The Cobbler's Children Have No Shoes

[HeavyHanded]

I am pretty careful in how I turn out folk's edges, and take a lot of pride in the job the sharpening block can do in terms of a nice edge, and normally my own edges reflect this. Have been very busy lately though and every time I turn around I find I'm late getting somewhere, so not much time for non essential tasks.

Dropped my current EDU, a TOPS C.A.T. that has been stripped, reground, and seen a lot of use over the last few years. Just a few weeks ago I reground it a second time from a convex to a much thinner sabre grind than the factory and have been using it hard since.

Dropped it while making boxes at work, it landed butter side down on the concrete and chipped out in two spots. I hit it pretty good on a Washboard for 15-20 passes with a nice load of compound, enough to polish off the dinged bits that were still holding on. The rest of the edge is plenty sharp and even the ding cuts OK...

I keep meaning to get back to it, but I just keep using it and not bothering. Maybe this weekend after the daughter's fencing class, but pretty sure I'd better be buying flowers for Mother's day instead, and then an oil change and the grass is starting to come in. Maybe Sunday after a trip to the nursery and clean up my workshop and get the groceries, or maybe I should just swap it out for another knife for a few...

 

[bpeezer]

I'm also finding that I can't spend as much time sharpening anymore, so I normally try to sharpen 4-5 knives at once and rotate them out when they get dull. Carry something different for a few days, after all variety is the spice of life

 

[Komitadjie]

I'm also finding that I can't spend as much time sharpening anymore, so I normally try to sharpen 4-5 knives at once and rotate them out when they get dull. Carry something different for a few days, after all variety is the spice of life

That's what I do, generally, too. I sharpen up three or four of my favourites, then swap them out as they get dull, then resharpen them all at once.

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Martin,

Very apt description. Definitely share the same feeling, that the Cara Cara2 & Resilience have to make do. Try keeping the Resilience for shaving & the Cara Cara for other stuff, EDC wise

Luckily when at home, there're some fixed bades in 52100 that can be called upon if needed. One of them has a nice ring when used for shaving.
Having many sharp knives around indeed helps.

I think in one of your video, you have another one you also convexed & ready to use? But, if perfect hair splitting edge is not the point, as long as it cuts, no need to swap.

 

[HeavyHanded]

Martin,

Very apt description. Definitely share the same feeling, that the Cara Cara2 & Resilience have to make do. Try keeping the Resilience for shaving & the Cara Cara for other stuff, EDC wise

Luckily when at home, there're some fixed bades in 52100 that can be called upon if needed. One of them has a nice ring when used for shaving.
Having many sharp knives around indeed helps.

I think in one of your video, you have another one you also convexed & ready to use? But, if perfect hair splitting edge is not the point, as long as it cuts, no need to swap.

That's it right there. I have a drawer and tool bag sloshing with sharp tools. The brother to my CAT is under construction being converted to a much thinner convex along the order of a Bark River - will be full to the spine. In the meantime this one does what needs doing and is very comfy to carry. I also get good feedback if it needs more thinning (am pretty sure its right where I want it). Normally I'd have ground it a clean edge by now but for some reason it just isn't bothering me.

Pretty sure the cobbler's children always have shoes, just not as nice as the ones he sells. "Kids, there's nothing wrong with those shoes! Plenty of sole left, now wiggle the toe - plenty of room too! With the weather getting warmer you should be grateful for the holes."

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

Pretty sure the cobbler's children always have shoes, just not as nice as the ones he sells. "Kids, there's nothing wrong with those shoes! Plenty of sole left, now wiggle the toe - plenty of room too! With the weather getting warmer you should be grateful for the holes."

Hahaha ... Sounds so familiar though nothing wrong if they get as good shoes! I guess what really matters here is those who have the knowledge and understanding about the tools (and if willing) can work with less than ideal situation.

 

[David Martin]

I can recall those days of kids running in all directions and the parents too. Just a quick meal around the table and taking off in a new direction. Good luck, DM

 

[Rich S]

Good diamond hones (coarse then fine) will take those chips out in no time. I finish with a 600 grit diamond and then a 1000grit Smith's ceramic. Gets anything sharp enough to cut anything I wish.
Rich