Field tester needed

G

Gossman Knives

Edged Toolmaker
Joined
Apr 9, 2004
Messages
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I'm looking for someone to field test and evaluate one of my knives I'm making with 1/8" thick D-2. These are my standard duty big game hunting knives. I already have someone to test my heavy duty knives. I need someone who hunts alot of big game to really put it to the test. A big game guide who uses a knife alot would be perfect or someone who would use a knife to field dress and skin alot of big game. I usually do it on whitetail deer but I'd like it to be used on big game other then deer. All I need you to do is use the knife during hunting season, at the end of the season just send it back with your evaluation of the knife. I'll ship the knife to you before your season begins and reimbruse you the shipping cost when you return the knife. This is open to forum members or close friends of forum members only. If you are interested e-mail me at ScoGo@aol.com www.knifeshows.com/gossman I am only going to be doing this with one knife so I only need one tester. Thank you Scott
 
Boy are you gonna get a lot of replies, let me know when you have a knife that needs a millwright/mechanic to test out I'm your hard use man.
 
What are the other specs on the knife? Length, shape, blade height, grind?

I don't hog hunt very much anymore, but you might be able to find someone in the south that can start testing it now as in most states they are considered trespass livestock and maybe hunted all year long. And I can assure you as I have cleaned several hundred deer and my share of hogs -- a hogs hide is a helluva lot tougher and you need a knife a lot more than cleaning a deer, which is almost all pulling once you get started.

Plus it works good with your name. :D
 
I'm planning on hunting a black bear hunt in a few weeks. (hopefully before my destination gets too filled with Kings and those who pursue them) I'd planned to put my Bark River to use, but I'll have someone with me, so we can use both knives. Should I not get a blackie I can guarandarntee you I can see that it's put to use on some moose and caribou. Problem is that might would have to wait until the late summer/ early fall.

If yer interested drop me an email at gcs2inak@hotmail.com.

have a good 'un, eh?
 
Hey Razorback....

Heres an idea...

How about the field tester, tests the knife completely for one hunting season.. Gives you a fair and honest evaluation, with pictures, then posts the review here...

He then returns the knife to you with a full report, then you clean the knife up and give it back to the field tester in return for a fair and honest evaluation.. Call it a "Long Term Field Test"

Hows that sound ??

ttyle

Eric....
 
Normark, that's sounds good to me but I will leave that up to the individual doing the evaluation. When I get the ok from the tester I'll post it here. The reason I want to do this is mostly for my own peace of mind knowing that I'm making the best quality product for my customers. This will be real world testing. So far the feedback from customers has been great but living here in Maryland our only big game my knives have been used on are whitetail deer. Since most hunting is in the fall, it will be awhile for the end results. Stay tuned
To answer Quiet Bear, I'm giving the tester the choice of a 3" drop point 4" clip point or 4" semi-skinner all have 4" handle lenght 1 1/4 width blade 1/8 thick steel heat treated cryro treated to 58 rc convex grind (a hot topic on the forums lately)
 
Hey Scott....

Sounds good to me..

Now I wish I would have wrote you first..:)

Nice looking knives.. Nice Buck...

You need an email link on your page dude..

ttyle

Eric....
 
Normark, the knives on the site are the heavy duty knives I make. I use 3/16"x 1 1/2" stock on those knives quite beefy. I don't have an e-mail posted on the site because I just resently got a computer and am new at this. I plan on up grading the knifeshows.com site so I can change things on their myself. By the way nice site you have there, if you would like to see and handle my knives, look for Glenn Smit of Wolf's Knives at the 2004 Blade show. He will have 3 of my knives for display and sale at the show. I don't know his table number
 
Looks like we've got a go on the write up and pics. The testing will start the end of July until he completes his hunting. Keep you posted
 
I have a question for you. Why heat treat D2 to HRC 58? According to the information on Crucible's website D2 peaks in impact strength at HRC 60.

(http://www.crucibleservice.com/datash/ACFC3C.pdf)

A 1/8" X 1 1/4" X 4" convex ground drop point skinner at HRC 60, that I gave a friend to try out elk hunting last year field dressed, skinned and quartered 3 elk and was still cutting.

I gave three away last year, but this one is the only one put to a multiple animal test. I got a quarter for my gift of the knife along with the good report.
 
I don't do my own heat treat, Texas Knifemaker supply does it and from my understanding that is the hardness at which they heat treat to. Believe me the job they do is excellent because feedback from a customer that he field dressed seven deer, skinned twenty two, butchered several and split pelvic bones at his hunting camp last fall and only required one sharpening tells me that the hardness is fine. Plus the fact he bought three knives from me must mean I'm doing something right because I'm my own worst critic. Besides 58 is easier to resharpen and touch up.
 
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