HDMC: Heavy Duty Medium Chopper!

PeteyTwoPointOne said:
no bad steels-- just different steels...Sal Glesser
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Oh I'm not complaining ... I have never broken any of my big chopper type blades ... and they get done what needs done ... I still love my good old 5160 or 1095CV ...

But kind of like my first HDFK ... I had knives in that same size range and for the same type of uses ... and I still use them too ... but you can bet you ass if I'm going on a more than an over night trip the HDFK will be the first in that size range I reach for.
 
JJ_Colt45 said:
Oh I'm not complaining ... I have never broken any of my big chopper type blades ... and they get done what needs done ... I still love my good old 5160 or 1095CV ...

But kind of like my first HDFK ... I had knives in that same size range and for the same type of uses ... and I still use them too ... but you can bet you ass if I'm going on a more than an over night trip the HDFK will be the first in that size range I reach for.
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sorry JJ, I wasn't even directly responding to your comment...I was looking at a few posts up with the INFI & Delta3V tests...shoulda probably tagged them so they're was no miscommunication :oops: :)
 
PeteyTwoPointOne said:
sorry JJ, I wasn't even directly responding to your comment...I was looking at a few posts up with the INFI & Delta3V tests...shoulda probably tagged them so they're was no miscommunication :oops: :)
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Oh no need to apologise ... I realised that you were responding to that while I was typing ... :thumbsup:

But what I was typing still fit so I clicked send ... I like all my CPK knives ... and alot of other knives ...

And I never really ever get into that "if the zombies were coming" doomsday thing ... and the you can only have one knife or one gun etc ...

But the HDFK is probably that knife for me ... and I know now I wish every knife I pick up (from chopper to a 2" paring knife) ... I wish they all had the HDFK's handle lol.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
^ be aware that in that video those knives are run thinner than standard in order for that edge damage to be visible. Normal geometry won't show that much damage in that kind of cut.






Our gross edge stability (edge durability) is on par with Infi. Standard heat treat 3V is not. That was a big deal when we got there.

I've probably tested our 3V against other steels, including Infi, more than most folks and I can say that Delta 3V and Infi are both extremely durable steels with good edge retention in real use and high edge durability that pairs well with a blade type that you might be whacking into stuff. I can't say one steel is better than the other. Delta 3V and Infi are side by side in that edge durability. Delta 3V is very tough (high resistance to fracture) but Infi is even tougher. Things like S7 are tougher still, but lack edge retention. Delta 3V has better edge retention than Infi due to equivalent edge stability and higher abrasive wear resistance. Over all they're both very durable and hold an edge well in rough use. There are applications where I wish I could offer Infi as an option in some of our heavy duty "unbreakable" knives such as the HDFK and the HDMC for folks wanting the ultimate in gross toughness but most of our knives that are EDC and bushcraft/camp/field use are well served with something with higher edge retention. I asked Jerry if he'd be willing to provide me with some Infi for special projects but he wasn't real keen on the idea. *shrug*
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***TL/DR, question at the end***

One of the many reasons I've become such a fan of CPK: Not only are you one of the few manufacturers who emphasizes designing AND testing your knives specifically to maximize their performance (from ergonomics, to blade profiles and even testing the steels and different heat treat protocols), you actually take the time to demonstrate AND explain your methodologies, philosophies and the results.

A lot of other manufacturers focus on aesthetics (not that there's anything wrong with that. There are some REALLY cool looking pieces out there), and too many have a, "This is what we offer. It's awesome. Why is ours awesome? Because it is. The end."

Different strokes for different folks, but when it comes to tools, I lean towards function, first and foremost. I've said it before, but I love the fact that you really focus on the Performance in CPK, and you're willing to explain the how's and why's.

Question
As far as toughness goes, are you familiar with Howard Clark's L6 Bainite katanas? If you are, any idea how D3V and INFI (and S7?) compare in toughness?

For those unfamiliar. Howard Clark was the first swordmaker (I'm aware of) to begin forging katanas in L6, with a heat treat to produce Bainite, allowing his katanas to do things that katanas really aren't meant to do (survive hacking up things like cinder blocks).
 
Just got my HDMC ... this thing is a beast ... I could probably have gotten by with the normal MC ... but I thought this would be a good compromise instead of a BC and a regular MC or LC ...

can't wait for a dry day to get out and try it out.

Thanks to CPK for another great blade!!!
 
Finally had a chance to check it out.

Damn!!! I see what Nathan meant when he said the HDMC was built for folks who like to break stuff. This thing is incredibly beefy.

If I needed something with a sharp edge, that may also be required to smash through concrete/brick/cinder blocks in a pinch, this would be it.

Comparing the MC, HDMC and BC side by side, the heft and thickness of the HDMC is noticeable. At first, I thought the handle might've been recontoured, then I realized, it's just the increased thickness of the slab of metal (the increased handle thickness actually feels more comfortable in my hands).

I see what Nathan was talking about, when he mentioned that the HDMC is thicker behind the edge than the MC and BC. The difference is enough to feel by touch, when you pinch the blade.

For longtime followers of CPK choppers, the miniscule deflection at the very edge that some have mentioned (and posted photos of) about their LCs... I don't foresee this ever happening with the HDMC (probably not even the MC and BC) from chopping any kind of wood I'm aware of, no matter how crappy the angle of your cut.

***IIRC, the thickness behind the edge is one of the differences between the Comp Chopper with the Racing edge vs Trainer/Practice edge, to make the Trainer more resistant to any effects from cuts with poor angle control.

Can't wait to see how they handle chopping, head-to-head. I may have to get some sacrificial 2x4s for a more consistent test medium.
 
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