Hello everyone, I'm trying to figure out an answer to the 'perfect' combination of a polished edge and a toothy edge that has a nice bite. The goal is to have a knife that will for example bite into rope (tougher tasks) while still being able to have the ability to do more fine tasks that require a polished edge. I took my Benchmade mini Onlsaught 764 (154CM0 and sharpened it at 17 degrees per side, finishing with 1,600 grit ceramics then 2,000 grit sandpaper, then 5 and 3.5 balsa diamond pasted strops. I then micro beveled at 23 degrees per side for strength (same progression starting at 1,600 ceramics. Then made angles at 22 (all from 2,000 grit sandpaper taped to ceramics, then stropped at that angle for the polish), 21 degrees, 20 degrees, 19 degrees, then 18. Blended them all together so I had a 18-23 degree convex. I did an additional sandpapering at 17 and 16 per side to help blend it into the full flat grind.

The knife was then taken off of the Wicked Edge and stropped on Stropmans green compound (estimated .50 microns) then his red compound, (estimated .125 microns). FINALLY when I finished the knife was mirror-like, but not perfect. It whittled hair nicely just as it should. I went to cut some paracord to see how it would perform and though it will easily push through it, the cord would slick along the length of the edge. This was extremely sharp but not aggressive enough though you could feel the 'grab' when you felt the edge with your finger.

My questions are, where do you think lies the perfect balance of teeth and polish? Would it be better to sharpen to 1,600 ceramics and jump straight to red compound? Or finish on 1,000 grit and start at black then white compound? (Around 6 and 2.5 microns). What are your thoughts/experiences? I will in the end establish this edge at the micro bevel and polish the back bevels. This applies to EDC and hard use blades if you will.

Thanks for any information guys. Hopefully girls too

-Tj