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me2
Starting Member
10 Posts |
 Posted - 04/26/2008 : 20:02:58
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Most of the testing I've done has been by accident, at least until discovering blade forums, and Cliff's web site. On with the tests.
The most punishing test I used for a long time was throwing. You learn all about tip strength and penetration while throwing a knife. You also learn how well your handle is attached, especially when throwing badly. Many knives couldnt handle this.
As posted in the Green Beret thread, I've hammered a few knives on the spine. I've also used a vice to crank the edge into brass rod. I've dropped several knives onto concrete, typically with no damage. Cutting tie wire (the stuff used for tying rebar in place) was another good one that got a lot of stares.
My favorite for edge holding is cardboard cutting until the blade will no longer slice a plastic grocery bag. Blades that are too dull to cut the bag will still shave with some effort. I've also cut cardboard until shaving ability disappeared entirely, and that takes a while, even for a $20 knife when properly sharpened. Another favorite is cutting drink cans, although I havent done it in a while. I made over 100 cuts into Mountain Dew cans without loosing the ability to shave, using a Schrade Peanut sharpened on a belt sander and finished with a leather belt and white compound on the sander. This and the 500 cuts a got on cardboard before my Kershaw Vapor quit shaving is what convinced me that very sharp, polished edges will last a long time, despite the conventional opinion to the contrary. I need to repeat the drink can test with some other knives to see what can really be done.
Toughness in more valued than edge-holding, otherwise we's all still be using obsidian.
Doing it that way for 20 years doesnt mean its too late to learn to do it right.
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Noss
Moderator
USA
1382 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2008 : 23:40:19
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Knife throwing is a good toughness test. I have seen many people throw their Busse knives and I have never heard of one that broke.
I may have to add this to the tests. since many people do throw them.
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A Dull knife is always better than a broken knife. |
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Gman1128
Starting Member
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2008 : 20:56:05
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Those are some good tests, me2. They show really well what a knife's edge holding ability is. The soda cans make most knives dull very fast. So does cutting aluminum foil. I guess even though they seem so soft, the aluminum cans are much harder and worse for an edge then any wood.
Noss, I think throwing would make an awesome addition to your tests and its always fun to watch. |
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Tac45
Junior Member
Australia
106 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2008 : 03:33:32
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| Funny you mention the plastic bags. I've always licked to throw a bag in the air and slash at it. If the bag cuts clean and not rippied it's a good indication that the knife will cut 'something' else you may need to slash at. Cutting meat is a good test. It is amazing how the blade will dull if you don't keep it clean. The biological make up of meat eats away the edge. Leaving blood on a blade is like dipping it in the ocean. |
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eatingmuchface
Junior Member
456 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2008 : 17:46:43
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throwing would be a hard test to add wouldn't it?
well.. maybe in the shop at least.
:D
unlessss... you used the cannon!
:D
lol
it really does work a knife over though. |
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Noss
Moderator
USA
1382 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2008 : 04:06:37
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I could do the throwing test outside. I can not throw a knife worth a damn so if a knife survived my throwing then then it would have to be tough. 
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A Dull knife is always better than a broken knife. |
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Tac45
Junior Member
Australia
106 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2008 : 08:06:39
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| You could do the test outside. Just watch out you don't hit a car or the neighbours kids! hee hee hee |
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eatingmuchface
Junior Member
456 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2008 : 15:59:24
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lol!
those kids out at 11 at night better watch it.
... it would suck if you lost one while throwing it!
:D
lol
I guess you don't have to be able to throw good...just hard!
:D
throwing a knife can put stress on a knife that is hard to put on a knife other ways, so it would be an awesome test, at least just to try... then, you can throw it into different materials.
:D |
Edited by - eatingmuchface on 04/30/2008 16:02:56 |
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Various Tests Done Over The Years
