The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening - Softcover

Juranitch, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 096660590X ISBN 13: 9780966605907

Publisher: Razor Edge Systems, Inc., 2000

Synopsis

Universally recognized as "The Bible of The Cutting Edge", this book belongs in the library of anyone who is serious about sharpening. Written by Guinness world record holder John Juranitch, it contains all the knowledge and insights gained during his more than 40 years in the sharpening industry. The 145 page book is crammed with photos, illustrations and cutting edge secrets you won't find anywhere else. Its 14 chapters cover topics like how to choose a knife, sharpening theories nad applicaitons, steeling, using a hone and much, much more. You'll get answers to the most asked questions. You'll learn the truth about common myths like why you should never use oil on a hone. And you'll get the insights necessary to put a great edge on knives, axes, fish hooks, arrowheads, chain saws and other tools. It's a history, a handbook, a reference manual that is the simplest, most complete way to give yourself a razor edge on sharpening.

About this title

About the Author

I've spent the better part of 45 years reseaching the cutting edge and passing along what I've learned. That's what our patented Razor Edge products are all about. Helping you get an edge that cuts safer, surer, and with less effort.

I first became intrigued with the straight razor, hone and strop in 1951 during the Korean War. That fascination was to become the core of my life's work. After the service, I began to compile information for the world's first detailed book on the art of sharpening. Researching the subject led to perfecting the tools and methods necessary for the ultimate edge.

Today, the Razor Edge Systems, Inc. company is known as the world's leading authority on the cutting edge. We're involved with machines, tools and technology in markets from meat to medical.

The products in our catalog make it possible for anyone to put a professional, razor edge on any blade or cutting edge. The Razor Edge Book of Sharpening combined with the right Razor Edge Sharpening System for your application will soon have you giving all your blades an unbelivably sharp edge. You'll come to realize these are indispensable tools for every aspect of your life, your shop, kitchen, job or in the field.

Over the years, we've become famous as the Guinness Book world record holders for sharpening and shaving with a double bladed axe. That's something I wouldn't want you to try at home. But believe me, when you try our products on your own tools, you'll come away knowing there's simply no better way to produce a safer, surer, better performing cutting edge than with these Razor Edge Systems.

From the Inside Flap

From a Fishhook to an Ax... Learn How to Sharpen Like a Pro!

Hunters, fishermen, hikers, campers, homemakers, do-it-yourselfers-here at last is the book you've always wanted but could never find. John Juranitch shows even the lowest ranked beginner how to put the sharpest edge on the dullest tool, and also restore old tools for years of trouble-free service and wear. Everything you need to know is here:

The basic theory of sharpening Safe knife handling and use Handling a hone The best angle to sharpen at How to buy a knife-and kiss the gimmicks good-bye What to look for when buying hones Carbon steel versus stainless: finally, the real winner! How to tell if your knife is sharp Serrated edges: how good are they? For what? Sharpening the most popular blades in use today: including scissors, knives, axes, chain saws, adzes, folding knives, and plane blades - specific techniques, detailed "how-to" photographs and precise drawings How to build your own hollow grinder - instructions within! Step-by-step lessons featuring over 100 photographs and diagrams for ease and accuracy-and much more!

MEET THE PRO: John Juranitch has been a professional sharpening consultant since 1951, numbering among his clients Country Pride, Oscar Meyer, Swift & Co., Northern Seas, and others throughout the midwest and Canada. For his company, Razor Edge Systems, Inc., he makes frequent appearances at annual sportsmen's conventions and on televisions demonstrating the remarkable feat of sharpenig and shaving with a double-bitted ax-a show-stopping accomplishment for which Juranitch holds the Guinness World Record (14 minutes).

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

In this chapter we will answer some of the questions that we hear most often., They come from sportsmen, professionals, people we've met at sports shows and packing plants, and in letters form people like you. The answers to these questions will give you a good start in understanding what sharpening is all about, and perhaps you will find sharpening to be much easier than you ever thought it would be.

We do not claim to know everything there is to know about edges-in fact, we are still learning things that sometimes surprise us-but we are the only company in the world that specializes in the study of the edge. We have been involved in this study for over thirty years, and one of the most important lessons we have learned is that "it pays to listen."

In our early years of experimenting, things were very interesting, very rewarding, and something else-hectic! We could even underline that last one. There were several reasons for this, and certainly financial problems were among them. Another was the fact that we didn't really know what we were doing and had to rely on the opinions of others to grade our efforts.

Many times when we would go into a packing plant, the supervisor would give our edges to the top men in the plant to evaluate. Now here was another problem. You see, being a butcher is not just cutting meat. Being a butcher is sharpening the knife, and the ability to sharpen is what separates the good butchers from the poor ones. The best butchers in a plant are superb, but they are few and far between, 5 percent at the most. They have pride, they are looked up to, and they are something of a hero in the eyes of their fellow workers, and naturally they enjoy this. Being the best, they have a right to be proud. But then one day something happens to these men. A stranger walks into the plant and tells them he is going to sharpen their knife. They resist giving up their knife because they don't want anyone ruining it, and because they resent someone else's ability to sharpen. Then the real shock hits them. The new edge is better than theirs was, and now all of a sudden! everyone is equal because they all have the same edges, and they are losing their status. So what do they do as a defense! They fight back by being as difficult as they can. You can't blame them. Who wouldn't? As first we didn't know what was going on. Why were these men nasty to us, when all we were doing was trying to help them? We should have been given the red carpet treatment for even trying to help them, but instead there was abuse, even though we made their day easier.

It took us quite a while before we caught on to this problem, and it became clear that solving the problems of the edge was only apart of our job. So what did we call this problem? Certainly it had to have a name, as it was going to become a part of our daily work. We decided on professional jealousy. Little did we know, but professional jealousy was going to follow us wherever we went.

Edge problems have led us into other industries, such as textiles, film, fiber, and surgical equipment. Wherever we went, our old friend professional jealousy was waiting for us. A film company asked us to come in to talk about the problems of slitting film. The film in your cassette is manufactured in huge, wide rolls, and is then slit into the thin, desired sizes. A battery of slitters is used, and sometimes something happens to the slitters that no one understands. The result is a considerable loss. Well, we did all right with the fellow who had sought our help, but that is where it ended. We met the man responsible for technology in this department, and it was clear that we would never get beyond the lobby. "My name is Doctor So and So, and do you know that I am an expert in sharpening?" was his opening sentence. Clearly his goal was to get rid of us as quickly as possible; he obviously felt that we were a threat to his security. But he is still living with his s! litting losses, needlessly.

We realize that everyone is not going to agree with everything we say in this book. But keep in mind we are stating what we have found and believe to be true as a result of our many years of intensive study. Each of our conclusions is based not on speculation or opinion, but on the results of numerous experiments and experiences.

If you find something you disagree with, by all means study it and do some testing on your own. You may be surprised at what you learn, and you may even end up finding yourself in total agreement with us.

Edition details

• Publisher: Razor Edge Systems, Inc.
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 096660590X
• ISBN 13: 9780966605907
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 143