Titanium and the dreaded BESS Contest

[TZ750G]

Wow… You bring up a bunch of different subjects in one post.

FWIW, I’ll babble my thoughts on sharpness and steel varieties.  I’m sure some folks opinion will differ from mine, so like I say FWIW.  I look at knives as tools.  Tools to use in everyday life.  Chasing super sharp is fun and interesting to do.  Nothing wrong with having fun!  That said, IMHO, it does not buy much for every day use knives.  So, it’s two different things… Every day use and having fun seeing just how sharp you can make a blade.


I usually get practice blades at the local Salvation Army store for a couple of bucks each.

Thanks for quickly chiming in GREPPER,
and offering some thoughtful advice.

I also look at knives as tools. 

They can be tools to enjoy a good steak,
cut up the potatoes, butcher the cow,
shape the wooden platter
to cut the steak on,and to cut
sheet metal to make the forks.

As I say in another thread, I am having difficulty
finding an empirical way to measure "toothy,"
which is another way of characterizing a "serrated knife," 
which has some similarity to a hack saw or a crosscut saw.

My deep background is in tool use, and I have a number of tools,
mostly for metal. Some of these tool I keep because they are antiques,
and I like what they represent.  Some are beautiful, and there is pleasure
in just looking at them.  Some just feel good in the hand.  Most are just tools.

My current concern is with a specialized tool:
an ordinary - looking knife edge that can
demonstrate the LOWEST BESS
score ever authenticated.

It it turns out to be a
"single use" item,I'm
good with that.