

[Anarcus]

Those are very nice toys.
I'd love to see it done with a basic Victorinox 8" cooks knife and perhaps an Opinel #9 Because I have both and no way Amigo for me :censored:

[Andy]

mirage "The uncontested king of sharpening on BB"?

I think we need to have a freehand sharpen to be king. You said yourself anyone can use your system. (I go back to sheffield tonight)

[shing]

Looks like I'll have to try that with my CS TM as well

[Basemetal]

Interesting test (and challenge).

For fairness and repeatability....

what weight of paper was it? 70,80,90 or 100 g/m2
(Usually clearly marked on the packet)

And how many "layers" end up in your roll?

:noggin:

[Danzo]

I'm gonna use my Skirmish........

;)

Danzo

[Hellz]

http://www.hellzteeth.com/reviews/Spyderco_penknife/penknife9.JPG

The Spyderco UK Penknife :approve:

[joesdad]

http://photos1.flickr.com/2312797_00d7906ce6.jpg
i'll see your trailmaster and raise you my homemade,hand sharpened bowie :D

[Andy]

I'd love to see it done with a basic Victorinox 8" cooks knife

Is a victorinox boning knife close enough? I'll sort it out at some point

[Alick]

OK then, just picking taking them out and trying them as is, here are my results with 80gsm standard copier paper:

Spydie military - factory edge - pass
Gene Ingram #20 - makers edge - blitzed it !
Evo 1- pass - & nukes double folded (whole) broadsheet newspapers even better
Alan Wood Woodlore - easy
Kai wasabi cooks knife - mediocre pass
BRKT Northstar - factory edge - pass

Seems to me this test is all about getting the initial bite into the paper, then the cut is easy. The sharper the blade, the rounder the cut. Less sharp blades need more pressure to bite and this leads to "corners" in the cut.

Longer blades have more time to bite and still have edge remaining to complete the cut.

The test I like best is the one Sal Glesser uses at the start of the sharpmaker video when he cuts a circle of paper out of a sheet held freehand. There's a knack to it I don't doubt but it needs a mighty fine edge. The best I've ever managed with anything was about 3/4 or a circle.

Come on Wayne - we've gotto have an entry from you on this :noggin:

Cheers :D

[Kevin]

Are these push cuts (slowly drawing the edge across to cut), or is the paper free standing and cut swiftly with one swipe?

[Andy]

free standing in my case.

Maybe hanging would be a good test.

[Kevin]

Thought I would have a go with one of my own knives.....

I balanced the newspaper on the table..not stuck down or held in anyway.

http://216.46.248.210/pixc/coutel/newspaper.jpg

One swift cut.....

http://216.46.248.210/pixc/coutel/cut.jpg

[Colin KC]

And?

[Colin KC]

:rolleyes: didn't see the second pic:rolleyes:

[Kevin]

:rolleyes: didn't see the second pic:rolleyes:

I thought you had laser eye surgery recently....or was that only in one eye :)

[Colin KC]

Errrr, it took a while to load up, errmmm, well, I'll just go put me drops in then, shall I?

[Kevin]

Errrr, it took a while to load up, errmmm, well, I'll just go put me drops in then, shall I?


:D ......I am thinking about having the same done, but think I will wait to see how you improve first :)

[Stuart Ackerman]

Just a thought,

Sal Glesser used to cut the cormer off a piece of paper, using one of his BUSINESS CARDS which had been "sharpened" with a Sharpmaker creamic rod!!!!!

We doan need no stinking steel, 'cause we got CARDBOARD!!!

[The General]

Just a thought,

Sal Glesser used to cut the cormer off a piece of paper, using one of his BUSINESS CARDS which had been "sharpened" with a Sharpmaker creamic rod!!!!!

We doan need no stinking steel, 'cause we got CARDBOARD!!!

Its a trick, Sal can do that with blunt objects... I have seen it with my own eyes and spoken to him about it.

[jhobson]

There does seem to be a knack to slicing the paper roll, particularly with small blades. I think my knife passes OK on A4, easy on Motorcycle News, but I failed miserably on the free hand circle test - is there a better description anywhere? It would be a good party trick.

http://www.kamtel.demon.co.uk/SharpTestSmall.jpg

[Andy]

I had lots of problems doing it to start off with. Then I hit final hit the roll of paper:rolleye11
Most people couldn't do it with my knife though. It's all in the wrist. I use a similar hold to when I'm cutting with an axe.

[Raoul Duke]

Well my spydie Penknife can shave hairs but when i try this test it launches the roll across the room. Who said this wasn't a Bat for com, anyway.

I'm interested to know how to do this technique properly.

Andy Please explain your technique as you seem to have a special knack. Has it got anything to do with the "Then I hit final hit the roll of paper" technique you mentioned :confused2

[Andy]

ahh, the knife I was doing it with didn't shave all that well when I did the test. how polished is the edge of the penknife?
When I was doing it I tended to get the corner of the edge near the handle (air chiol bit) into the roll and sort of flik my wrist round. I did get a partial hit that cut through half the roll and smacked it against the wall

[Raoul Duke]

Clear as mud again Andy :D

The Edge was Swiped on the White Rod of the 204 sharmaker 80 times approx, so the very edge is polished but to the eye it looks production ground.

[jhobson]

The test I like best is the one Sal Glesser uses at the start of the sharpmaker video when he cuts a circle of paper out of a sheet held freehand. There's a knack to it I don't doubt but it needs a mighty fine edge. The best I've ever managed with anything was about 3/4 or a circle.

What I meant was, is there a better description of this circle test anywhere. My spyderco cricket would probably have been good for that (becasue of hooked blade profile) but I've lost it.
The technique of slicing the roll could also do with some discussion, where I think 45 degree angle is crucial, a slicing action helps (but difficult for small blade) and then speed.

[Andy]

since The General never opsted any pics is it save to save we have sharper knives?

[Stuart Ackerman]

Try it upwards...

[Jason_01]

Thats too easy, try it with a fag paper ;)

http://www.jasonbhall.freeserve.co.uk/papkniferiz.jpg

Too small to see in my pic so you'll have to take my word for it!

I wrapped the cig paper round a "Bic" pen insert to get a repeatable size, taped at the ends and then cut it with a slice while holding one end of the paper tube (remove the pen refill first :D )

Cutting the unsupported A4 roll with a slash seems to take some technique, It me took 3 or 4 goes to get a clean cut, it is easier while holding one end but not as testing!