08-28-2017, 11:27 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-28-2017, 11:36 AM by Mark Reich.)
Thank you Mr. Jan. 
I realize cutlery is a very small part of metallurgy, which usually makes it difficult to compare apples to apples. It's good to understand the differences between regular metallurgy and blade metallurgy too.
Mr Grepper, besides my S30 test blade, I also sharpened an S30 blade for a friend. Formerly, the coarsest grit I used on S30 was 1k, and it seemed to work better than the usual 2K-4K edge.
Now I'm hooked on the 140 Atoma edge. I deburr with featherweight edge leading passes, so there's absolutely no refinement going on. This edge passes the smoothness test with flying colors, and our S30 blades have never performed remotely like they do now.
If you would have asked what the Atoma did Not work on, I would have guessed that S30 wouldn't be strong enough.
I'm very surprised that S30 seems to hold a toothy edge considerably longer than a refined edge. I think the pundits are just flat wrong, but there are many more of them than there are of us. I'll be shaking out toothy S30 edges through hunting season before I'll be willing to pass judgement.
ps- I have noticed something about the 140 Atoma edge. It's practically impossible to scratch yourself. If the blade touches skin, you may feel it, or not. A cut doesn't hurt, but I've never seen them bleed so profusely. It's a different game.
I realize cutlery is a very small part of metallurgy, which usually makes it difficult to compare apples to apples. It's good to understand the differences between regular metallurgy and blade metallurgy too.
Mr Grepper, besides my S30 test blade, I also sharpened an S30 blade for a friend. Formerly, the coarsest grit I used on S30 was 1k, and it seemed to work better than the usual 2K-4K edge.
Now I'm hooked on the 140 Atoma edge. I deburr with featherweight edge leading passes, so there's absolutely no refinement going on. This edge passes the smoothness test with flying colors, and our S30 blades have never performed remotely like they do now.
If you would have asked what the Atoma did Not work on, I would have guessed that S30 wouldn't be strong enough.
I'm very surprised that S30 seems to hold a toothy edge considerably longer than a refined edge. I think the pundits are just flat wrong, but there are many more of them than there are of us. I'll be shaking out toothy S30 edges through hunting season before I'll be willing to pass judgement.
ps- I have noticed something about the 140 Atoma edge. It's practically impossible to scratch yourself. If the blade touches skin, you may feel it, or not. A cut doesn't hurt, but I've never seen them bleed so profusely. It's a different game.