What are your Supersharps?

[Evil D]

Sometimes I wonder if the mirror finish is just for looks? I'd take ugly that cuts than Purdy. But I use mine to cut materials.

On some small level, a polished bevel will have less cutting resistance than a non polished bevel, but we're talking about on a level so small that it's almost unmeasurable. So yeah, a lot of it is aesthetics, apart from edges that are truly polished to that point at the very edge, and then that's a whole different level of sharpness that performs as well as it looks (on certain material that is). I tell everyone that I sharpen knives for cutting but I polish bevels for showing off on the internet. None of my EDC blades regularly get a polished bevel. If I'm in the mood, I'll polish the bevel and then micro bevel to maintain sharpness, but usually my bevels look mostly factory.

[VashHash]

My straight razor has a mirror polished edge. It performs perfectly. This is the only time i feel the need for a mirror polished edge. No tugging or pulling at the hair it just cuts it right off.

[Evil D]

My straight razor has a mirror polished edge. It performs perfectly. This is the only time i feel the need for a mirror polished edge. No tugging or pulling at the hair it just cuts it right off.

You're dealing with push cutting one and only one kind of medium. The edge for that purpose is very specialized for it. Compared to a lower grit edge, that razor wouldn't cut cardboard nearly as aggressively nor would it hold an edge as long.

That said, I do believe most of the polished bevels you see people posting pictures of have a lower grit micro bevel.

[zinczinc]

always feel joy to see polished edge

just one question what is the last blade from op's pic?

[sinkerslider]

I only really got into sharpening my own knives about a year ago. I started with the SM but had little success with it, more an exercise in frustration than anything. About 8 months ago I took the plunge and purchased a Wicked Edge. After a learning curve and letting the stones run in, I'm very pleased with the results. I've never had knives anywhere near as sharp as I get on the WEPS, really just amazing. I also understand so much more about what I'm doing, what it means to sharpen an edge and what it takes to get there. Because of that, I'll probably give freehand sharpening a try at some point. I find the hobby to be very absorbing and satisfying. Nothing like taking a dull knife and ending up with and edge that will treetop strands of hair.

[dbcad]

always feel joy to see polished edge

just one question what is the last blade from op's pic?

That's an Urban Leaf, a slipjoint and delightful user, with a sharp edge of course Disco'd a year or 2 ago.

[dbcad]

I only really got into sharpening my own knives about a year ago. I started with the SM but had little success with it, more an exercise in frustration than anything. About 8 months ago I took the plunge and purchased a Wicked Edge. After a learning curve and letting the stones run in, I'm very pleased with the results. I've never had knives anywhere near as sharp as I get on the WEPS, really just amazing. I also understand so much more about what I'm doing, what it means to sharpen an edge and what it takes to get there. Because of that, I'll probably give freehand sharpening a try at some point. I find the hobby to be very absorbing and satisfying. Nothing like taking a dull knife and ending up with and edge that will treetop strands of hair.

We can all rejoice in the sharp regardless of the tools and techniques we have to achieve what's right for any of us :) Spydercos make a perfect platform :) Enjoy your journey as I will continue to enjoy mine :D Learning and sharing are some of the most enjoyable aspects of sharpening well :) I know some folks at work will agree with me on that

[toomzz]

The wicked edge system is a joy to use.
When testing blades (for example) mules it is a very consequent and consistent way to sharpen your knives IMHO.
Indeed, mirror polished edges, are for show, and will quickly fade out when used on non-stainless blade-edge.
And finally, when totally superstrop and supersharpen your knives on a WE and the microserrations are 'gone' the knife seems 'sharp' but not really biting the material. That is very deceiving, because the knife is extremely sharp.
Even sharpening up to 600 grit diamond makes the knife sharp enough to work with :-)))

[Evil D]

The wicked edge system is a joy to use.
When testing blades (for example) mules it is a very consequent and consistent way to sharpen your knives IMHO.
Indeed, mirror polished edges, are for show, and will quickly fade out when used on non-stainless blade-edge.
And finally, when totally superstrop and supersharpen your knives on a WE and the microserrations are 'gone' the knife seems 'sharp' but not really biting the material. That is very deceiving, because the knife is extremely sharp.
Even sharpening up to 600 grit diamond makes the knife sharp enough to work with :-)))

Yeah you would never say a highly polished edge is not sharp, but the more polished you take it the less versatile the edge becomes IMO. You'll be able to push cut newsprint super easily but like you said you lose the aggressive bite that makes cutting things like cardboard or tomatoes easier.

[MadRookie]

Agreed!

That is why I put a 500# Shapton Glass micro bevel on after doing the mirror relief bevel.

:)

[razorsharp]

And why I do the same with a 600 grit microbevel bevel :)

[toomzz]

And why I do the same with a 600 grit microbevel bevel :)

Ahh....learned a secret here! Finishing you mirror with a teethed-sub-bevel.....thanks! :rolleyes:

[dsmegst]

Still going strong with my paper wheels.