Wiley Horne--So. Calif.
Hi David,

When I look at high-magnification edge photos, I always wonder what I am looking for in the photo. When a blade has the quality of sharpness in action, in actual planing say, can we identify and see in photos the specific qualities which make it sharp-in-action, and which distinguish it from blades which have lesser initial sharpness or durable sharpness?

For example, if we limit ourselves to say, blades sharpened at 30 degrees, is a really sharp, or durably sharp, blade more 'compact' at the edge? Meaning, does it have smaller and more uniform dentition or serration? Or does it have shallower vertical scoring normal to the edge? Or both?

If we could establish the visible attributes of sharp-in-action, perhaps that would lead to interpretations of which stones, which strops, which protocols best provide these attributes.

I realize this is all easy to say and immensely hard to do, especially if you have a day job, but I believe you are highly gifted in making these interpretations.

Wiley