Is it SHARP yet?

[arfer1943]

How do carvers "test the edge" after sharpening?

Cut paper, take a slice on a piece of scrap, shave their hairs?

[TreeWizard]

I nice cut across the end grain. If the surface shines the knife is sharp.

[Curly Early]

I agree with Paul, when I sharpen tools, I keep a block of basswood handy and see how it does on end grain. A sharp knife makes it feel like marble. Earl

[breezly]

Ditto for me end grain scrap wood.

[btree50]

End grain is the best to test!
JimB

[SlowMover]

Amazing...I agree totally as well...this may well be the FIRST post ever without a disenting opinion...MODERATORS MAKE A NOTE....history could be in the making here.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Cutting paper will dull your knife. Cutting wood won't. Use the basswood scrap.

[kdispoto]

Lynn, Why is it that paper will dull it?

[Inadv]

Mommy, they are scaring me!! LOL

Who am I to deny this forum the opportunity for a consensus of opinion on something? That is my method also. A sheen without any "white lines" on the end grain of a piece of basswood scrap is the best indicator of a blade ready for carving. I've sharpened knives that would shave and cut paper, but would tear rather than cut the end grain.

I 'spoze if I were sharpening the blade to shave or cut paper it would have been fine to let it go at that.

L.P.

[AlArchie]

Just to break the consensus, and horrify a whole buncha carvers, wives, mothers and kids, I run my thumb very gently across the edge (not along it). I've gotten so I can sense the edge's sharpness. I was taught this by my dad back in the '40's and it maybe a developed sense. Have yet to cut myselfe doing this.

Isometimes follow this up with a "Cross Grain Test" and they always coincide.

Al