Abstract: The control over knife sharpness is of great importance in determiningwood cutting resistance For this control, it is necessary to develop a methodof simply and effectively determining knife sharpness In this paper, the effe-ctiveness of the method to determine and control knife sharpness by means oftrail cutting with wood samples in the determination of main cutting force inorthogonal cutting is demonstrated, and the basis for its reasonable applicationis provided through investigations on the variation of wood cutting resistancewithin wood samples, and that of the difference in cutting resistance whichrepresents that in knife sharpness under various conditions.

Key words: Wood cutting resistance, Knite sharpness, Orthogonal cutting