Just how sharp?

[Handlewithcare]

If anyone is interested, Paladin has been bragging about German Eye stainless in a few posts, so with my recent purchase of a Lockback (see previous post), I thought I would share my experiences with sharpening.

I love to sharpen knives and love to teach folks how to do it - particularly my children and grandchildren.

My method is Norton Pike stone then leather. I use 1000 grit sandpaper also from time to time if an edge is stubborn. So, course side Norton stone, fine side Norton stone, leather. If not razor sharp I go back to sandpaper, then leather until razor sharp.

For comparison, yesterday I sharpened three knives - 1) 1974 Case 6318 carbon steel 2) Benchmade 3550 ATS-34 (stainless) 3) German Eye Lockback (stainless).

Results are not scientific, more based on my feel:

Ease of Sharpening:
1) German Eye - did have to use sandpaper to get a razor edge, but it got there fast from very dull
2) Benchmade - harder steel keeps edge longer, so usually only touching it up
3) Case - actually very hard to get a shaving edge with my method

Sharpness:
1) Benchmade - will cut you while you are looking at it
2) German Eye - very sharp, easily shaves hair
3) Case - will shave with heavier pressure

So, yeah, I'd say these German Eyes are good steel whether carbon or stainless. One other side note. The closest comparable steel I have seen is on a Marbles Ideal circa 2000 I use for skinning deer. These knives get very sharp and sharpen very fast.

Fire at will......

[Handlewithcare]

As a follow up, I sharpened a Case XX 6275 Moose over the weekend. My updated status:

Ease of Sharpening:
1) Case XX CS - No sandpaper to a razor edge
2) German Eye SS - did have to use sandpaper to get a razor edge, but it got there fast from very dull
3) Benchmade SS - harder steel keeps edge longer, so usually only touching it up
4) Case USA CS - actually very hard to get a shaving edge with my method

Sharpness:
1) Benchmade SS - will cut you while you are looking at it
2) Case XX CS - sharpness rivals Benchmade
2) German Eye SS - very sharp, easily shaves hair
3) Case USA CS - will shave with heavier pressure

I have not yet sharpened a carbon steel German Eye. Will continue to update as I try others.

[Paladin]

Good info. Thanks for posting.

Ray