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How to test the sharpness of a knife?


What type of knife should I carry while rock climbing?Canadian Law with respect to knivesWhat are some simple tasks to teach knife safety?Tactical Folder vs traditional knife patterns for EDCHave mainstream knife steels improved in the last generation?Restore knife to factory sharp conditionAre there any non-legal advantages of a non-locking knife?How can I make an obsidian knife?How to sharpen a peculiar looking knifeHow to follow an existing angle when sharpening?













4















In order for knives to be useful, they need to be sharp. If I am sharpening one myself, how do I know when I am done?



What would be a simple easy test of whether a knife is sharp enough?






knives knife-sharpening







share|improve this question



















  • 1





    Note that after honing and using knives repeatedly in similar situations, you will start to learn when the knife is honed to the finest edge without testing. The way the knife feels against the steel tells you where it is in the honing process, once you've learned how that changes with sharpness. And also you can learn to feel the sharpness with a thumb, but it's hard to describe what it feels like - you just have to feel it and then try using the knife and then remember which feelings match with more sharpness. At home the ultimate test is a ripe tomato (IMHO).

    – Todd Wilcox
    1 hour ago
















4















In order for knives to be useful, they need to be sharp. If I am sharpening one myself, how do I know when I am done?



What would be a simple easy test of whether a knife is sharp enough?






knives knife-sharpening







share|improve this question



















  • 1





    Note that after honing and using knives repeatedly in similar situations, you will start to learn when the knife is honed to the finest edge without testing. The way the knife feels against the steel tells you where it is in the honing process, once you've learned how that changes with sharpness. And also you can learn to feel the sharpness with a thumb, but it's hard to describe what it feels like - you just have to feel it and then try using the knife and then remember which feelings match with more sharpness. At home the ultimate test is a ripe tomato (IMHO).

    – Todd Wilcox
    1 hour ago














4












4








4








In order for knives to be useful, they need to be sharp. If I am sharpening one myself, how do I know when I am done?



What would be a simple easy test of whether a knife is sharp enough?






knives knife-sharpening







share|improve this question
















In order for knives to be useful, they need to be sharp. If I am sharpening one myself, how do I know when I am done?



What would be a simple easy test of whether a knife is sharp enough?






knives knife-sharpening




knives knife-sharpening






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 8 hours ago







Charlie Brumbaugh

















asked 8 hours ago









Charlie BrumbaughCharlie Brumbaugh

49.1k16138281




49.1k16138281







  • 1





    Note that after honing and using knives repeatedly in similar situations, you will start to learn when the knife is honed to the finest edge without testing. The way the knife feels against the steel tells you where it is in the honing process, once you've learned how that changes with sharpness. And also you can learn to feel the sharpness with a thumb, but it's hard to describe what it feels like - you just have to feel it and then try using the knife and then remember which feelings match with more sharpness. At home the ultimate test is a ripe tomato (IMHO).

    – Todd Wilcox
    1 hour ago













  • 1





    Note that after honing and using knives repeatedly in similar situations, you will start to learn when the knife is honed to the finest edge without testing. The way the knife feels against the steel tells you where it is in the honing process, once you've learned how that changes with sharpness. And also you can learn to feel the sharpness with a thumb, but it's hard to describe what it feels like - you just have to feel it and then try using the knife and then remember which feelings match with more sharpness. At home the ultimate test is a ripe tomato (IMHO).

    – Todd Wilcox
    1 hour ago








1




1





Note that after honing and using knives repeatedly in similar situations, you will start to learn when the knife is honed to the finest edge without testing. The way the knife feels against the steel tells you where it is in the honing process, once you've learned how that changes with sharpness. And also you can learn to feel the sharpness with a thumb, but it's hard to describe what it feels like - you just have to feel it and then try using the knife and then remember which feelings match with more sharpness. At home the ultimate test is a ripe tomato (IMHO).

– Todd Wilcox
1 hour ago






Note that after honing and using knives repeatedly in similar situations, you will start to learn when the knife is honed to the finest edge without testing. The way the knife feels against the steel tells you where it is in the honing process, once you've learned how that changes with sharpness. And also you can learn to feel the sharpness with a thumb, but it's hard to describe what it feels like - you just have to feel it and then try using the knife and then remember which feelings match with more sharpness. At home the ultimate test is a ripe tomato (IMHO).

