GAS mask

[rbiemer]

Roger,
The accusharp does put a very sharp edge on a knife but as you say removes quite a bit of steel. And after some use on some blades it will magnetize the knife. Not a bad thing except that the teeny metal shavings stick to the blade. Not a big deal at home but if I'm in the middle of feeding 100 people or so, the minute or two it takes to be certain that there are no shavings on the blade is time I need for something else.
I use natural stones in an oil bath.
Camillus are known primarily for pocket knives and I'm not sure they make kitchen knives any more.
In general, I can put a better edge quickly on a high carbon steel blade but it doesn't hold as well. The low carbon or stainless blades take a little longer to do but hold their edges much longer.
This all comes back to my basic point: the tools we each use for our living are much less affected by GAS than the toys we use for our hobbies are.
I am NOT belittleing any one's hobby here. I consider myself an amatuer photographer and am quite happy with that.
I own three knives--an 8" chefs, a paring knife, and a serated slicer. Those three are all I need. Yes, there are boatloads of other sizes and shapes but for my needs, they are unnecessary. Not bad or anything, I just don't need them.
Rob

 

[aizan]

hehehe. i haven't been infected by knife gas, but i picked up a standard chef's knife in kyoto at a nice shop called aritsugu toward the end of nishiki market. they chiselled my name on it and taught me how to sharpen it on a water stone. 🙂

 

[Doug]

There's a general satisfaction, I think, in having good quality tools... Partly for the appreciation for the fine design and construction work by the makers... partly because they are often just nicer to use... and partly for a good chance that the quality of the tools you use won't be the limiting factor in your own results with them.

Camillus... I have a folding pocket knife carrying the Spyderco brand, model C-41 "Native". In its packaging is a slip of paper from Camillus Cutlery discussing the “Blue Ridge Knives Native”, saying this is a Spyderco design being produced by Camillus Cutlery for Blue Ridge Knives. I noted that its folding action is not a smooth as other Spyderco knives; it feels rougher as from a lower quality of finish. I don't know how the blade steel will hold up, and not sure if it's the same 440A Rc 57-59 as the same model made by Spyderco. GAS has afflicted me on knives as well... A disease with broad applicability.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Dear Rob,

Yes, I've only just been starting to get the magnetization. Doesn't matter at all to me but I can see why it would to you -- a classic example of amateur versus pro priorities. I use my knives far less than you; I sharpen them less often; they will last longer; and I always have time to wipe the blade after sharpening. Thanks for the insights.

And I fully take Doug's point about choosing tools where you, not the tool, set the limits. It's the 'quality plateau' again.

Cheers,

Roger