Sharpening Handbook

Because sharp enough

... usually is not

Knives: Additional Information

Research Articles

The Dutchman's guide for Grinding Angle Adjustment for the Tormek is a great resource for easily setting very accurate angles for sharpening.

Dr. Vadim Kraichuk at KnifeGrinders has published a number of really great articles on his web site. In them, he's done a great job balancing presenting the science behind what happens with the sharpening process, but I a way that does not require a degree in metallurgy or materials science to understand it. I especially like how Vadim balances :

knife sharpening research

practical assessments with professional butchers at meat packing houses

Some of the notable publications on this site are:

The Proprietary 7-Carcasses Edge : a proven method for sharpening knives by a group which does it for meat packers and many others.
The KnifeGrinders sharpening method : Sharper Than a Razor, for Knifemaker Lawrence Cheng.
- Summary : This method uses tools (including their computer program) to deliver a process which is proven to produce repeatable, amazing results without requiring a long training program for the sharpener.
Knife Deburring : Science behind the lasting razor edge.
- Summary : There are 37 pages here that I can't summarize easily. He also does a great job incorporating pictures (including some from a scanning electron microscope) to demonstrate his concepts. Read it.
Edge Rolling in High Vanadium Knives Sharpened with Aluminium Oxide versus CBN/Diamond on the BESS EXchange.
- Summary : For blades where the vanadium is > 3%, use a CBN or diamond wheel for sharpening.
Sharpening Procedures for Ceramic Blades. Notes on other styles of blade materials and shapes are available from links on this page.

Todd Simpson has a great site Science of Sharp that's a very worthwhile read.
The Cutlery and Allied Trades Research Association (CATRA) published an article titled Maximizing Edge Retention - What CATRA Reveals about the Optimum Edge. This article looks at a number of variables for edge retention :
- Edge Angle
- Hardness of the Metal
- Effect of Edge Thickness
- Effect of Cryogenic Processing on the Metai
- Grit of the Sharpening Tool
- Powder Metallurgy vs. Conventional Ingot Steel

Other Information

Werner Noli (AKA, "Drilon") and many others recommend the Vetako laser goniometer. A laser goniometer is a very helpful in identifying the knife's edge angle, and this one looks to be good at a very fair price.
Tony Whitfield (AKA, "Y-Not") posted an additional recommendation regarding the knife sharpening platform, in that he recommended putting a drop of mineral oil on the knife blade and the platform. This was posted in 2018 on the Tormek Forum.
The Society for Culinary Arts and Letters has a forum page on Knife Maintenance and Sharpening that is good.
A catalog of the Jigs, Fixtures, & Modifications that I've catalogued.