Bladesport opinions

[Niagara]

There was a post on Bladesport in past weeks about a competitive sport using knives to cut various things in a timed trial. I have been thinking about the sport and You Tube video I watched end to end and website they attached.

Does anyone know what production knives compete?

With all the big fixed blade testosterone on this board about whacking wood into pieces as its value test and the camps that form evaluating and making videos how someones blade is the best as a survival/ wood processor/zombie slayer I was surprised that as a sport, that isn't how they compete and evaluate knives, except when they chop through a 2 by 8 and quite frankly I didn't see a specific manufacturers knife being used, though I see some custom knife makers blades.

It was like a IROC race everyone using the same car/knife design/spec. =BORING

I was hoping to see an Ultimate Warrior like show with an ESEE Junglas Vs BUSSE Chopin through a human like zombie dummy arm, and getting hit hard by a rock til it broke. Alas it was not a test of cars but drivers, cutters not knives, the quality, metal shape blade shaprness retention and RH hardness we talk about meant nothing in Bladesport.

With NASCAR, IRC, and F1, they race a Dodge and win on Sunday, we buy on Monday. In Bladesport the guy with Spyderco and Benchmade sponsorship don't use there sponsors knives?? With cars the car makes a difference among great drivers, the support team in pits does too.

Well IMHO it doesn't promote sales and won't have any TV ratings, and there are more entertaining guys making YOU Tube videos here already.

There is a separation between users and buyers of fixed blades here and how knives translate into Bladesport.

I guess it just left me asking myself questions and saying HMMM?

 

[yablanowitz]

The only current production knife that I am aware of being approved for competition is the one by Benchmade. Most of the knives used are customs. There are specific limits on the size of the knives - 10" max blade length, 15" max overall length, 2" max blade width. The reason most of the knives being used look alike is because that shape has evolved as the best for the sport. I think they look more like meat cleavers than knives, but they sure do cut.

I'd like to see a stock class myself, with some production knives pitted against each other. I doubt that the ESEEs and Busses will measure up to the dedicated competition cutters, but I think it would spark more interest in the sport.

 

[Vicarious Reality]

Alas it was not a test of cars but drivers, cutters not knives, the quality, metal shape blade shaprness retention and RH hardness we talk about meant nothing in Bladesport.

Errm, that's a bit of a strange thing to say

 

[Niagara]

Yeh,, rereading it yes, but you got the point.

Long day, and I guess I shouldn't post at 10 PM while sipping small batch bourbon.

 

[cramsey3006]

The Browning Barker/Crowell Bowie is approved for competition too. It and the Benchmade 171 are the only factory knives approved. Anything else must be custom made.

The biggest problem is the knives, IMO. Fact is, people may be interested in doing it, but they aren't interested in dropping $125-$500+ on a knife to do it.

The Browning can be found in the $125 range, the Benchmade I've seen from $250-$450+. It's hard to find a Benchmade. Custom blades that I've seen for BSI start at $450 and go up.

Until they open it up for other affordable factory knives, the sport is going to suffer from a lack of participation. Plain and simple.

There are more than a few good choppers that are $100 or less that can take a beating. We talk about them all the time on here. Batoning or chopping a thick, knotty log is harder on a blade than the events used in competition.

I think that they need to take a serious look at a factory blade class. That would get people started, and then if they want to move up to a custom blade, that's on them.

Sure, the factory blades aren't going to do as well as the blades that are custom made with competition in mind, but that's why you have different classes of blade. No one would expect a $90 Becker BK9 to cut with the ability of the Benchmade 171 at $400 or a custom blade at $500+.

 

[oldschool45]

.25"x1.5"x15" piece of 1084FG a lot of heat and a lot of filing
But not everybody has the nerve, patience or skills to do it that way. Not sure I do

 

[Jose Diaz]

Does anyone know what production knives compete?

The two production knives that are allowed in BladeSports competition are the Browning Barker/Crowell knife, and the Benchmade 171.

Most of the knives being used are Custom knives.

It was like a IROC race everyone using the same car/knife design/spec. =BORING

I can see how you would think that all the knives are the same. When knives are being swung about like that it would be difficult to see the differences. I can assure you though, every maker and designer of competition knives have different philosophies about what makes a great competition knife. Though the predominant steel is CPM M4, it is not the only steel being used. 52100, A2, CMP 3V, O1 are also being used. Though the blade shapes are cleaver-like, there are differences in geometry, grinding styles and curvatures in the knives. The specifications of 15" over-all, 10" blade, and a blade width of 2" are the only standards being used. Thickness, blade weight, and balance points are not. Heat treatment and edge geometries also vary.

Sorry if you found it boring. We are playing around with editing to make it a little more appealing. As for me, and anyone who participates in this activity can tell you, it's anything but boring! I have been told by a fellow competitor, that this was "the most fun you can have with your cloths on."

