The Mastiff wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 12:39 pm
Thanks, Joe. It seems that I am now going through that period ... and sure will end up where you are now. But it is difficult to learn from someone else's brain, you know
That is the best way to do things. It is a rewarding undertaking like most learning. Only you can decide what type edge is best suited for your individual needs. Polished edges do better at some things and not as well as others. It always pays off to have the right tool for the job. I find sharpening so relaxing that I have to be careful not to start if I'm tired. It can be dangerous. :o My experience anyways.
Don't tell me that once you started sharpening and were so tired that you ended up sleeping on the stone .... :D
I, usually, do not need to do heavy cutting (or cut rough materials). To be honest in the vast majority of the ocassions I have to look for something to cut just to have an excuse to use the EDC that is in my pocket ... :o
Thus, putting or not a polished edge is just a matter of aesthetics. When I made the question that started this thread I was looking for advice for identifing steels which never reach a good polished edge (not to waste time and remove steel from the blade for nothing) and steels which, with the appropriate care and effort, become mirrors. But during the conversation and thanks to the opinions of the forumites which generously found the time to share them, I have learned a lot.