Originally Posted by
Todd Stock
Once past the 'ground after hardening' price point that Patrick and others have mentioned, I tend to look more towards the user than manufacturer with regard to inconsistency of standards. How else to explain - in tool reviews or discussions - how one user finds an edge to be delivered 'razor sharp' and ready to go, while another reports 30 minutes of flattening and polishing the blade and honing of the bevel to use the same model of tool from the same manufacturer? I see a little bit of variation in the blades that come in the door in student tool kits, but none - whether small shop or factory made - are in immediately usable condition.