http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ABS_MSTest.htm
"TEST KNIFE SPECIFICATIONS:
Overall Length of Knife: Maximum fifteen (15) inches.
Blade Width: Maximum two (2) inches.
Blade Length: Maximum of ten (10) inches from point to the beginning of either the guard, bolster, or handle of the blade.
Handle Configuration:
The Master Smith applicant must test with a "stick tang" knife. Any handle configuration is acceptable with or without a guard, bolsters, ferrule, etc. Handle material is irrelevant and solely the choice of the applicant.
Blade Material:
Any pattern welded Damascus steel with more than 300 welded laminations. Combination of steels or pattern used in the billet is irrelevant. The Damascus may not be laminated to a central core steel piece, such as San Mai construction.
*NOTE:
The Master test knife must be forged with a "stick" or hidden tang handle. A full tang is not acceptable as a test knife. If a blade is loose in the handle, or in the judgment of the supervising Master Smith presents a risk, the knife may be refused for testing. This does not count as a failure to pass the test. The applicant may proceed with the test when any such handle looseness is corrected to the satisfaction of the supervising Master Smith.
SUPPLEMENTAL TEST:
The applicant may be required at the Master Smiths discretion:
a. To forge weld a laminated blade of any style.
b. To pass a verbal quiz.
TESTING:
The applicant must supply materials needed:
- The ABS test form application.
- All safety equipment including safety glasses, heavy shop aprons, gloves, etc.
- A sufficient length of one (1) inch minimum diameter sisal or manila rope
- A four foot or longer length of 2x4 construction grade wood stud of the applicant s choice.
- The applicant's test knife. No special handle or finish is required. This is a test of performance, and the test knife will ultimately be destroyed in the testing process.
While not a part of the formal test, the applicant is encouraged to bring several finished knives for the Master Smith to inspect for quality of workmanship, fit, finish, design, etc. The feedback from the Master Smith will help the applicant better evaluate I the quality of his or her work (design, detail, finish, etc.) is likely to meet the very high Master Smiths standards of the ABS Judges panel at the annual show.
The test must be conducted in the following sequence:
NOTE: ALL TESTS MUST BE PERFORMED BY THE APPLICANT, EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE ROPE CUTTING. THE MASTER SMITH IS TO SUPERVISE AND SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL ABS WITNESS.
1. ROPE CUTTING: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO TEST THE EDGE GEOMETRY AND SHARPNESS.
Applicant is responsible for supplying the test rope and ensuring that it is a minimum of one (1) inch in diameter. If the applicant brings a larger rope, the applicant will be judged using the same criteria as though the rope was one inch in diameter. The rope is to be hung in a safe manner, so that the end of the rope to be cut hangs loose without touching the floor or any other object. As a safety precaution, the rope is not to be hand held by another person during the rope-cutting test. The hanging end of the rope is to be marked with tape or a marker to clearly indicate the area that is to be cut. The cut must be approximately six (6) inches from the end of the free hanging rope. A minimum of one (1) cut must be made.
The applicant is to aim at the mark with a two (2) inch margin of high or low being acceptable. The applicant must sever the rope in two with one stroke. If the applicant fails on the first attempt, the Master Smith will allow two more attempts. However, if the Master Smith believes that the failure to sever the rope is due to the lack of skill or strength of the applicant, the Master Smith may attempt the rope cutting with the test knife. This is a test of the applicant s ability to make a knife, not to cut with it. If neither the applicant nor the Master Smith successfully cuts the rope, the applicant fails.
2. WOOD CHOPPING: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO DEMONSTRATE EDGE TOUGHNESS.
The chopping test is to be conducted with 2x4 construction grade wood stud of the applicant s choice. The 2x4 may be either hand held or clamped into a vise or other safe devise. A chopping motion (no whittling) is to be used. The 2x4 must be chopped completely through a minimum of two (2) times. The applicant may choose the area of the 2x4 to chop through.
Following the chopping test, the Master Smith will inspect the edge to determine if there is any noticeable damage to the blade. Any nicks, chips, flat spots, rolled edges, or other deformations of the blade will result in failing the test.
3. SHAVING HAIR: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO DEMONSTRATE EDGE RETENTION.
After the Master Smith approves the quality of the edge, the blade will be returned to the applicant. The applicant must then shave hair using the section of the blade that was most frequently used in the cutting and chopping portions of the test. Enough hair must be shaved to demonstrate that the edge remains keen and shaving sharp.
4. BENDING: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO SHOW THAT THE APPLICANT IS ABLE TO HEAT TREAT A KNIFE WITH A SOFT BACK AND A HARD EDGE.
The bending of the blade is the final test. Safety gear should be worn. At the discretion of the applicant or the Master Smith, the edge may be dulled prior to bending.
The Master Smith will mark a line across the width of the blade approximately 1/3 distance from the tip of the blade. The blade will then be inserted into a vise, tip first, such that the blade is placed into the vise up to the mark on the blade. If the vise jaws are rough, smooth metal inserts shall be located on each side of the clamped portion of the blade to protect the test knife.
The blade shall be bent by force applied to the handle. A leverage device such as a pipe may be used as long as it does not pose a safety risk. The use of such a device is at the sole risk of the applicant and at the discretion of the supervising Master Smith.
The applicant will then bend the blade ninety (90)degrees. The supervising Master Smith will signal the applicant when the ninety (90) degree angle has been reached.
The blade is allowed to crack at the edge on bending but not beyond approximately two thirds (2/3rds) the width of the blade. However, if any part of the blade chips or any part of the blade or tang breaks off, the applicant fails. Because of the many variables in the size,
Geometry, and temper line of the blade, the Master Smith using his/her judgment, shall determine if the extent or location of the fracture line is acceptable. The decision of the Master Smith is final."
Long quote, I know! A Busse Combat knife could never be tested *officially* by the ABS. Whether or not they would pass the performance tests is an entirely different matter I think!
lol. you are too quick foxhole atheist!
. If you wanted you could almost make a knife that would pass that test out of a thin steel ruler. End points like that don't point toward the best knife for any task ...except folding in half. 
