folders vs mattrass

[NetshadeX]

Now before I even start let me say there was nothing scientific or well organized about what I'm about to share. It's also important to know that I don't claim to be any spec-ops-blade-ninja-shadow-warrior from the depts of Hades. I'm just an average Joe with some martial arts training but I'm not specifically trained in the use of a knife as a weapon.

Anyway, yesterday I cleaned out the garage and came cross this old solid foam mattrass that had to go. Thing was made up of really thick heavy foam with three layers of fabric over it. I decided to test some of my folders on it for piercing and slashing ability. I'm actually glad that I did because there were some real surprises for me in the way some blades performed. I've ranked them below in order of performance. So even within category they are ranked in the order in which I found them to perform.


Stellar performance
Buck 110

Amazing performance
Lionsteel T16
Spyderco Endura ZDP-189
Spyderco Endura VG10 FFG
Spyderco Military
Cold Steel Talwar 4"
CRKT Williams Hissatsu folder
Kershaw Blur (Sandvik 14c28n)
SOG Pentagon Elite 1
Spyderco Manix 2 (hollow ground S30V version)
Spyderco Resilience

Good performance
Spyderco Goddard
Spyderco Tenacious
Böker 101 Kalashnikov
Buck Alpha Hunter folder
ZT 0801
CRKT M16 13T
Cold Steel American Lawman
CRKT M21 14G
ZT0350

Average performance
ZT550
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto
Kershaw Knockout

Dissappointing performance
Böker Mini Resurrection
ZT0301


I keep all my knives sharpened at the 40 degree setting on the Sharpmaker, some still have the factory edge though. Some knives impressed me. The Buck 110 "won" easily. That thing did ridiculous damage both in piercing and slashing. The weight of the handle in combination with that slim clip point were scary effective. On the flip side, it cost some effort to get the 0301 and Mini Resurrection to penetrate the foam. the blades were slowed down conciderably, probably because of their width an in slashing with that recurved blade I expected more damage than they did. Also amazing performers were the Enduras. I used to frown when youtube reviewers refered to the Endura as a "tactical" option but I'm now convinced they could actually fill that role pretty good All in all the ZT's let me down a bit. The 0801 did good but I honestly expected better.

Anyone else ever test their blades like this and maybe got a different result with some of the knives mentioned?

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

Were your high performing knives largely thin hollow ground or full flat ground blades?

 

[CharlesIV]

Yeah i remember when i treated my 300 on a mattress that was left by a dumpster and it didn't do what i though it would do but my super cqc-8 did great. I guess you have to chalk it up to some knives were designed to do one thing week and others were built for other task.

 

[NetshadeX]

Were your high performing knives largely thin hollow ground or full flat ground blades?

Both the 110 and T16 are relatively thin hollow grinds. The enduras, military and talwar are flat grinds. The Williams Hissatsu is a saber grind.

For piercing it makes perfect sense the slimmer and thinner blades would do better since less material has to move aside. But to my surprise their slashing ability was also far superior. Especially that 110, that thing was scary effective.

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

I think that being thin behind the edge helps with the slashing process.

 

[GlockMonster30]

It sounds like you've learned a good deal of information from this test. the 110 is still one heck of a knife. a jack of all trades if you will. thanks for your time and the info!