Proverbs 27:17 Â "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
The Convex Edge
The Convex edge on a knife is an edge that is curved or sharpened with an arc. Â Instead of a fixed, flat bevel throughout, the convex edge angle gradually changes across the entire bevel. Â For years, experienced knifemen have known that a "smaller bevel angle" would cut better, but is more fragile; while a "larger bevel angle" will last longer, but won't slice as finely. The convex edge does away with this problem and creates the best of both worlds. Â The convex edge will hold the longest edge and produce the finest cutting.
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Knife makers have been putting convex edges on knives for hundreds, even thousands of years. Only since the invention of machine-made knives, has the convex edge dropped in popularity. Â In recent years this art of knife sharpening has quickly risen to the top as the technique of choice.
Some people like a highly polished convex edge while others prefer an edge that is a little toothy. Â Any convex edge can be made to have either of these characteristics. The more polished the edge, the better it push-cuts. A push cut is where you push the knife through the material without a "back-or-forth" action, like you would chop celery. The more toothy the edge, the better it draw cuts. A draw cut is a slicing or back and forth action, like how you would slice bread or a tomato.
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The convex edge can be kept razor sharp just by stropping it on a leather strop after any serious use. Â The beauty of the convex edge is in the ease of achieving and maintaining a durable, and razor sharp edge. Â
There are many different types of convex edges. Â If it has a curved bevel, it is considered convex. However, that is where the similarities end. It is up to the knife maker to make a knife that is designed for the intended use. Â In todayâs age, we encounter many uses and specialized tasks for our knives. Â In light of that, most individuals will have many different knives. Would just one knife do everything demanded in the kitchen? Work as a slicer, cleaver, dicer and a parer? Likely not. "Use the tool most appropriate to the task." That alone accounts for the many different designs, shapes, sizes and grinds you can find in knives today.Â