– Todd Wilcox
1 hour ago











4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















9














Try to slice a piece of paper. A good sharp knife makes a clean cut. A dull knife makes either a ragged cut, or worse, just pushes the paper to the side. I like this article: https://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2014/08/paper-cut-testing-blade-sharpness#page-4 and YouTube is full of videos of people showing off their knives via this test.






share|improve this answer






























    7














    The back of a fingernail can be a good rough indicator while you're sharpening - see if it "catches" when you apply very gentle pressure at ~45 degree angle. This can also be a good way to check if the edge still has any dull spots.






    share|improve this answer






























      1














      You hold it edge up and then you let a silk scarf slowly float down over it. It should be cut neatly in half.






      share|improve this answer


















      • 1





        Ah yes, let me just whip out one of my collection of silk scarves that I keep for just this occasion and - what the? Kevin Costner and/or Whitney Houston!? What are you doing here?

        – MikeTheLiar
        1 hour ago






      • 1





        @MikeTheLiar if you're not traveling with your juggling kit, you're not prepared for the outdoors.

        – Sdarb
        59 mins ago


















      0














      the best test for if your knife is sharp enough is to place it in a stream with the water flowing over the blade. If your knife is sharp, leaves and fish that flow past it will be cut, but if it's the sharpest, then only leaves will be cut but fish will be okay.



      source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune#Legends_of_Masamune_and_Muramasa






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.















      • 1





        -1 A legend is no answer.

        – Jan Doggen
        47 mins ago











      • We're looking for stuff that works in the real world, not stuff that works in legends.

        – Mark
        42 mins ago










      Your Answer








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      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes








      4 Answers
      4






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      9














      Try to slice a piece of paper. A good sharp knife makes a clean cut. A dull knife makes either a ragged cut, or worse, just pushes the paper to the side. I like this article: https://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2014/08/paper-cut-testing-blade-sharpness#page-4 and YouTube is full of videos of people showing off their knives via this test.






      share|improve this answer



























        9














        Try to slice a piece of paper. A good sharp knife makes a clean cut. A dull knife makes either a ragged cut, or worse, just pushes the paper to the side. I like this article: https://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2014/08/paper-cut-testing-blade-sharpness#page-4 and YouTube is full of videos of people showing off their knives via this test.






        share|improve this answer

























          9












          9








          9







          Try to slice a piece of paper. A good sharp knife makes a clean cut. A dull knife makes either a ragged cut, or worse, just pushes the paper to the side. I like this article: https://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2014/08/paper-cut-testing-blade-sharpness#page-4 and YouTube is full of videos of people showing off their knives via this test.






          share|improve this answer













          Try to slice a piece of paper. A good sharp knife makes a clean cut. A dull knife makes either a ragged cut, or worse, just pushes the paper to the side. I like this article: https://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2014/08/paper-cut-testing-blade-sharpness#page-4 and YouTube is full of videos of people showing off their knives via this test.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 7 hours ago









          cobaltduckcobaltduck

          3,4611029




          3,4611029





















              7














              The back of a fingernail can be a good rough indicator while you're sharpening - see if it "catches" when you apply very gentle pressure at ~45 degree angle. This can also be a good way to check if the edge still has any dull spots.






              share|improve this answer



























                7














                The back of a fingernail can be a good rough indicator while you're sharpening - see if it "catches" when you apply very gentle pressure at ~45 degree angle. This can also be a good way to check if the edge still has any dull spots.






                share|improve this answer

























                  7












                  7








                  7







                  The back of a fingernail can be a good rough indicator while you're sharpening - see if it "catches" when you apply very gentle pressure at ~45 degree angle. This can also be a good way to check if the edge still has any dull spots.






                  share|improve this answer













                  The back of a fingernail can be a good rough indicator while you're sharpening - see if it "catches" when you apply very gentle pressure at ~45 degree angle. This can also be a good way to check if the edge still has any dull spots.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 5 hours ago









                  Matt TyersMatt Tyers

                  4045




                  4045





















                      1














                      You hold it edge up and then you let a silk scarf slowly float down over it. It should be cut neatly in half.






                      share|improve this answer


















                      • 1





                        Ah yes, let me just whip out one of my collection of silk scarves that I keep for just this occasion and - what the? Kevin Costner and/or Whitney Houston!? What are you doing here?

                        – MikeTheLiar
                        1 hour ago






                      • 1





                        @MikeTheLiar if you're not traveling with your juggling kit, you're not prepared for the outdoors.

                        – Sdarb
                        59 mins ago















                      1














                      You hold it edge up and then you let a silk scarf slowly float down over it. It should be cut neatly in half.






                      share|improve this answer


















                      • 1





                        Ah yes, let me just whip out one of my collection of silk scarves that I keep for just this occasion and - what the? Kevin Costner and/or Whitney Houston!? What are you doing here?

                        – MikeTheLiar
                        1 hour ago






                      • 1





                        @MikeTheLiar if you're not traveling with your juggling kit, you're not prepared for the outdoors.

