The TRUTH Behind Unreal Knife Sharpness Scores - How to Spot a BESS Score CHEAT

Ever marveled at those jaw-dropping knife-sharpness BESS scores online? 🤯 Uncover the shady secret behind those unreal numbers in this eye-opening video!
Edge-on-Up Sharpness Testers: www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Edge-On-Up-C286.aspx
Join Tom at Sharpening Supplies as he pulls back the curtain on the sneaky tricks some folks use to make their blades appear razor-sharp.
Tom breaks down how the revolutionary Edge-On-Up quantifies sharpness by measuring the force required to slice through the material. No more guessing; this device offers precise results for your blade's keenness.
But hold on, the real fun begins when Tom reveals the ultimate sharpness hack that's been shaking the internet! Learn how to game the system and achieve KZbin-worthy scores without actually having a super-sharp edge. It's all about speed and swiftness - the recipe for skyrocketing your online sharpening cred. 📈🤑
Whether you're a seasoned sharpener or just a curious blade enthusiast, this video is a must-watch. Tom leaves you with legit ways to measure and boost your knife's real-world cutting prowess.
If you've already joined the ranks of sharpness maestros, drop your lowest BESS scores and tested tools in the comments - let's swap stories! 👇 And don't forget to leave a thumbs up if you're enjoying this content, plus hit that subscribe button for more mind-bending sharpening insights. ⚙️🔔

[@SharpeningSupplies]

If you enjoyed this, check out @razorbackss video that covers a few more ways unscrupulous sharpeners cheat: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imKWdXWXl5x5oKc

[@razorbackss]

Cheers fellas! Hope I wasn't out of line plugging my own video in your comments section, figured anyone watching this would find it interesting. We definitely share the same frustration.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

No, I'm glad you did. Sounds like we're both here trying to spread a little knowledge.

[@djpaintles]

The best use of this tool is for comparing your own sharpening edge to edge and only when you as consistently as possible cut the wire. Best advice is on the provided info: You CANNOT cut the wire too slowly but you CAN cut the wire too fast!

[@davidstevens8086]

I've yet to use the BESS device for any of my knives because I use it primarily for antique straight razors that I restore. I've seen in mid-40s, as lowest range of scores, on a fairly consistent basis with most of my razors. However, these scores have a lot to do with type of steel you are working with, condition of the blade, and the actual shape of the blade - just as the video indicated. Some of these razor edges have been brutally abused by the time I get them but the sharpening principles are still the same, regardless of cutting tool you are sharpening. And, just for those who are interested, I use Japanese stones primarily, with Arkansas Stones as my go to set of stones for extremely difficult straight razor edges. The one Japanese stone I've used for a couple of kitchen knives is a Kaedeyama Asagi that was mined from the Nishimono mine west of Kyoto. Nagura not needed and grit approximately 6000. As far as pocket and hunting knives, if they can shave my forearm hair, I'm satisfied with the sharpness.

[@BladeLabMiami]

I typically get BESS scores in the 75-100g range, but every now and then the stars align and I get a pretty spectacular result. 35g is the best I've ever done. That was on a Kubey Momentum folder in AUS10A steel. I'm more or less past the point where I'll spend a ton of time to get those ultra-low scores. It can be a fun challenge, but for practical purposes it's fairly pointless. Break down one cardboard box with that 35g blade and the score will jump up to around 160-200g.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

75-100g is a great place to be regularly landing. I'm usually happy with a sub 200g score on my EDC knives.

[@BladeLabMiami]

The secret sauce for me is honing on a Work Sharp Elite with leather belts. For kitchen knives, 1-2 passes on 1 micron compound at the sharpening angle plus 1 - 2°, then 1-2 passes at the 'exact' sharpening angle using Tormek PA-70 compound. For EDC knives with wear-resistant steel, the 1 micron pass is sharpening angle +0 - 1°. The higher the vanadium carbide content, the less deviation you need from the sharpening angle. Give it a try!@@SharpeningSupplies

[@SharpeningSupplies]

Thanks for sharing the secret sauce! I'll give it a go.

[@redclayoutdoors]

You can also over tighten the filament and lower the measurement

[@CGSW]

Or use the lightest monofilament you can find.

[@glenngoodlett2398]

I had people tell me they routinely get in the 20s but sometimes get 5. I didn't believe it then and now I know. My best is about 100 with a 20 dps edge.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

100 grams is great. 20 is probably doable, but I've never done it. 5 grams is most likely user error.

