Edge Retention/Rolling Test Stand

[grepper]

Thanks for passing that along Mr. KG.

The OP in that post starts by saying, “I love razor edges.”  I have no idea what a “razor” edge is because the entire thread is devoid of BESS sharpness numbers.  Nonetheless I presume he’s probably getting a pretty sharp, thin edge.  Other posters claim their edges don’t roll, but without sharpness readings to back it up.
 
Another poster states, “Corrugated cardboard shouldn't ordinarily cause many edge rolling issues…”.  Really?
 
Another poster said something more interesting, “Depending on what's meant by stropping with 'emery compound', you might also omit that part of the process. If it's actually 'emery', a.k.a., 'corundum' or aluminum oxide, it may not be handling the vanadium carbides in this high-wear steel very well. It'll erode the matrix steel from around the carbides (vanadium) at the edge, while failiing to cut or shape those carbides effectively, which leaves them standing proud with little support and weakens the edge. You'll effectively end up with an edge that behaves just like a folding burr.”  And then goes on to say, “So something else in the process is disproportionately weakening the edge…”
 
I have no idea if steel removal around carbide particles actually happens or not, but it makes more sense than a lot of the posts.
 
I have yet to see a “razor” edge that does not roll. 
 
There are a lot of opinions and guessing going on there.  All of the posters could benefit from a sharpness tester.  You know, sharpen the blade, test the sharpness, cut some cardboard and then test again.  I suspect that some of those guys who claim their edges don’t roll may well be surprised at the results.