09-14-2018, 08:37 PM
I had forgotten about the flat impactor tests, thanks for pointing that out. That was using significantly more pressure over a smaller area than what I've been doing, so my puny tests are probably not of much interest. But, I did some testing on S90V today, and am listing the results here. About the only conclusion I can draw from them is that I either need to get better control of my testing procedure or leave it to pros like you.
For each BESS sampling, I did 5 tests, all near the same point on the blade (straight, non-bellied portion).
Test #1:
Sharpened on Wicked Edge at 20dps, progression: 800, 1000, 1500 diamond, then medium, fine ceramic. Total sharpening time as about 5 minutes. Followed by brass-plate pressuring at 2~4 pounds (estimated).
BESS: 151, 263, 178, 210, 222
* It was a quick sharpening, but I wasn't expecting a burr - the readings indicate that I probably had one.
Test #2:
Back to the WE, just did 1500, medium, fine, then followed by 30 edge-trailing medium-pressure passes on one side only with the medium ceramic to force a burr, followed by the brass plate pressure.
BESS: 262, 242, 259, 172, 227.
Test #3:
Resharpened same as test #2.
BESS: 124, 199, 158, 143, 147
Test #4:
Stropped on wood-mounted leather coated with Chromium Oxide, alternating sides.
BESS: 106, 111, 126, 90, 85
Test #5:
Applied brass plate pressure.
BESS: 113, 104, 92, 102, 118
Test #6:
Getting frustrated with the brass plate, I raised it a notch by slice-cutting on the corner with fairly low pressure.
BESS: 116, 90, 107, 124, 69
Test #7:
Since the strop can better the BESS readings, I figure it can also create a burr. So, I stropped with heavy pressure one side of the knife 30 passes on the CrOx strop.
BESS: 117, 119, 84, 114, 107
Test #8:
Applied brass-plate pressure as before.
BESS: 141, 108, 110, 128, 104
Test #9:
Did a brass-plate draw-cut, as before.
BESS: 131, 137, 121, 122, 142
Not really tests, but for completeness...
Then I restropped on CrOx, BESS: 110, 97, 116, 100, 109
Then I broke down a small cardboard box, BESS: 127, 146, 125, 180, 115
FWIW, I should probably do a similar test on a different steel; for me S90V is a steel that never gets dull, but also never gets sharp. I think S30V would have been a smarter choice to start with, but frankly I'm at a loss in understanding what's happening here. My guess is that operator error is having the largest influence.
I'll be very interested in hearing how you fare with your experiments, plastic might have the right properties for this.
For each BESS sampling, I did 5 tests, all near the same point on the blade (straight, non-bellied portion).
Test #1:
Sharpened on Wicked Edge at 20dps, progression: 800, 1000, 1500 diamond, then medium, fine ceramic. Total sharpening time as about 5 minutes. Followed by brass-plate pressuring at 2~4 pounds (estimated).
BESS: 151, 263, 178, 210, 222
* It was a quick sharpening, but I wasn't expecting a burr - the readings indicate that I probably had one.
Test #2:
Back to the WE, just did 1500, medium, fine, then followed by 30 edge-trailing medium-pressure passes on one side only with the medium ceramic to force a burr, followed by the brass plate pressure.
BESS: 262, 242, 259, 172, 227.
Test #3:
Resharpened same as test #2.
BESS: 124, 199, 158, 143, 147
Test #4:
Stropped on wood-mounted leather coated with Chromium Oxide, alternating sides.
BESS: 106, 111, 126, 90, 85
Test #5:
Applied brass plate pressure.
BESS: 113, 104, 92, 102, 118
Test #6:
Getting frustrated with the brass plate, I raised it a notch by slice-cutting on the corner with fairly low pressure.
BESS: 116, 90, 107, 124, 69
Test #7:
Since the strop can better the BESS readings, I figure it can also create a burr. So, I stropped with heavy pressure one side of the knife 30 passes on the CrOx strop.
BESS: 117, 119, 84, 114, 107
Test #8:
Applied brass-plate pressure as before.
BESS: 141, 108, 110, 128, 104
Test #9:
Did a brass-plate draw-cut, as before.
BESS: 131, 137, 121, 122, 142
Not really tests, but for completeness...
Then I restropped on CrOx, BESS: 110, 97, 116, 100, 109
Then I broke down a small cardboard box, BESS: 127, 146, 125, 180, 115
FWIW, I should probably do a similar test on a different steel; for me S90V is a steel that never gets dull, but also never gets sharp. I think S30V would have been a smarter choice to start with, but frankly I'm at a loss in understanding what's happening here. My guess is that operator error is having the largest influence.
I'll be very interested in hearing how you fare with your experiments, plastic might have the right properties for this.