Quote:
Originally Posted by amosfella
Edge geometry is important for edge holding. It could possibly be more important than the steel used.
|
Nope, it's important but not more important then steel or heat treat. You really need all three, matched to the task at hand to have anything worth talking about. The geometry will cut, the steel and heat treat will determine how long before the edge is damaged.
The convex edge on a bark river will take more abuse then a thinner ground blade at the expense of slicing ability. So while it's a better choice for cutting firewood, nails or stabbing through a mud crusted boars chest in the middle of the night with a dog swinging off its ear... it's never going to slice like a flat or hollow ground blade. On the other side of the spectrum a hollow ground blade is easier to sharpen, slices better but isn't as supported and won't take the abuse so you better know what it's capable of and how to use it.
When you start talking about guys like Phil Wilson with seriously thin (.005 behind the edge) ground 10v or s110v blades they'll slice like a razor and for a very long time with the steel and heat treat he uses but you can't start prying joints apart or sticking them in the ground while your lighting your smoke.