Is Your Knife REALLY Sharp? Knife Sharpness Tester...Exposed!

[@JohannSwart_JWS]

For me, a knife has just 3 sharpnesses: "nah", "that'll do", and "holy crap".

[@UlukaBayne]

Haven’t looked at this channel for about ten years until I just remembered it. The man has not aged a day in the time I’ve been gone😂🤙

[@ironhead65]

Helpful tips for the this type of sharpness tester: - center the media holder, you are dealing with grams and I find if the media holder touches an edge, it can affect the reading - center the blade in the media, if the blade cuts through the media near an edge, it affects the reading - the closest aftermarket media I found is Daiwa JFS7-220 J-Fluoro Samurai Fluorocarbon Line. The media needs to be fluorocarbon and 7 lb line weight. I can’t recall the thickness, but the product I mentioned matches. When testing, over 9 tests each (official vs the fishing line), I had nearly no variation - understand this is relative sharpness (like measuring hardness) - the clips are exactly produced with repeatability. That is their purpose. Use the one where you pull it tight by hand for general testing as you are working the blade (costs less), then use the clips to get an actual reading. - I use a small spring clip with a 100g weight to stretch the test media (fishing line). This makes it a consistent stretch, and gets you more consistently closer to the actual pre-stretched test media. Also gives you that third hand to hold the line taught as you tighten the thumb nut! Consistency is the key!! Test at least three times, throw out any wild miners, as it is likely that was you or something in the test setup for that run.

[@buckhorncortez]

I've had a BESS tester for about five years. Valuable tool for sharpness testing especially with serrated blades or Granton edge knives. With careful use, you can test both the concave and convex portions of the blade for equal sharpness. It's also useful in finding how different steel types sharpen differently and how you have to adjust sharpening methods.

[@billmanning8806]

I sharpen and have an Edge-On-Up. Use it when I want to quantify the sharpness produced by an experimental progression. Helps me hone in on which progressions produce better results.

[@ellisallen907]

Really glad you reviewed this tool. I've been considering getting one. I really hate that I didn't get to meet you at the Gulf States Knife Makers Association show back at the end of September. Unfortunately I had to work. Hopefully you will come back and join us again next year.

[@billclancy4913]

Like all my knife making equipment, I scrimped, saved and bought it myself! Although not perfect, if used carefully it will help you rate your sharpening ability, and help you get better at sharpening. As an added bonus...most of my customers are rather impressed, when I demonstrate it on their new knife.

[@LockBits-ts6eo]

Can't imagine why I'd need one, but seems interesting. Thanks for all the videos Walter, they're unfailingly good.

[@unopine]

It's pretty cool if you want or need to quantify, with a repeatable numerical value, how sharp an edge is. For me, being able to qualify the sharpness as "needs to be sharpened" or "sharp enough" for whatever I'm using it for is sufficient.

[@chstoney]

I rigged up something similar with kitchen scales. It was not super precise but I did get useful results.

[@trplankowner3323]

Thanks Walter, I've been wondering about the details of this device. I'm hoping to see you at the Blade show. We'll have to see about that though.

[@murphymmc]

The tautness of the line in the holder would seem to make a difference, or does it? I've never had the luxury of using a good mechanical sharpener. I use an assortment of diamond and water stones that I've acquired over the years. Yep, slow process to do initial sharpening, not so much after that. Mostly good chisels, plane irons. Knives as well, understanding the edge geometry for the knife purpose is just a fun part of the process. I'll spend the money on a good stone rather than a tool that tells me what I've already figured out.

[@billmanning8806]

To standardize tautness I use a 100 gram weight with a magnetic clip. Easy and speedy.

[@daleb1225]

I purchased one of the Nightfall blue handle scale knives. I am no expert and have little sharpening skill. I plan to work on it using some older knives that I have. I wanted to ask about the knives you sell, are they sharpened to any specific level, or do you just put a good edge on each one?

[@computeronzin]

I think the more honestly you handle the Edge On Up PT50A, the more you can understand what influence your sharpening technique has on the sharpness of your knife. Edge On Up PT50A sharpness tester "Conspiracy reveals". kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ27qJKvodF2aJI

[@kwakamonkey]

I often see people not using the bit you put the blade on ( the post) and use it . surely that gives different results also ?

[@buckhorncortez]

"Often see"..? Really? Where? If you're not using the fulcrum to stabilize the blade, you're defeating the repeatability of the testing method.

[@BigBobNasty18]

I see it sometimes, have done it myself too. Usually just when messing around testing the sharpness of a random object or something very small, which wouldn’t allow you to use the fulcrum. But if you CAN use it then you would be getting much more accurate results. Lets you have more control smooth movement.

[@cchgn]

I routinely sharpen straght razors, and know that a USB microscope will tell the tale. I challenge folks- get your blade as sharp as you can, and then look at the edge under the scope- buzz saw blade. Then let me take it to 50K grit - hair shaving sharp. To the naked eye, a mirror finish edge is ultimately sharp. But, how sharp do you need ? As soon as you cut something, you lose razor sharpness. So, really, how sharp do you need? Tip: the right tool for the right job: you need to cut a cardboard box? Use a box cutter. Need to cut rope? Use a rope cutter. Etc. Pick your cutting battles.

[@cchgn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX7QnGh4oc6gnqc&feature=shared

[@mcguckin13]

"I haven't been paid to say this" Words to live by "I have been paid to say this" Words (for your credibility) to die by

[@MilosMitrovicShomy]

BESS score is?

[@Keith_the_knife_freak]

Very nice

[@chrisj4570g]

3D printer, fishing line, Amazon scale and one could build a similar device that produces consistent results. I’d wager the plans are already on the Interwebs.

[@BigBobNasty18]

I tried this, I guess it sorta works but the values weren’t very accurate to the BESS scale. It lets you know it’s getting sharper than before though.

[@johnwoodcock6468]

I sharpen with a norton india. Fine diamond for stainless..and strop couple stroke ands thats good enough. Itss aggressive and holds an edge and will shave your hair. Good enough

[@zumbazumba1]

For knifes its all bs ,you dont need any of it .All you need is peace of a4 copy paper and paper hand towels folded as many times as you can .As you sharpen you cut a4 paper with only weight of knife in pull motion and you observe how paper cuts and if there is any burr on paper edge. After you are done cut a towel paper and check for burr and how deep knife cuts. Thats all you need everything else is bs for a regular kitchen knife .

[@BigBobNasty18]

I think it’s more so some people like to see an actual value to see their improvement. Or maybe as a score to see how low they can get.

[@sanyok7777]

Please stop pushing this Patreon and stuff getting really sick of it