Hello,
All these different variations are sure interesting but also maybe diversions. I'll be keeping my eyes open next time I go to France or Germany for a chance to get a hold of some of these different old time tools though.
I'm using the slick from that smidt up in McCall for the past 12 or so years and have always been pleased with it. Some of the things I like about it include the ergonomics of the handle, that it has swells and ridges, and mostly the flared and rounded knob at the end. It means I can get good grip and resistance and apply pressure from many positions. There is nothing wrong with the steel and tempering, though it will deflect before it chips I have noticed. I think they do go a bit overboard with grinding and polishing though.
I don't know about altering the geometry of its cutting edge. This I have never felt the need to do. But I will comment on the shape of the blade over-all. For me, the top side, that is the area behind the bevel, being overly rounded, makes it more difficult to prop up and steady during sharpening than it needs to be. It is nice that you can lay a hand over the blade for guiding and apply some pressure and not have sharp edges there, and I'm glad the smidt was thinking about this when forging the tool but it does minimize the bevel's surface contact when you lay it up to the stones.
Greetings,
Don Wagstaff
Last edited by Cecile en Don Wa; 02/25/11 12:34 PM.
