Okee Dokee, I am finally finding the time to post the results of the Cat tests per request of Mr. McSwiney, and I was actualy surprised in some respects.
The Cat does not cut. Period. It may be sharpenable, but I was attempting to cut both the ever present empty beer and pepsi cases in my basement as well as my now standard paper plate taped to a string. Neither was cut that I could ascertain, although the paper plate and pepsi case were both seriously creased. Boys and Girls, the offending paper plate will simply shrug of such an assault and open a fresh can of whoop-A$$ on you if you do this to it. The edge seriously deforms on these targets and will do so on any other target.
I then began trying to thrust and stap through these targets, with oaky results. The Cat would penetrate to the results if I though an outside to inside thrust every time, but the inside to outside and straight on thrusts were usually not effective. We can chalk that up to lousy technique on my part, except that the ever present spyderco endura which accompanied me and two cans of brew to the sacred testing site did a fine job, despite the paper plate's tendency to act like I would and get the hell out of the blade's path right quick, serrations and all. I do not need to tell any of you about the spyder-edge versus the paper plate and cutting, do I?
I then proceeded to pount the Cat into a 1x6 (pine) to test for functionality of the "skull crusher" pommel and I was reasonably impressed on a couple counts. The pommel was producing 1/2" deep holes in the wood, and will most likely do the same to your skull or any other part of you. I recently purchased a real steel CS Tanto (thanks Gary!) and having owned these before I will attest to the impressive destructive capability of the pommel. This carries over really well into the plastic version and I do have to say that the handle was very warming to the touch, provided and excellent grip and is a reminder of why CS products were at one time the premier factory combat knives available. No slippage in either the ice-pick or the fencing grip on this handle at all and though my hand is not what one might call lady-like and delicate (Sweetie tells me they are gruesome) the grip was at the same time exceedingly comfortable.
The pointy end of the Cat also stabbed well into the wood and the point, which was damaged somewhat by thrusting into pepsi cases (!) was actually reshaped into more or less its actual configuration. It went in about a half inch or so with the pointy (er) end, but given what I discovered it sounds like you would need to find a water buffalo to stab in the head every time you use this thing.
Being a thorough kind of guy, I wanted to know if the Cat would actually shave some of the splinters off the edge of the pine board, which is perhaps evidence I should not drink and play with knives without supervision. The Cat actually did manage to shave a bit off the edge of the board, in the same manner that you could use the edge of a desk to shave wood. This absolutely murdered the edge and this Cat is well into its eighth life currently.
Now Mr. McSwiney did e-mail me asking a few questions that I kept in mind while testing the Cat. The first was along the lines of holding up under normal usage. Normal knife usage will ruin this thing in about thrity two seconds flat (close to my actual using time) and normal usage for this item would be sneaking it past metal detectors for assassination purposes, which is an activity I normally do not participate in actively. However, my general consensus is this: The Cat retains most of the excellent handling characteristics of the CS Original Tanto, but none of the usefulness.
The other item he was concerned about was as follows: Is it worth the price? I got mine free with a Shinobu Tanto folder, which I subsequently sold for a profit, but I would think "Yes" is the answer regarding the "cool" factor. ON the other hand, I will never carry this item, feeling that its dismal performance even as a stabbing weapon (its primary function) is not worth the effort to carry. IN my opinion, should you desire to carry a non-magnetic plastic "knife" either go buy a Newt Livesay NRG (or two) or an AG Russel CIA Letter opener. I can cut stuff with my Russell and the Livesay not only can be driven enthusiastically through sheet metal, albeit with a little damage, it can easily be carry ready for quick access in a wonderful kydex quick draw sheath.
I did no put this knife in a vise and pull to the side as in the video "Proof" nor did I do push-ups on it or drive it through a watermelon. These are all cool on video, but i put it through tests I have figured out (with much help thank you Dr. Gyi, Tim, Fred and Jerry Van Cook) will more simulate what I will actually do with such a piece should the worst extreme come to pass. Please let me know what your experience is regarding it if any. Should there be any sort of desire for this, I have several other non-mag pieces in the inexpensive category I will be happy to put to the test.
[This message has been edited by Parker (edited 20 July 1999).]
[This message has been edited by Parker (edited 20 July 1999).]
