A quiet lever is a coward’s tool, not a composer. The blade’s voice comes from the way the steel is beaten, the rhythm of the hammer, the heat, the feel of the metal in your hand. If the lever doesn’t sing, it’ll keep the steel in a hushed, stubborn silence and kill any chance the blade has to breathe. If you want a blade that sings, you need a lever that lets the steel speak, not a dull, quiet press that shouts its own fear into the metal. The soul of the steel is heard, not heard, so don’t hush it with a quiet lever.

Nice idea, but remember the lever’s quietness can hide a nasty tremor. If the motion’s not perfectly even, you’ll end up with a blade that sighs, not sings. Keep your fingers steady and the metal will thank you.