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Post by mumbles on Aug 24, 2020 8:21:08 GMT
I have seen some reference made to a thumbnail tests on various sword forums and on some Youtube sword review videos.
Can anyone tell me what this refers to?
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Post by MOK on Aug 24, 2020 15:16:50 GMT
Yeah, it's just testing the edge with a fingernail to see if it bites in. (Incidentally, especially with large blades it's easier and safer to move your nail across the edge rather than the other way around...)
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Post by Lord Newport on Aug 25, 2020 1:23:28 GMT
Yeah, it's just testing the edge with a fingernail to see if it bites in. (Incidentally, especially with large blades it's easier and safer to move your nail across the edge rather than the other way around...) Awe... that takes all the fun out of it...
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Post by treeslicer on Aug 25, 2020 5:09:15 GMT
Yeah, it's just testing the edge with a fingernail to see if it bites in. (Incidentally, especially with large blades it's easier and safer to move your nail across the edge rather than the other way around...) A cow or buffalo horn can also be used (I keep one in the shop for that), probably hooves as well, though I haven't tried that. The important part of this test is that the fingernails or horns are made of keratin, the same as hair is, so you are testing for razor sharpness, just like shaving hairs off your arm.
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Post by unistat76 on Aug 25, 2020 14:47:17 GMT
With regard to knives, machetes, and axes, I consider passing the "thumbnail test" to be indicative of a decent working edge. From there I will continue to sharpen my knives down to a very fine edge and take my axes and machetes down just a little more.
Since I only have the one sword and not much (any) experience with HEMA, cutting, fencing or other swordsmanship, I sharpened my sword as if it were one of my axes or machetes.
Is this sufficient or should I take it further?
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Post by RufusScorpius on Aug 25, 2020 15:06:00 GMT
With regard to knives, machetes, and axes, I consider passing the "thumbnail test" to be indicative of a decent working edge. From there I will continue to sharpen my knives down to a very fine edge and take my axes and machetes down just a little more. Since I only have the one sword and not much (any) experience with HEMA, cutting, fencing or other swordsmanship, I sharpened my sword as if it were one of my axes or machetes. Is this sufficient or should I take it further? "How sharp is sharp" has been debated quite a bit on this forum. Some military manuals have specifications on edge bevel and so forth, but by and large it seems to be speculative. The general rule to follow is that the sharper the edge, the more likely it is to be damaged, and the duller the blade the less effective the cutting. How sharp YOUR swords should be is also speculative. If you are going for historic accuracy, then you have your answer. If not, then you will have to find that out for yourself. One of the best parts of this hobby is experimentation- don't be afraid to try something out to see for yourself if it works. As for me, I prefer my swords much sharper than my axes or knives. This is because I consider a sword a weapon, not a tool. A sword is also used very differently from an ax, so the edge profile is different as well. Other people prefer a less sharp edge for strength and durability. Sorry I can't give you a more specific answer.
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Post by unistat76 on Aug 26, 2020 5:08:31 GMT
With regard to knives, machetes, and axes, I consider passing the "thumbnail test" to be indicative of a decent working edge. From there I will continue to sharpen my knives down to a very fine edge and take my axes and machetes down just a little more. Since I only have the one sword and not much (any) experience with HEMA, cutting, fencing or other swordsmanship, I sharpened my sword as if it were one of my axes or machetes. Is this sufficient or should I take it further? "How sharp is sharp" has been debated quite a bit on this forum. Some military manuals have specifications on edge bevel and so forth, but by and large it seems to be speculative. The general rule to follow is that the sharper the edge, the more likely it is to be damaged, and the duller the blade the less effective the cutting. How sharp YOUR swords should be is also speculative. If you are going for historic accuracy, then you have your answer. If not, then you will have to find that out for yourself. One of the best parts of this hobby is experimentation- don't be afraid to try something out to see for yourself if it works. As for me, I prefer my swords much sharper than my axes or knives. This is because I consider a sword a weapon, not a tool. A sword is also used very differently from an ax, so the edge profile is different as well. Other people prefer a less sharp edge for strength and durability. Sorry I can't give you a more specific answer. No, this is about what I was expecting. I never asked the question before because I kind of knew the answer. This thread was just too good of an opening to pass up. I do not have experience with swords, but I am a very capable sharpener (if that is a thing.) One of my main hobbies is bushcraft and, as you all might know, that is a very cutting tool centric activity. I tend to keep my knives on the sharp side, relying on edge geometry and blade grind to prevent damage. I fall in the "will baton his knife" group, so they get some heavy work as well as the carving and what not. So far, my methods are working. I think that since I only have the one sword, I'll go with a pretty sharp edge in a convex or appleseed bevel. I had been contemplating a true full flat to the edge but: A. That is a lot of work and B. My technique (or lack of it) is, I suspect, more important than that kind of detail for the time being. Oh, my sword is a Hanwei Tinker Early Medieval, if anyone is curious.
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