The importance of a sharp blade, according to a master knife sharpener

Mohd Faddli honing a Schrade 403 folding knife with his battery-powered belt sharpener.

Giving your knife a mirror polish is not just for good looks – that gleam means your blade is sharp at a microscopic level.

Though the edge may look and feel keen, it is actually full of chips, nicks, rolls and burrs at the microscopic level.