Sharpening Know-How Database

[Henry lombard]

Hey folks,

I’ve been spending too much iPad time recently researching guided sharpening systems and stones and generally just geeking out on sharpness.

As a result, I came across a fascinating website with a plethora of information that I really wanted to pass along.

The site is https://scienceofsharp.com/home/ and I’m only 5% or so through reading various articles. Here is the general outline:

Quantifying Sharp

Definitions of Sharp and Keen

Sharp and Keen part 2

A Comparison of Several Manufactured Blades

The Bevel Set

The Honing Progression

The Diamond Plate Progression

It’s too big of a jump!

SWARF!

Abrasion rate vs “Grit”

Grit, Scratches and Sub-Surface Damage – Part 1

What is a Burr? – part 1

What is a Burr? – part 2

Burr Removal – part 1

What Does Stropping Do?

What Does Steeling Do? (part 1)

What Does Steeling Do? (part 2): The Card Scraper

Abrasive Particles Under the SEM

Optical vs Electron Microscopy

Diamond Plate break-in – part 1

Diamond Plate break-in – part 2

The Pasted Strop – part 1

The Pasted Strop – part 2

The Pasted Strop – part 3

The Pasted Strop – part 4

Simple Straight Razor Honing

Dulling on Glass

Does Jnat Slurry Break Down?

Jnat Slurry – part 2

Carbides in Maxamet

The Barber Hone

Sharpening on the King 1k/6k combination stone

Ceramic Blades

good luck out there!

 

[HeavyHanded]

Thought I'd post this up to compliment the "Science of Sharp" link.

Well researched and explained, while largely devoted to woodworking tools, is applicable to all finer edge work and geometry generally, Brent Beach's sharpening pages:

https://brentbeach.ca/Sharpen/index.html
---------------------------------------------------------------

And these are a fantastic resource esp for minimalist or those into tinkering or learning some history:

Part 1:
https://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info 20m/grinding_and_honing_part_1.pdf

and part 2:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...g_part_2.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3_wOsJX19We7EsRTJ3flfX

 

[maximus83]

Nice. Would it make sense for mods to add to or create a new sticky, and combine the top-level site links to great sharpening research and resources? "Top sharpening research and guidance sites" or something like that. Links organized by 3 categories: Beginner/Experienced/Advanced.

A few candidates to get started, just ideas. And not meant to exclude anybody's site, just a few that came to mind and saved in my bookmarks, along with HH's link.

* Brent's Sharpening pages: https://brentbeach.ca/Sharpen/index.html
* Traditional Knife Sharpening (Jason B series): The first sharpening | BladeForums.com
* CKTG Knife sharpening tutorials: Knife Sharpening Tutorials (chefknivestogo.com)
* The Science of Sharp: Home – scienceofsharp
* Buck: How to sharpen your knife. How to Sharpen Your Knife - Buck Product Education - Buck® Knives OFFICIAL SITE
* Knife steel nerds (info not so much on sharpening but on steels, impact on edge performance, etc.): https://knifesteelnerds.com/
* Knife grinders sharpening resources: Knife Grinders

- Knife grinders book on sharpening (using Tormek): Knife Grinders​

 

[Blues]

I'll combine these and rename the thread.

The main thing is not to turn it into a vehicle for overt advertising of non-supporting vendors which would incur Spark's wrath. So once the thread is started, please be judicious or it may go the way of the dodo.

That said, knowledge is power.

Give me a minute or two to get it up in the sticky area.

ETA: Done. If in doubt or any questions, shoot me a PM.

 

[jpm2]

And these are a fantastic resource esp for minimalist or those into tinkering or learning some history:

Part 1:
https://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info 20m/grinding_and_honing_part_1.pdf

and part 2:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjfwbyfwNLtAhVQpFkKHS5oC0UQFjAAegQIBBAC&url=https://bosq.home.xs4all.nl/info%2020m/grinding_and_honing_part_2.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3_wOsJX19We7EsRTJ3flfX

I really enjoyed these articles.

Learning the composition of abrasives, different types, how they were made/formed, physical properties, why they abrade, what's happening to them during the sharpening process... plus a whole lot more.
I find all this helpful in understanding why certain abrasives act the way they do, are selected depending on what is being sharpened, are selected depending on what stage of the process you're in, and the final results desired.

A short time ago, the question was asked, "why waterstones?", in which there's been a lot of discussion. I think this article is a good source for answering that.

 

[HeavyHanded]

I really enjoyed these articles.

Learning the composition of abrasives, different types, how they were made/formed, physical properties, why they abrade, what's happening to them during the sharpening process... plus a whole lot more.
I find all this helpful in understanding why certain abrasives act the way they do, are selected depending on what is being sharpened, are selected depending on what stage of the process you're in, and the final results desired.

A short time ago, the question was asked, "why waterstones?", in which there's been a lot of discussion. I think this article is a good source for answering that.

Those two bits of research should be required reading, it really gives a solid jump off point for understanding how a lot of this stuff works, and is written in a nice easy to read style.