Companies need to start issuing verified third-party HRC tests.

Where ever did you get that idea? Cite specific examples, please.

Based on what exactly?

 

It might not matter in the grand scheme of things but I did want to point out that it is unfortunate that your efforts, academic as they appear to be, have been mixed up in the slew of misconceptions, misguided accusations, and wild leaps to conclusions.

I have no problems with deeper learning, especially in pursuits that might interest any given individual, it is just sad that so many have manipulated those good intentions to serve toxic ends and spread so much misinformation.

 

I very much appreciate where your heart and thoughts are in that.

 

I'm fine with more data, I just happen to think that's all it is in the technical definition of the term. Data: Raw, unprocessed facts that are fundamentally random and useless until they're properly catalogued and organized. What I want to see more of is information, rather than data, and, IMHO, testing single blades somewhat randomly gives us very little of that.

 

Government regulation like the FDA with food seems to be our only answer. We can have RC testers traveling the country, conducting tests. Each manufacturer will be required to pass inspections and have a separate office just for the inspectors use when they are there. This should keep everyone happy since we can’t trust the manufacturers much more than we can some random guys on the net.


/rant

 

I'm officially applying for your position. I have no real qualifications for the job, but am enthusiastic about the opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you regarding a mutually agreeable time for an interview.

Sincerely,

Random Hobbit

 

I'm not sure you understand how modern manufacturing works at this point. How do you think they create the baseline that supports 1.5% standard batch testing? What do you think happens when they change tooling? What do you think happens when they restart the line? What do you think happens when 1.5% of your batch fails QA? You don't just flip a switch and knives appear, boxed and ready for shipping. Manufacturers track shrink for a reason.

 

You are very welcome to seek out, generate, or provide information as you prefer it to be done. A lot gets lost in writing, so let me add that I say that without any snark or hostility. I love seeing new things come to light, and welcome all of it.

 

I take it in the spirit in which it's intended. I hope y'all keep doing what you're doing. I just think it has a long way to go before it becomes really useful tool capable of making accurate predictions.

 

I agree. We need a lot more to get good sample sizes.

M’lady is done preparing. I’m out for awhile. Happy 4th!

 

Should we trust hardness values on one-off knives hand-written by custom makers on those cards???

 

If the maker has a reputation for hitting their goals, then yes. If they are saying "tested to" and providing evidence, then sure, pay the piper. I think that the chance of knives getting caught out means that it will keep honest guys honest, and the cheats will still fly by night. But if the expectation is that each knife is independently tested, then be prepared for the added costs.

I'm reminded of a couple years ago a guy came in to complain about a custom Winkler that he had bought and it was very sub-par. Pretty mad about it because he was the fourth or so owner (Going from memory so probably all wrong) but the first to use it. Spent a lot apparently. Someone mentions that a bad batch had gone out, been found out, but not all the knives had been replaced. Turns out this was the last or second to last bad blade in circulation. They fixed him up right away as soon as the problem was found. Now this is a bit of an odd case, the knives hadn't gotten final heat treat, so they were dead soft. Not the case of 2-3 points from spec. Point is, a reputable company maintained their reputation by actively working to hunt down the bad blades and get them replaced.

I think what is more important is a good understanding at this level of the hobby of expectation and marketing departments both giving us the info we want, but also selling knives. We need to be understanding that an HRC number and and alloy is still not enough info to decide from spec what a knife should preform at. Blade steel choices are complex, some guys are just going to want a certain alloy, a maker might get the best out of an alloy, or a use condition might demand an alloy. I like more info than less, but I also think that we need to acknowledge that just raw data isn't always enough. Sometimes we ask for things without realizing that we are holding a monkey's paw.

 

What's that supposed to mean? Care to clarify or expound?

 

I just read this thread from beginning to end and I honestly forgot what the thread was really about by the time I got to the end.

 

This whole thing feels like a solution looking for a problem.

 

More like a problem looking for a bigger problem.

 

I hope everyone realizes how lucky we are to have you contributing...there's never been anyone in the history of Bladeforums who knows as much about manufacturing and quality assurance as you do. Please don't ever stop posting.