Cicero man says sharpening a knife is a fine-tuned skill

[HuntingNY-News]

Cicero man says sharpening a knife is a fine-tuned skill17 December 2010, 6:40 amJohn Berry/The Post-StandardGene Carey demonstrates his knife-sharpening technique at his Cicero home. Gene Carey knows sharp. The 61-year-old Cicero resident is a longtime member of the Onondaga Wood Carvers Club and he has a host of blades that he uses...Source: Outdoors Blog

[Doc]

He uses quite a bit different technique than I do. He's using a back and forth sawing sort of action.I generally move the knife intothe edge for almost all of the sharpening and then for just the last couple of strokes gently pull the knife away from the edge. This usually results in a razor sharp edge.

Obviously this guy has a lot more experience than I do, so next time I sharpen one of my knives, I'll be trying his technique. I think I understand what he is talking about when he compares his edge to the wavelength of light. When he says that he cannot see the edge of a properly sharpened knife, I think that is something that I have gone by for years. When I use a strong light and look right down straight at the edge, I don't want to see anything reflecting back at me. I think that is what he was saying. Absolutely if there is any surface reflecting back, the edge has a long way to go before it is anywhere near sharp. However, what I have found is that just because I can't see the edge doesn't mean you're done. That's just a quick check. My final test is to lightly drag my thumb across the edge. There is a certain feel of drag when the edge is done. I've read of all kinds of tests involving paper, and rubber bands, fingernails, etc., but I have the most confidence in checking it with my thumb.

So how do you guys put a good edge on a knife or broadhead? And how do you decide that the blade is sharp enough?

Doc

[Gthphtm]

Do not use your body parts to see if it is sharp.The best way to test if it is sharp is to take a piece of note pad or computer paper hold it on edge and if it is sharp you should be able to make 3/8" strips out of the paper with out it folding over.A good knife is made out of a good piece of steel and heat treated right to hold an edge.I have a kitchen knife I made 50 years ago and use it every day and it still holds a good edge.

[Doc]

Do not use your body parts to see if it is sharp.

Spleen works pretty good. I used to check by seeing how easy the blade went through fingers. I did that about 10 times and then ......

[132 eight pointer]

Do not use your body parts to see if it is sharp.

Spleen works pretty good. I used to check by seeing how easy the blade went through fingers. I did that about 10 times and then ......

"just a flesh wound".