Knives have personality?

Tom H · #1 12-21-2006, 03:38 PM

Just received the new Ross Oar, single blade-lock back pocket knife. Came with the factory edge so I had it sharpened before it was sent. Just how long before I get used to it?? I know it's sharp, but it just seems reluctant to cut as well as my woodbutcher Jan bench knife. I think this knife came with a different personality, and will take some getting used to. I plan on giving it a fair shake. Any suggestions? Tom H

Kenny_S · #2 12-21-2006, 04:50 PM

Send it to Rick of littleshavers to be resharpened! Sometimes those factory sharpened knives isn't sharp even if they say theyt did it. Rick can help ya out Tom.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #3 12-21-2006, 05:10 PM

If it is like my oar carver, it needed the bevel cut down some, too severe a secondary bevel....I have had mine a loooong time and didn't know about Rick sharpening then, Cape Forge sharpened it for me.....and thru use and stropping, they keep getting better...I have the double blade, lg and sm I like it, good knife. Bet Rick could do a number on it for you....well worth the postage and 2 bucks!

Tom H · #4 12-21-2006, 05:17 PM

Thanks Ken and Dave. The knife is sharp. It'll shave all the hair off my arm. I think Dave hit the nail on the head. The bevel is not what I am used to. It kinda acts like a wedge, if you know what I mean. I may have to wait till after the holidays and check with Rick. Thanks, Tom H

AlArchie · #5 12-21-2006, 06:08 PM

Tom ,that was all good advice! I'd like to add that you try to "fix" that blade yourself. If you have a good diamond stone, you can whittle that bevel down to suit your style in a jiffy. And it's a good feeling to get your knives sharp yourself.

Most factory ground pocket style knives come with a "utility" edge......very sharp but not necessarily the best for carving. The bevel is usually a bit too steep and the edge has not been polished, or stropped. It will, if you look closely, still have the marks from the grind on the bevel.......tiny, microscopic parallel grooves that are perpendicular to the edge. These blades will shave the hair off your arm (or just about any other body part you want to take a chance on), or probably gut a deer, cut a drag rope, or even cut your steak, but with those little groovie marks, they drag pretty heavilly through the wood as you try to carve. A few minutes on a stone and a good stropping will most likely restore your blade to "carving sharpness".

If not, there is always Rick! He won't do ya wrong!

Al

Clem Clammr · #6 12-21-2006, 10:14 PM

Good advise all around! I often find a new carver trying to worry his way into wood with a poorly shaped knife, even if it has a sharp edge. If it isn't a crude factory grind, it's a honed bullet shape in cross section. Thin it behind the edge and it works.

Kenny_S · #7 12-21-2006, 10:27 PM

Like I said before, send it to Rick, he'll take that personality out of that Knife.

Lynn O. Doughty · #8 12-22-2006, 09:05 AM

They most definitely have a life and feelings of their own. I have two different Old Reliables and, depending on the weather, my mood, my wife's mood, my dog's mood, Boomer's mood, one always seems to be a little more agreeable to being applied to the piece I'm working on. And it's not because one is sharper than the other. After all, we all keep our knives it top condition at all times don't we? Also, they both seem to operate better once their warmed up. Like anything you love, it's got to be held, caressed, talked to, encouraged to do it's best. Only then can you set down and have some quality time with your tools! Sometimes, with lots of care and coddling, even a dull knife will respond long enough to give you a couple of extra chips.

heineda · #9 12-22-2006, 10:45 AM

Tom,

You'r not being fair. You're trying to compare a pocket knife to an axe. When I take out my Woodbutcher knife at a class, I always get the same response: "are you going to cut down a tree with that thing?" Just kidding, of course.
The Woodbutcher knife being made by Denny is from the highest quality steel, and is razor sharp. I'm not sure you will ver be able to get a pocket knife that sharp, the steel is too thick.

Dan

Just Carving · #10 12-22-2006, 02:19 PM

Gee, Lynn, I though I was losing it there for a while. My two ol' reliables are different as night and day, too. Both are sharpened--one handle is a Warner cheapie, and the other is the Stanley No. 199. But sometimes neither wants to work. I made one out of a piece of cherry firewood and epoxied the blade in. I use that more now than the others. Ya can't beat that warm cherry handle!