Reply by sikrap

If you’re cutting though pine end grain instead of compressing it, you’re sharp enough. The easiest way to tell is to look at the shavings. If they look like the shavings you’re getting off the face of the board, you’re good. If they are more “powdery”, you’re compressing the wood and not shaving it. Pine end grain is considered the test because its a soft wood and the fibers will compress more easily.

-- Dave, Colonie, NY