This is really a continuation of an earlier question.

We all have a couple of knives, perhaps even a lot of knives. We all probably have several generations of sharpening equipment and tools. Stones, rods and systems. What I use depends on the item to be sharpened and its construction. The blade shape and profile have a lot to do with what I use but no matter what and how at the end of the process I check the edge for sharpness. I used to shave arm hair back when I had some left. It gets shaved back faster than it grows. I have used computer paper or newspaper but now favor the paper used in a phonebook. The stuff is thin and kinda rough texture. It takes a sharp knife to cut very thin slices. It takes an even sharper knife to cut thin slices with a single swipe while just holding one corner of a torn out sheet. The white pages a thinner than the yellow pages it seems. Plus it isn't like I ever use the phonebook to look up a number. So I have a huge supply of test material. On certain knives the phonebook is a crucial part of the sharpening process.

How do you test for sharpness?

If it will shave hair off my arm its good for me.

Usually the old arm hair test and newspaper..

I also use the phone book paper. It’s free, plentiful and really tells you sharpness and if any rough spots may be on the edge. It will get caught up on them but you have to make a few cuts to make sure. Phone book paper is so thin that even the sharpest blades will tear it if you don’t slice into it at a good angle.

If I’m out of phone book paper I prefer to see how smoothly it will sever the head off a stray Zombie.

But that’s just me.

My most recent test is to see if it will go through a fingernail after sharpening...and yes it does.

Yeah, when it will shave arm hair without scraping the skin, it's sharp enough for me.

Here's a tip:

Once you figure out a good test for sharpness, take the time to learn the feel of a sharp blade.

I drag my thumb finger across (not along) the blade very lightly. A sharp blade will grab.

Once you learn the feel you can test for sharpness this way, saving your hair and phone books for whatever other use you may find for them.

While not my favorite test...

seeing blood but not realizing I was cut. Works everytime.

quote:

Originally posted by Rezarf <><:
While not my favorite test...

seeing blood but not realizing I was cut. Works everytime.

Yes - agreed...it's that pause pause...gee I just got cut!

Note: Using an Edge Pro can be hazardous to your health in the wrong hands...(like mine.)