Is there a consensus sharpest folder?

[Doc Dan]

I've had two uber sharp knives. They would cleanly cut free hanging toilet paper and pass the hanging hair test. Those two knives are the Knifeworks 204P Delica and the ZDP-189 Caly3.

[TkoK83Spy]

I've had two uber sharp knives. They would cleanly cut free hanging toilet paper and pass the hanging hair test. Those two knives are the Knifeworks 204P Delica and the ZDP-189 Caly3.

I remember when you got that Delica and talked about how sharp it was. Cool to see it still holds that prestige for you.

[Ramonade]

I’ve read several people mention their new Spyderco folder is “the sharpest knife out of the box I own.” Is there a consensus sharpest model/steel or is this just anecdotal?

Every knife ends up being sharpened but you can buy 3 PM2 in S45VN and they'll all have a different level of sharpness.
A good way to see it is to find youtube videos made by OCD 4 EDC, this guy always passes his new Spydercos on a bess tester. You can see that they're always plenty sharp, but some are more than others, even between the same model

[Naperville]

I’ve read several people mention their new Spyderco folder is “the sharpest knife out of the box I own.” Is there a consensus sharpest model/steel or is this just anecdotal?

There are a couple of websites that have in depth scientific research on steels, Knife Nerds is one, and there is another site on the science of the edge....somebody can post links to these 2 sites.

I've been around a while and have forgotten most of what I read but the science on what the sharpest edge geometry and sharpest steel is not 100% settled(I think), but they have an idea of what is happening due to photography of the blades and steels.

The steels that are used in knives are actually an amalgam, like concrete. Knife steels keep getting better and better in all attributes over time. There is no end to what can be achieved as long as the science and engineering in metallurgy continues to progress.

[Doc Dan]

I've had two uber sharp knives. They would cleanly cut free hanging toilet paper and pass the hanging hair test. Those two knives are the Knifeworks 204P Delica and the ZDP-189 Caly3.

I remember when you got that Delica and talked about how sharp it was. Cool to see it still holds that prestige for you.

Yeah, whoever sharpened it knew what they were doing. Sadly, my skills, while okay, are not that good (though I did manage it free hand when I was a lot younger and more patient).

[HolySteel]

I have read where members claim a certain model had the sharpest factory edge ever. My experience would be just the opposite with the same model - this has happened more than once. Not saying sharpness from the factory is random, but it's not 100% consistent. My Maxamet blades have all been very sharp.

[BIGSTRETCH]

delete

[jwbnyc]

I don’t have a data point on which knife came sharpest out of the box in my collection. What I can tell you is that the best cutting knives that I have are the Delicas. That’s not just based on blade stock or sharpness. It’s the knife design as well. Cuts are not only easy, but easy to make accurately.

[petz462]

I don’t have a data point on which knife came sharpest out of the box in my collection. What I can tell you is that the best cutting knives that I have are the Delicas. That’s not just based on blade stock or sharpness. It’s the knife design as well. Cuts are not only easy, but easy to make accurately.

That adds even more anticipation for the upcoming High Performance Delica, it should be a winner!!! Hope it arrives soon...

[jwbnyc]

I’m waiting on that one too.

[vivi]

I wouldn't get too hung up on factory edges.

Years ago I made a home made bess tester. Basically a wooden jig to hold a piece of thread on top of a scale.

I'd measure knives with the factory edge and they'd usually take 100-200 grams of force to push cut the thread.

When I sharpened them myself I'd score between 30-80 grams, which is better than new razor blades would score for me.

With a little practice it's not difficult to get them sharper than the factory does. They do a tremendous job from the factory but at home you can take your time and use whatever sharpening tools you want. In the factory they're not spending an hour doing a 7 step grit progression on your knife.

[Dodge]

Of the 300+ folders I have or had, The one that I can say was the sharpest is the 93mm rescue plain edge. I know it’s cliche but that thing would split hair out of the box.