Talk:Sharpening

Honing

I wonder if steeling a knife (as opposed to using an abrasive "steel" like a diamond steel) hardens the edge through strain hardening —BenFrantzDale 06:36, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

I suppose it's possible that a smooth steel may work-harden the edge at a micro level, but I tend to doubt it. The kitchen steels I've seen resemble fine files, cut longways, and work by removing metal. I believe the more common method of honing involves fine abrasive on a leather strop. Smooth steels have their use in turning the edges of scrapers. Who here has seen a smooth steel used for final honing of a cutting edge, as opposed to a scraping edge? Just plain Bill 17:49, 26 December 2005 (UTC)

If the steel is deforming the knife edge, such as when you turn the edge of a scraper, then I would think that some work hardening is going on. But that shouldn't be the purpose of the steel, IMHO. Ideally, coarse-grade hones are used to grind the bevel at the desired angle, fine hones are used to finish the edge at a slightly higher angle, and the steel (preferably a smooth one) is used with a light touch, and at again a higher angle, to straighten the edge. The steel can be used frequently to significantly increase the time between sharpenings. 2nr Tom 06:43, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Sharpening man

Here in China, men come by who sharpen knives, scissors, axes, machetes, etc. They have a song they sing or broadcast from a bullhorn that's been the same for ages, probably hundreds of years. I can get audio or video of that.

I remember sharpening men in Montreal when I was a kid. Both usually have a mobile bench with a manual grinding wheel. This photo's description says there are only a few left in Paris. In French and German they are called knife grinders, I think, but they also do scissors and more.

We have loads of photos of these people at Commons in the category "cutlers", which isn't exactly the same. At Wikipedia there are lots of occurrences of the phrase "knife grinder" referring to the occupation, so the article might be in ordeer.

So, perhaps a paragraph here or at Knife sharpening or a standalone article. The trouble is I'm having trouble getting references because searches find tools and not people. I'd like to start it, but need help finding a source or two. Thoughts? Anna Frodesiak (talk) 04:59, 27 March 2013 (UTC)

Okay, I added Sharpening#Mobile sharpening service. It could also be moved elsewhere, and note that the refs are quite rotten. Anna Frodesiak (talk) 05:21, 27 March 2013 (UTC)

Article is missing broader coverage

The article covers "sharpening" but it also redirects from "sharpness" which is what I wanted to look up.

What scientifically knowledge exists about "sharpness"? is there a sharpness scale, or certain materials or formats that are sharper than others, and so on. What sharpness is applicable to certain tasks or tools?

FT2 ^{(Talk | email)} 21:15, 18 March 2014 (UTC)

Suggest refactor and merge

The general content related to sharpening ought to be moved in from knife sharpening; anything specific to knives could either be a subsection there, or, if a lot of material is available, at that article. --Wtshymanski (talk) 06:35, 29 December 2015 (UTC)