Invasion & Forge
Forge
I've been tinkering with the angle of a blade’s edge to get the best balance between weight and sharpness. Think you could run some numbers to see if it’s truly optimal?
Invasion
Sure, give me the edge thickness, the blade weight, and the material’s hardness, and I’ll crunch the angles to see if you’re really squeezing every ounce of performance out of it.
Forge
Edge thickness: 0.5 mm, blade weight: 150 g, hardness: 55 HRC.
Invasion
With a 0.5 mm edge, 150 g blade, and 55 HRC steel the optimal bevel angle for a balance of edge retention and speed is about 12–15 degrees per side. A 14‑degree angle gives you a sharp edge that still holds a decent edge life for that weight, while 12 degrees will shave speed but cut a bit faster. If you want to push for a razor‑thin finish, go 13–14 degrees and trim the core; 12 degrees will let you edge out faster cuts but the edge will start to dull a bit earlier. For maximum performance, I’d lean toward 14 degrees on each side.
Forge
That 14‑degree take feels right – sharp but not brittle, and it lines up with what the weight and HRC can hold. Just be sure the heat treatment is tight; any slip and you’ll get a quick fade. If you’re aiming for razor speed, a 13‑degree tweak is the only way, but it’ll bite faster and lose edge sooner. Stick to 14 if you want reliability, and you’ll get the balance you’re after.
Invasion
Sounds solid, but if you ever push that edge to the absolute limit, consider micro‑fluting the base. A tiny ridged pattern can keep the blade from catching, letting the 14‑degree angle do its job while slashing harder. Keep an eye on the quench temp though – one degree off and you’ll be swapping the blade faster than you can sharpen it.