Edge Retention/Rolling Test Stand

[grepper]

   

So, with starting sharpness of ~165, edge resistance to rolling appears to increase with an increase in steel hardness, but then levels off at HRC 55-61 range. 

Maybe that is the "sweet spot" of price/performance and why most of the  blades we see lie in that hardness range.

It would be interesting test these three blades at starting sharpness 300, 350 and 400 just to see if/when the harder HRC 60-61 shows an advantage.

It seems pretty obvious that 150ish sharpness is ephemeral at best and that an initial sharpness of maybe 300 or so will produce a much more durable and survivable edge. 

If that proves out, it begs the question of if there is any advantage with a HRC 60 edge over an HRC 57 edge.

For me, this is the elephant in the room question:  Is there any advantage to using a more expensive harder steel blade, and if so, how to take advantage of it. 

If there is an advantage, cool!  If not, great!  I can look at my drawer full of HRC 55-58 blades with renewed respect.  After all, they are easier to sharpen and never have chipped.

Testing so far indicates that when sharpened to ~150, a reasonably priced HRC 55-57 blade performs as well as a far more expensive HRC 60-61 blade.