                        – Sdarb
                        59 mins ago













                      1












                      1








                      1







                      You hold it edge up and then you let a silk scarf slowly float down over it. It should be cut neatly in half.






                      share|improve this answer













                      You hold it edge up and then you let a silk scarf slowly float down over it. It should be cut neatly in half.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered 3 hours ago









                      Tomas ByTomas By

                      21313




                      21313







                      • 1





                        Ah yes, let me just whip out one of my collection of silk scarves that I keep for just this occasion and - what the? Kevin Costner and/or Whitney Houston!? What are you doing here?

                        – MikeTheLiar
                        1 hour ago






                      • 1





                        @MikeTheLiar if you're not traveling with your juggling kit, you're not prepared for the outdoors.

                        – Sdarb
                        59 mins ago












                      • 1





                        Ah yes, let me just whip out one of my collection of silk scarves that I keep for just this occasion and - what the? Kevin Costner and/or Whitney Houston!? What are you doing here?

                        – MikeTheLiar
                        1 hour ago






                      • 1





                        @MikeTheLiar if you're not traveling with your juggling kit, you're not prepared for the outdoors.

                        – Sdarb
                        59 mins ago







                      1




                      1





                      Ah yes, let me just whip out one of my collection of silk scarves that I keep for just this occasion and - what the? Kevin Costner and/or Whitney Houston!? What are you doing here?

                      – MikeTheLiar
                      1 hour ago





                      Ah yes, let me just whip out one of my collection of silk scarves that I keep for just this occasion and - what the? Kevin Costner and/or Whitney Houston!? What are you doing here?

                      – MikeTheLiar
                      1 hour ago




                      1




                      1





                      @MikeTheLiar if you're not traveling with your juggling kit, you're not prepared for the outdoors.

                      – Sdarb
                      59 mins ago





                      @MikeTheLiar if you're not traveling with your juggling kit, you're not prepared for the outdoors.

                      – Sdarb
                      59 mins ago











                      0














                      the best test for if your knife is sharp enough is to place it in a stream with the water flowing over the blade. If your knife is sharp, leaves and fish that flow past it will be cut, but if it's the sharpest, then only leaves will be cut but fish will be okay.



                      source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune#Legends_of_Masamune_and_Muramasa






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.















                      • 1





                        -1 A legend is no answer.

                        – Jan Doggen
                        47 mins ago











                      • We're looking for stuff that works in the real world, not stuff that works in legends.

                        – Mark
                        42 mins ago















                      0














                      the best test for if your knife is sharp enough is to place it in a stream with the water flowing over the blade. If your knife is sharp, leaves and fish that flow past it will be cut, but if it's the sharpest, then only leaves will be cut but fish will be okay.



                      source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune#Legends_of_Masamune_and_Muramasa






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.















                      • 1





                        -1 A legend is no answer.

                        – Jan Doggen
                        47 mins ago











                      • We're looking for stuff that works in the real world, not stuff that works in legends.

                        – Mark
                        42 mins ago













                      0












                      0








                      0







                      the best test for if your knife is sharp enough is to place it in a stream with the water flowing over the blade. If your knife is sharp, leaves and fish that flow past it will be cut, but if it's the sharpest, then only leaves will be cut but fish will be okay.



                      source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune#Legends_of_Masamune_and_Muramasa






                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.










                      the best test for if your knife is sharp enough is to place it in a stream with the water flowing over the blade. If your knife is sharp, leaves and fish that flow past it will be cut, but if it's the sharpest, then only leaves will be cut but fish will be okay.



                      source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masamune#Legends_of_Masamune_and_Muramasa







                      share|improve this answer








                      New contributor




                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer






                      New contributor




                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                      answered 2 hours ago









                      SdarbSdarb

                      1333




                      1333




                      New contributor




                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.





                      New contributor





                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.






                      Sdarb is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                      Check out our Code of Conduct.







                      • 1





                        -1 A legend is no answer.

                        – Jan Doggen
                        47 mins ago











                      • We're looking for stuff that works in the real world, not stuff that works in legends.

                        – Mark
                        42 mins ago












                      • 1





                        -1 A legend is no answer.

                        – Jan Doggen
                        47 mins ago











                      • We're looking for stuff that works in the real world, not stuff that works in legends.

                        – Mark
                        42 mins ago







                      1




                      1





                      -1 A legend is no answer.

                      – Jan Doggen
                      47 mins ago





                      -1 A legend is no answer.

                      – Jan Doggen
                      47 mins ago













                      We're looking for stuff that works in the real world, not stuff that works in legends.

                      – Mark
                      42 mins ago





                      We're looking for stuff that works in the real world, not stuff that works in legends.

                      – Mark
                      42 mins ago

















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