I was hoping to see an Ultimate Warrior like show with an ESEE Junglas Vs BUSSE Chopin through a human like zombie dummy arm, and getting hit hard by a rock til it broke. Alas it was not a test of cars but drivers, cutters not knives, the quality, metal shape blade shaprness retention and RH hardness we talk about meant nothing in Bladesport.

I can agree somewhat with the fact that those who are more athletic do have advantage in this activity. It is a sport after all. Those who train, and practice will do better. But if you look to see what these blades are doing, I am impressed that each blade can perform to the light cuts and heavy blows all without resharpening. Not everyone competes to win. Most compete because it's just plain fun.

We too would like to have ESEE and BUSSE participate in BladeSports. They are welcome, and I have no doubt that they would make knifes that would perform gloriously in competition.

Rockwell hardness, edge geometry, blade shape, blade weight, balance, all do have quite a lot to do with how a blade performs in a cutting competition. As a maker of these knives I have learned more about knife making and knife performance than someone who does not use their knives. When I first started in this sport, I made knives that did not "cut the mustard." I truly believe that my performance as a competitor has improved as much from my improvement in my knife making as it has from my training.

With NASCAR, IRC, and F1, they race a Dodge and win on Sunday, we buy on Monday. In Bladesport the guy with Spyderco and Benchmade sponsorship don't use there sponsors knives?? With cars the car makes a difference among great drivers, the support team in pits does too.

The knife that Gary Bond (sponsored by Benchmade)uses is the prototype of the Benchmade 171.

The Benchmade 171 is becoming a popular knife amongst the cutters. and has received rave reviews from non-competitor testers (Tactical Knives May 2011 issue). I'm sure that when Spyderco and Mantis makes their versions of the BladeSports competition knife, they will be just as popular.

This makes sense to me, as the car that makes left turns all day is not the same car that some one drives their children to school in. But, what is learned on the race track is many times passed on to the manufactures as something to be translated into the everyday car.

The manufactures that participate in BladeSports receive information on the research and development of our efforts from the cutting competition. An example of this would be the adoption by knife manufactures to use CPM M4, as well as collaboration designs from their sponsored cutters. Gayle Bradley, Ed Schempp, Warren Osborne are just a few examples of cutter/collaborators sponsored by Spyderco and Benchmade.

Well IMHO it doesn't promote sales and won't have any TV ratings, and there are more entertaining guys making YOU Tube videos here already.

Oh, golly, I wish we could be on TV! Right now Youtube is all we got. Seems to be working out OK so far.

There is a separation between users and buyers of fixed blades here and how knives translate into Bladesport.

The goal of BladeSports is not to sell knives. The goal it to promote knife as a tool. We promote education and safety. We also have a good time playing a sport that is not hurting ourselves or others. We are challenging ourselves to built a better knife and share our knowledge with others. We try to be good members of the knife community.

submitted with respect,

 

[Jose Diaz]

The biggest problem is the knives, IMO. Fact is, people may be interested in doing it, but they aren't interested in dropping $125-$500+ on a knife to do it.

I have and very often do loan competition cutters to those who need a blade to participate. I know that a few other cutter/makers have done the same. You don't absolutely need to own one to participate. Those participating in the upcoming BladeSports cutting school in Ellensburg do not need a knife to attend. Just like a lawyer, one will be provided for you if you cannot afford one.

The interesting thing about the Benchmade 171 is that it is becoming popular with the top cutters as with those just starting out in the sport. It is a very competitive knife.

 

[Arakiel]

Mr. Diaz, I like your style and your blade designs. I wish you all the best and continued success in your cutting competition endeavours. I hope an event comes to a venue near my home so I can witness the fun myself!

 

[Stainz]

My wife caught me fondling a BM 171 last fall - went back when they back in stock and got me one for Christmas. Neat - but what happened to the 'BladeSport' emblazoned on the blade - newer production examples are missing it!

Oh - and silly question - where do you get that protective apron from??

Stainz

 

[Jose Diaz]

My wife caught me fondling a BM 171 last fall - went back when they back in stock and got me one for Christmas. Neat - but what happened to the 'BladeSport' emblazoned on the blade - newer production examples are missing it!

I'm not sure about the BladeSports mark on the Benchmade 171. Even without it the blade still qualifies for competition. By the way, your wife is way cool for getting you a knife like that!

Oh - and silly question - where do you get that protective apron from?

The chain mail apron is used by the Netherlands group during training their sessions. I'm not sure where they got it from, but it is an impressive piece of equipment! We don't use it in the US.

 

[tsuba]

Like "mixed martial art", it will be cool to see " mixed cuting competition" with "folder" vs "fixed", "Bowie" vs "Tanto"... We need fun !!!