04-30-2026, 09:01 AM
My understanding is when steel is "heat treated" the purpose in this case is to harden the edge. Hardening is done by uniform heating (perhaps in a localized area, such as just the cutting edge) then rapid (therefore "less uniform) cooling, creating somewhat non-uniform stresses in the hardened steel. When sharpening an edge some of the material that is under "equalized" stress is removed, so the remaining (stressed) material is able to relieve or "equalize" the stress by deforming the edge to a more relaxed (less stressed) state--in short, it moves.
Sharpening creates a uniform edge, deformation would therefore make the edge less uniform and by extension "less sharp." To reduce deformation remove less material, which in this case would mean "rough sharpen," rest for 48 hours, "re-sharpen" removing as little material as necessary, rest for 48 hours, "final sharpen." (The time is based on the duration mills let material sit before rolling.)
Sharpening creates a uniform edge, deformation would therefore make the edge less uniform and by extension "less sharp." To reduce deformation remove less material, which in this case would mean "rough sharpen," rest for 48 hours, "re-sharpen" removing as little material as necessary, rest for 48 hours, "final sharpen." (The time is based on the duration mills let material sit before rolling.)