[@theq3500]

The lowest score I ever gotten was 111 on a Xin cutlery chef knife, interesting steel on that one. I got an 85 once on a cheap utility kitchen knife but that was because i was experimenting with a really acute angle of around 8. The steel is nowhere near able to support that kind of angle but it was a fun experiment. Both of those results were done freehand. Nowadays I just use a tsprof sharpner with an average of about 150 for both kitchen and EDC knives

[@SharpeningSupplies]

85 freehand is great, even if it was just an experiment. Most of my crazy low scores were done with guided sharpeners. Either the Work Sharp Precision Adjust or Wicked Edge.

[@srenovo]

It is fairly easy to get to range of 140 to 155 with my wicked edge but any lower score requires proper solar - moon - earth alignment or maybe its the stars. Careful honing helps for sure.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

Waiting for the correct planetary alignment is an underrated sharpening technique.

[@CGSW]

No one is talking about properly tensioning the filament. It is supposed to be tensioned to 100 grams. I heard one person say this and emailed Edge On Up to confirm.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

Good point. Over tensioning the test media is another way to get an artificially low score. However, you do need to really pull down hard on it and lock that in to make an impact on the score. If you're applying the same amount of tension to your own test media each time, then you can confidently compare your own scores, but comparing your scores to other people's would require trust that they haven't over tensioned their test media.

[@CGSW]

Think of it like a torque wrench. It just removes one important variable that is impossible to remove otherwise.@@SharpeningSupplies

[@brenttaylor8907]

So I need to attach a 100 gram weight to a clamp to pull to the right tension? I pull tight with my fingers with barely enough extra filament to grab. I have no idea how that compares to 100 grams.

[@brenttaylor8907]

Since my last comment, I found that a heavy duty 1 inch clamp from Harbor Freight with 4 quarters taped to it weighs 100.6 grams. Close enough for me.

[@toufikazar]

100% you are right because i was doing it slowly which made total sense to me. Then i thought i was keeping the thread loose. After watching tour video and checking the guys that are getting approximately 25 and 20 scores u know the ones that start with a razor blade that gived them - score of 15 and 20 grams

[@toufikazar]

And then the get a pc of shit knife, a stone maybe or s plastic pc of a toy then they sharpen it through the tumbler roller and they always get 25grams and then feel so bad that they couldn’t get it less than 15 grams and of course it is followed by a link from where to buy their product or how to send them your dull anything, maybe you laptop and they will sharpen it😅

[@robertdewalt8711]

On KZbin I have seen testing that was done way to fast. I typical get close to 150 g. On high end single bevel knife one test 95 g next was 100g. Both done slow so edge was 95-100 g. 15 degree edge I can get to 125 g, 18 degrees to 140 g, I did get one 30 degree edge to 150g. I am on wait list for more fine compound to use on leather belts on my blade grinding system.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

Those are great scores, sounds like you already know how to use the Edge-on-Up properly. Let us know what scores you get with that fine compound!

[@drmikeyb1]

So this is a reliable tester if used properly? I've always wondered if the numbers could be decetful. Great video thanks

[@SharpeningSupplies]

It's definitely a reliable tester when used properly. Lot of folks are using it properly and are able to from the results they get. But as we demonstrated, there are folks out there being deceitful.

[@drmikeyb1]

@@SharpeningSupplies thank you so much for your reply. It's a shame there's always someone out there trying to cheat. I have often wondered if actual knife companies were being misleading on the sharpness of the knife right out of the box using this procedure. Again thank you.

[@inferno]

is that wire just fishing line ?

[@SharpeningSupplies]

No, its a calibrated line designed to work with the Edge-on-Up.

[@dayliving2020]

Thank you

[@SharpeningSupplies]

You're welcome

[@robertlennie7466]

I have an Industrial one, but I’m finding that the spool media consistently gives higher scores than the clips. I’d love to hear what the professionals say on this? Is there a way to get them to match? Which is correct?

[@SharpeningSupplies]

According to Edge-on-Up, "the test clip measurements yield approximately 80% of the force required when using the BESS certified ATF10G fixture". So they won't match, but consistently testing the same edge with the same test media will give you results you can compare.

[@sheimend]

Great video! I've scored a 3, repeatably. I'm not cheating, but I am using a prototype of the world's first ultrasonic chef's knife (which is maybe kinda like cheating). When the blade is off, it scores a 160 +/- but when it's on, 3. Videos coming in the near future, and hopefully there are still some sweet, sweet, internet points to go around.

[@TorlingJarl]

I swear i could get something down to like 50ish. I've got suome nuts edges i wanna try on one of those. I gotta get the money together

[@SharpeningSupplies]

50 grams is achievable, I've gotten around there with straight razors. Haven't quite gotten there with knives myself.

