Recommendation? Hardness tester recommendations?

Ryan Duran Geiger

Ryan Duran Geiger

Joined
Dec 31, 2020
Messages
18
Hello, everyone.

I'm getting my new Evenheat kiln this week and I'm not super interested in running to borrow my friend's hardness tester every few days, so I'm looking to get my own.

After some searching it looks like the best bets are either the PHR-2 at around $700 or the Grizzly that looks like it's gone up $300 this year to $1,300 shipped.

I'm leaning towards the Grizzly, but wanted to ask if there are any other options I should consider with a max budget of $1,500.

Thank you,
Ryan.
 
I did the friend thing until one popped up. I got a Wilson portable in like new condition for $425 shipped off ebay. I'd say be patient and keep watching the different marketplaces and be ready to pounce when a nice used one pops up.
 
I did the friend thing until one popped up. I got a Wilson portable in like new condition for $425 shipped off ebay. I'd say be patient and keep watching the different marketplaces and be ready to pounce when a nice used one pops up.
 
HSC /// said:
There was a goko seiki on ebay recently. Not sure if it’s still there. I have one
Click to expand...

Ahh, the only one I see is local pickup only and is 2,700 miles away.

Signalprick said:
I did the friend thing until one popped up. I got a Wilson portable in like new condition for $425 shipped off ebay. I'd say be patient and keep watching the different marketplaces and be ready to pounce when a nice used one pops up.
Click to expand...

The only one I've seen locally in the last 6 months of looking is $4000.

I'll keep an eye out, though.


Thank you.
 
What are you typing in for search? Does it have to be local? There is a bunch on ebay alone that'll ship. A couple portable units too. Are you also searching craigslist and/or facebook marketplace? When I bought my Wilson portable I called Buehler and the rep told me not to be afraid to jump on a portable unit. Just as accurate as the benchtop models and dont need periodic calibrating. Again, what you want may not be available at this moment but if your patient they do pop up frequently on the various marketplace sites.
 
What are you typing in for search? Does it have to be local? There is a bunch on ebay alone that'll ship. A couple portable units too. Are you also searching craigslist and/or facebook marketplace? When I bought my Wilson portable I called Buehler and the rep told me not to be afraid to jump on a portable unit. Just as accurate as the benchtop models and dont need periodic calibrating. Again, what you want may not be available at this moment but if your patient they do pop up frequently on the various marketplace sites.
 
I'd buy a grizzly and buy a shiny new certified hardness block from Wilson in the 60-63rc range.

Any extra funds would go towards a Gilmore #101 certified indenter.

Portable Hardness Testers have inherently less repeatability and reproducibility than full size bench testers.

Any tester purchased one should look into getting legit certified blocks and indenters.

Some testers come with those things out of box, but are in the +$10,000 range, not realistic for a knife makers budget.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I'd buy a grizzly and buy a shiny new certified hardness block from Wilson in the 60-63rc range.

Any extra funds would go towards a Gilmore #101 certified indenter.

Portable Hardness Testers have inherently less repeatability and reproducibility than full size bench testers.

Any tester purchased one should look into getting legit certified blocks and indenters.

Some testers come with those things out of box, but are in the +$10,000 range, not realistic for a knife makers budget.
Click to expand...

What leads you to this conclusion? What would make them less repeatable? They are made to give you accurate and repeatable readings in a situation where a benchtop is impractical. Like I said I spoke with a rep from Berg Engineering about my M-51ST before I bought it used and he said as long as it wasn't damaged it would be a rock sold unit and a great choice for a Knifemaker. Certified test blocks are a must. My portable has been dead accurate in the short time I've had it. I mount the handle in my vise for easy 2 handed operation.
 
Signalprick said:
What leads you to this conclusion? What would make them less repeatable? They are made to give you accurate and repeatable readings in a situation where a benchtop is impractical.
Click to expand...
There is a precision and bias study done in
ASTM E18-19 and ASTM E110-14 with tables that show the R&R. One can look it up and compare the differences.

The benchtop is not impractical for knives.
 
DeadboxHero said:
I'd buy a grizzly and buy a shiny new certified hardness block from Wilson in the 60-63rc range.

Any extra funds would go towards a Gilmore #101 certified indenter.

Portable Hardness Testers have inherently less repeatability and reproducibility than full size bench testers.

Any tester purchased one should look into getting legit certified blocks and indenters.

Some testers come with those things out of box, but are in the +$10,000 range, not realistic for a knife makers budget.
Click to expand...

I just saw this on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilson-Roc...-/124638145694?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Which comes to just about the same exact price as the grizzly shipped.

Which one would you recommend getting?

Thank you very much for your advice,
Ryan
 
Ryan Duran Geiger said:
I just saw this on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilson-Roc...-/124638145694?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

Which comes to just about the same exact price as the grizzly shipped.

Which one would you recommend getting?

Thank you very much for your advice,
Ryan
Click to expand...
A Wilson 3jr definitely has more cool factor than a Grizzly. It's a classic machine that stands the test of time.

Personally I choose the Grizzly cause I wanted to put my own wear and tear on the machine.

Many makers go the 3Jr route when they pop up.
 
Thank for everyone's time and responses.

DeadboxHero said:
A Wilson 3jr definitely has more cool factor than a Grizzly. It's a classic machine that stands the test of time.

Personally I choose the Grizzly cause I wanted to put my own wear and tear on the machine.

Many makers go the 3Jr route when they pop up.
Click to expand...

Just ordered the Grizzly. Thank you for your help! I appreciate it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top