02-17-2018, 12:41 PM
I started thinking last night on the drive home about your work KG. That was sometime after I dashed off the amending post at work that immediately precedes this one. Thinking is always a dangerous exercise for me and, by extension, often for those who work with me. I began by thinking about the differences in time scale that we have observed with edge rolling that we have attributed to "metal memory". I decided that we should regard this as no surprise with regard to the differences in the metals we work with and the sharpening skills that you have demonstrated versus our own. Differences should be not only "no surprise" but expected.
We have always concentrated our research and efforts in dealing with mid-level quality and price stainless steel knives. This material because, that's what the greatest number of knives in existence today are centered around. We're like the old-time preacher who spent most of his day frequenting bars and saloons. When asked by a congregant "why?" he replied "because that's where the sinners are". We admit to small success only in converting the knife sharpening "sinners" that frequent the worlds home kitchens. We'll likely keep trying though.
But then there are the KGs of the world and all the other contributors who frequent places like the BESS Exchange. When presented with the possibilities of new and useful tools they take full advantage and then share the benefit of their work with everyone. It takes time and often money to conduct the research, take photographs or videos and compose the prose that goes into posts. Grepper's M4 study, Ken's Viel conversion, Wade's forge, Jan's Kiln and KG's processing plant study. Max and Thomas's "no frills" reports on everyday working knives are like folk art masterpieces. If it hasn't been said before and for all those mentioned here and those I neglected to mention, thank you very much for your contributions. I will promise that others will benefit from your compositions and contributions for years.
One more item for this far ranging post. KG you have taken sharpening to a level that we might have said was impossible a year ago. I suppose that, years ago, they would have said the same thing about a non-stop flight across the Atlantic, and then came Lindbergh. In my estimation the value of what you have been able to accomplish with edge sharpness is simply in the proof of what is achievable. You've expanded the known universe of knife edge sharpness. Thank you for your research and for sharing that research with us. I do hope that you eventually pull up just shy of BESS "0" one day though.
OK, I've gotten all those thoughts that accumulated on my drive home last night expressed and hope that you didn't find them too tiresome. What I really just wanted to say was "thank you" to you all for your efforts and hope that I've, at least, accomplished that.
P.S. Never to overlook Exchange member #1, Mr. Rupert Lucius. When the Godfather speaks, people listen.
We have always concentrated our research and efforts in dealing with mid-level quality and price stainless steel knives. This material because, that's what the greatest number of knives in existence today are centered around. We're like the old-time preacher who spent most of his day frequenting bars and saloons. When asked by a congregant "why?" he replied "because that's where the sinners are". We admit to small success only in converting the knife sharpening "sinners" that frequent the worlds home kitchens. We'll likely keep trying though.
But then there are the KGs of the world and all the other contributors who frequent places like the BESS Exchange. When presented with the possibilities of new and useful tools they take full advantage and then share the benefit of their work with everyone. It takes time and often money to conduct the research, take photographs or videos and compose the prose that goes into posts. Grepper's M4 study, Ken's Viel conversion, Wade's forge, Jan's Kiln and KG's processing plant study. Max and Thomas's "no frills" reports on everyday working knives are like folk art masterpieces. If it hasn't been said before and for all those mentioned here and those I neglected to mention, thank you very much for your contributions. I will promise that others will benefit from your compositions and contributions for years.
One more item for this far ranging post. KG you have taken sharpening to a level that we might have said was impossible a year ago. I suppose that, years ago, they would have said the same thing about a non-stop flight across the Atlantic, and then came Lindbergh. In my estimation the value of what you have been able to accomplish with edge sharpness is simply in the proof of what is achievable. You've expanded the known universe of knife edge sharpness. Thank you for your research and for sharing that research with us. I do hope that you eventually pull up just shy of BESS "0" one day though.
OK, I've gotten all those thoughts that accumulated on my drive home last night expressed and hope that you didn't find them too tiresome. What I really just wanted to say was "thank you" to you all for your efforts and hope that I've, at least, accomplished that.
P.S. Never to overlook Exchange member #1, Mr. Rupert Lucius. When the Godfather speaks, people listen.