How sharp should that Dixon Plough Gauge Knife be

[cem]

I finally got my Dixon plough gauge today after winning it on Ebay Oz a couple of weeks ago (stupid local post office that doesn't open on Saturdays) and I was just wondering if someone could tell me how sharp the knife should be.

Not having used one or seen one in person I've got nothing to go off as I've only used Stanley Knives and rotary cutters before. It seems to be all intact with the numbers matching up and has a stamp of J Dixon, the owner before though obviously hadn't used the knife part for awhile as a Stanley knife blade was put in the knife slot and it was pretty mucky when I pulled that out.

So any members here who have a J Dixon plough gauge would you be able to if possible post a close up photo of the knife part that is sharp so I've got something to go off. Also I was thinking of getting a replacement knife from Dixon and wanted to know if the new ones will fit it.

Thankyou for any help

Cheers,

Clair

[bruce johnson]

Clair,

I've got Dixon blades in mine, and I keep them sharp-sharp. Kind of like a round knife, when I start hearing the cut, it is time to strop.

As far as the new knife matching up, Chris Williamson from Dixon joined here a short while back. Hopefully he can answer that.

[Art]

Hi Clair,

I have a Vergez Blanchard, and the blade is sharpened almost flat on the side away from the strap you are cutting off and a teardrop bevel on the side toward the strap. Here is a picture from the VB website, ignore the prices as they are years old and nowhere near reality.

http://www.vergez-blanchard.fr/boutique_us/fiche_produit.cfm?ref=3_602BIS_20L2&type=31&code_lg=lg_us&num=2

Sorry, I don't have a Dixon, but I wanted to clue you in to the edge geometry, they don't cut correctly if edged wrong.

Art

I finally got my Dixon plough gauge today after winning it on Ebay Oz a couple of weeks ago (stupid local post office that doesn't open on Saturdays) and I was just wondering if someone could tell me how sharp the knife should be.

Not having used one or seen one in person I've got nothing to go off as I've only used Stanley Knives and rotary cutters before. It seems to be all intact with the numbers matching up and has a stamp of J Dixon, the owner before though obviously hadn't used the knife part for awhile as a Stanley knife blade was put in the knife slot and it was pretty mucky when I pulled that out.

So any members here who have a J Dixon plough gauge would you be able to if possible post a close up photo of the knife part that is sharp so I've got something to go off. Also I was thinking of getting a replacement knife from Dixon and wanted to know if the new ones will fit it.

Thankyou for any help

Cheers,

Clair

[barra]

My plough is a Dixon. I'll take a close up photo soon. I would assume a new blade would fit fine. I too sharpen like Bruce and test the blade with a sheet of paper. When it cuts the paper by just touching it then it is sharp enough for me. As soon as it does not glide thru effortlessly then it gets a strop.

Barra

[cem]

Thanks guys, gives me something to go off, my father in law is a butcher and I'm going to let him have a look at it.

He's used to sharpening his own knives but I wasn't sure what to tell him in regards to what sort of edge it's supposed to have.

Cheers,

Clair