Curt, Ausable's (Tim Valko) got a Helle knife-whole knife, not a blank. The blade's a little straight razor, so yes, they're sharp from the get-go. I have an Ahti "forest" knife from Finland, and it too, is a little straight razor right out of the box. Once in a while, I strop mine with a little jeweler's rouge and a block strop; comes out waaay past the "sharp" stop sign! first knife I've ever had which truly unzipped game, and I know Ausable's is equally that sharp. It would be a good purchase.