[@razorbackss]

I cover this aswell as other possible methods of cheating on my channel. Most common as mentioned is over tension and fast action but it can also be done by hardening the line with a lick of a flame or time in the freezer. I see many cheaters but I dont automatically dismiss genuine insane scores. Theres a pretty strong correlation between BESS scores and various push cuts on Rizla cigarette papers. I've managed a few sub 30 bess edges on 1" blades and they could all cut a free falling hair. It should be used as a machine for ringing the absolute last bit of improvement out of your sharpening by picking up on otherwise imperceptible gains or losses, not a high score device. Too variables amongst individuals using it.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

Thanks for the comment, really enjoyed your BESS test video. Lots of great tips (and a much more balanced approach than our video 🤣). Anyone reading this can watch his video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imKWdXWXl5x5oKc

[@DoriCoplien]

I just bought one. I have had eye surgery and just can't see well enough to thread the wire with repeatable tautness. Hence, I have been using the pre-made testers. Anyone know of a reason not to. I assume they are robot made to very specific standards with the exact same wire.

[@GlenHorvat]

145 for a plane blade with 30 deg microbevel

[@ICheat_ILie_ISteal]

Tumbler rolling sharpen **Cough** **Cough** lol

[@SharpeningSupplies]

The fact that we were moved to create this video shortly after seeing some particular ads is a mere coincidence, I assure you. I hope your cough gets better soon.

[@brenttaylor8907]

The best number I have gotten was 47. That was with a cheap little cheese cleaver. My best score with a real knife was 97. Typical for me is in the 125 to 225 range.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

Nice! Sub 100 scores take some sharpening skill.

[@bamabladez]

My question is why does the 1 gram to 5 gram tester differ in price? Same exact machine but measurement is different. Where does the extra price come in. 🤔😒

[@SharpeningSupplies]

The Professional model is accurate to within 5 grams and takes 10 measurements per second. The Industrial model is accurate to within 1 gram and takes 25 measurements per second. So much of the cost comes from the more accurate internal processors. The Industrial model also comes with Test Clips and the Test Clip base.

[@joeurbanek2300]

I use a Tormek T-8 to sharpen my knives. I have both German, (thicker steel and more angle), Japanese knives, (thin harder steel and more narrow angle), and fishing knives of various angles depending on the use of the knife. I have found by working hard I can get down to about 75 give or take a little with the Japanese knives, and maybe 100 on the German knives. The fishing knives vary depending on whether used to filet or cut through bone. I keep a log of the knives when i sharpen them and see how repeatable my sharpening and scores are. Yes, a little anal on that front, but after going through various wet stones, diamond stones and now the Tormek, I can get sharper edges very repeatable results with the Tormek. These are just my personal findings.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

This sounds like the perfect use case for an Edge-on-Up. Glad you're getting good use out of it.

[@MrMZaccone]

Objective sharpness is measured by unit pressure ... period.

[@chillax1969]

You could also cheesy by softening the test media with heat before testing

[@SharpeningSupplies]

Sneaky

[@danielames3937]

I get 1 gram all the time, but I am the best in the world at sharpening.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

I was hoping the World's Greatest Sharpener would eventually find our channel. Thanks for leaving a comment.

[@jensebu78]

Great Video. Interesting! I think we all know which Videos you talking about 😅

[@SharpeningSupplies]

We had to say something!

[@jensebu78]

@@SharpeningSupplies completely understandable!

[@johnkantar]

no matter what i try i cannot get lower than 98.

[@SharpeningSupplies]

If you're after a low score, perhaps try lowering your sharpening angles by a degree or two. I've also found stropping for a little longer helps. That said, 98 is wickedly sharp, do you notice that you need a sharper edge when you're using your knives?

[@johnkantar]

its just for self satisfaction to know that i can do 50 bess would be a good achievement @@SharpeningSupplies

[@johnkantar]

it's not that i need a sharper edge, it's just a hobby I do for relaxation and I'm just trying to see how low i can go at the moment I'm at 16deg angle on d2 steel at 65 Bess

[@ianlowcock6913]

i WON'T USE SUCH MEASURING TOOLS BECAUSE THEY ARE MEANINGLESS. SWEEPING STATEMENT I KNOW, BUT EASILY JUSTIFIABLE. WHO CARES HOW SHARP THE BLADE IS IF YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR EVER AND A DAY TO ACHIEVE THAT EDGE. A GOOD STAINLESS BLADE WILL SHARPEN UP, BUT A HIGH CARBON STEEL BLADE IS MUCH EASIER TO BRING TO A USEABLE EDGE.

[@CGSW]

Mine has taught me a lot about sharpening and why you shouldn't over do it with the finer stones and especially the strops.