- Joined
- Jul 28, 2006
- Messages
- 253
To get a feel for the working charicteristics of my 16.5" WWII, I performed a small field test out back.
WWII model with oak that was used for choping endurance.
Strikes were made with intention to test depth of penetration and any tendency to glance or for the edge to stick in wood. I tried to use all available and practicle length of the edge. I would say that a little more than 1/3 of the strikes on left piece of wood were full force using hardened part of blade edge. 20 or so full force swings total. Penetration good, no glancing, a few wedged.
Edge was virtually unaffected. No dents, rolling, chiping, flatening, nothing. It was a bit duller than when I started, but 10 strokes with chakma on each side of edge yielded shaving performance.
Sorry you had to see that.
I am impressed with the quality of this blade.
Handel and bolster did not fare so well. Bolster came loose halfway through testing on first piece of wood. Cracks in handel began within 3-4 strikes after that and continued in length untill I stoped testing.
To sum up my thoughts.
The handel.......well.......yes.......ahhhhh..........right......
Suprised to say the least.
Not to be expected i'm sure, although I now have my first rehandle project.
This blade is great. Temper and forging seems excellent. It truly is more at home choping as opposed to clearing saplings or brush.It tends to cut 1/2 way into 1-1 1/2" saplings and then the edge wants to split them down the grain of the wood. This has got to be due to the bevel and or blade geometry because my 15" Ballance sings through these saplings. But the Ballance does not chop with quite the authority as the WWII. Diversity, It's what makes life fun I say.
If these pics work, I'll post some of my 15" Ballance with my handel mod and report it's test results.
To make a long post longer, I have to ad a picture of my personal guard monkey. Does any one want to ask him if he would like some candy?
Thank you for your time and welcome any input.
WWII model with oak that was used for choping endurance.
Strikes were made with intention to test depth of penetration and any tendency to glance or for the edge to stick in wood. I tried to use all available and practicle length of the edge. I would say that a little more than 1/3 of the strikes on left piece of wood were full force using hardened part of blade edge. 20 or so full force swings total. Penetration good, no glancing, a few wedged.
Edge was virtually unaffected. No dents, rolling, chiping, flatening, nothing. It was a bit duller than when I started, but 10 strokes with chakma on each side of edge yielded shaving performance.
Sorry you had to see that.
I am impressed with the quality of this blade.
Handel and bolster did not fare so well. Bolster came loose halfway through testing on first piece of wood. Cracks in handel began within 3-4 strikes after that and continued in length untill I stoped testing.
To sum up my thoughts.
The handel.......well.......yes.......ahhhhh..........right......
Suprised to say the least.
Not to be expected i'm sure, although I now have my first rehandle project. This blade is great. Temper and forging seems excellent. It truly is more at home choping as opposed to clearing saplings or brush.It tends to cut 1/2 way into 1-1 1/2" saplings and then the edge wants to split them down the grain of the wood. This has got to be due to the bevel and or blade geometry because my 15" Ballance sings through these saplings. But the Ballance does not chop with quite the authority as the WWII. Diversity, It's what makes life fun I say.
If these pics work, I'll post some of my 15" Ballance with my handel mod and report it's test results.
To make a long post longer, I have to ad a picture of my personal guard monkey. Does any one want to ask him if he would like some candy?
Thank you for your time and welcome any input.
But not much, he likes to be the center of attention alot
after I said "talk to Dan". That was more joking than serious. 
