Just how sharp?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:15 pm
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......
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......