Bill Siegle
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2000
- Messages
- 6,817
At this year's Blade West I watched the cutting competition and was inspired to try my hand at doing some of that kinda stuff. I dought you'll see me compete anytime soon but who knows what the future holds 
Anyhoo I snagged a set of rubber scales at the show. They had some learning curve to them in making the scales. Had a couple spots the epoxt didn't grab on em but a little Super Glue fixed that. I made the knife so that it fits the 15in overall 10in blade max rules. It is a hair or two under 2in wide so I am good there too. Also this is the 1st blade I have done with a foward lanyard hole. I got to handle a few of the cutters used in the competition and Warren Osbourne told me of how it works and I definitely like it Keeps the blade under a lot better control if your grip slips and it can't swing as wild and cut the holder as bad as a rear lanyard might allow. I haven't done too much practice cutting with it as far as cutting cans and such. A friend did manage to cut an empty can in half so the knife can do it......I just need to practice 
I did do some chopping in the woods though and can bring down a 2inch branch in one swipe! Using my standard heat treat on the 5160 blade I was able to chop a 6inch dead and dry fir tree and still shave afterwards I am looking foward to having a lot more fun with this blade in the next few months as I practice more cutting tests. The rubber scales are nice and comfy by the way but about as ugly as it gets. 36 grit finish straight off the Bader They cut easy enough but open up the shop or the smell of burning tire will drive ya out! I opened the garage door and used the vacuum and fresh filters on the mask. My wife walked out to see how I was doing and dang near gagged at the smell. I am curiuos to see how well they stand up under use. Many of the competitor's knives were wearing them so they can't be all bad.
Anyhoo I snagged a set of rubber scales at the show. They had some learning curve to them in making the scales. Had a couple spots the epoxt didn't grab on em but a little Super Glue fixed that. I made the knife so that it fits the 15in overall 10in blade max rules. It is a hair or two under 2in wide so I am good there too. Also this is the 1st blade I have done with a foward lanyard hole. I got to handle a few of the cutters used in the competition and Warren Osbourne told me of how it works and I definitely like it Keeps the blade under a lot better control if your grip slips and it can't swing as wild and cut the holder as bad as a rear lanyard might allow. I haven't done too much practice cutting with it as far as cutting cans and such. A friend did manage to cut an empty can in half so the knife can do it......I just need to practice I did do some chopping in the woods though and can bring down a 2inch branch in one swipe! Using my standard heat treat on the 5160 blade I was able to chop a 6inch dead and dry fir tree and still shave afterwards I am looking foward to having a lot more fun with this blade in the next few months as I practice more cutting tests. The rubber scales are nice and comfy by the way but about as ugly as it gets. 36 grit finish straight off the Bader They cut easy enough but open up the shop or the smell of burning tire will drive ya out! I opened the garage door and used the vacuum and fresh filters on the mask. My wife walked out to see how I was doing and dang near gagged at the smell. I am curiuos to see how well they stand up under use. Many of the competitor's knives were wearing them so they can't be all bad.
