Hollow Handle Knife Strength Test

Sam Wilson

Sam Wilson

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
3,026
I recently completed making this knife, and will be making more soon. For those that haven’t seen it, here is the link to the write-up I did on it. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...le-quot-Survival-quot-Knife-What-do-you-think

This will be the first of a couple of videos that I do showing the use of the knife, and its capabilities. These videos are a little different from the ones I usually do, in the sense that I kept them a little more focused on the knife, without a soundtrack, etc. I also spend several minutes explaining how and why things were done, and what you can expect out of my knives.

They are a little more boring, but I didn’t want to cut out any of the key parts, so that everyone would know that nothing had been switched. Some of the things shown in the videos constitute abuse of the knife, and I would advise against doing them, but I wanted to show everyone that hollow handled knives aren’t necessarily weak, and can take a beating and keep going. There will be more to come as I complete them.

I will shut up now, let the video speak for itself. I welcome your comments and feedback. :thumbup:

[video=youtube_share;2YgnUmAbQyQ]http://youtu.be/2YgnUmAbQyQ[/video]


If you want to skip all the talking, here's the important part where I do chin-ups on the handle of my knife.

[video=youtube_share;amrJY9blnaw]http://youtu.be/amrJY9blnaw[/video]
 
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In this video, I baton abusively on the knife, cross grain, side grain, whatever. A well made hollow handle knife can take it.

[video=youtube_share;rmMBkgNpjGE]http://youtu.be/rmMBkgNpjGE[/video]
 
This video demonstrates the tip strength of the knife. It performed well, as it was designed to have a very strong tip.

[video=youtube_share;PUiO_4fAkmg]http://youtu.be/PUiO_4fAkmg[/video]
 
I just love the design of that knife so much.

Think about your mother in law every time you swing that bat like that?? :D
 
It looks like you build a really nice knife that can handle abuse. And I get the sense that you are honest.

But I don't think the hanging test really establishes the strength of a hollow handle in a knife that large. You keep mentioning that your video proves that you are not swapping out the knife during the test. And I believe you. But the video doesn't prove that. The knife is often out of sight.

The batoning test doesn't prove much, either. First, as you know, that's not how you would actually use batoning. I'd rather see you just chop that 2x4 in half, which would be a better strength test for the hollow handle and a good test for how well your knife chops. But in any event, it doesn't show anything about he strength of a hollow handle, just the strength of a large blade that should be able to handle that kind of abuse.

The point test is also not too impressive because, from what I can see, that point of your knife is very robust so it should take that kind of abuse.

I've always been a fan of the hollow handle knife. I bought the first Bushmaster 184 right after the first Rambo moving came out. But I soon lost interest because it seems that the gear you can store in a handle could more easily and appropriately be stored in sheath pockets.

Nonetheless, watching your tests just rekindles my interest in hollow handles, especially when I can see that your knife is very well made.
 
Twindog said:
It looks like you build a really nice knife that can handle abuse. And I get the sense that you are honest.

But I don't think the hanging test really establishes the strength of a hollow handle in a knife that large. You keep mentioning that your video proves that you are not swapping out the knife during the test. And I believe you. But the video doesn't prove that. The knife is often out of sight.

The batoning test doesn't prove much, either. First, as you know, that's not how you would actually use batoning. I'd rather see you just chop that 2x4 in half, which would be a better strength test for the hollow handle and a good test for how well your knife chops. But in any event, it doesn't show anything about he strength of a hollow handle, just the strength of a large blade that should be able to handle that kind of abuse.

The point test is also not too impressive because, from what I can see, that point of your knife is very robust so it should take that kind of abuse.

I've always been a fan of the hollow handle knife. I bought the first Bushmaster 184 right after the first Rambo moving came out. But I soon lost interest because it seems that the gear you can store in a handle could more easily and appropriately be stored in sheath pockets.

Nonetheless, watching your tests just rekindles my interest in hollow handles, especially when I can see that your knife is very well made.
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Twindog, you're right about the knife being out of frame at times. Eventually I will reshoot it. Unfortunately, even then somebody will probably find something else to say about the video. I don't mean that you're implying that I switched the knife, but somebody else will. So I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do, and not worry about pleasing everybody. Thank you for your honesty, and again, I don't take it as questioning my integrity. We were just having this conversation in Shop Talk a few minutes ago, and there will always be a "better" way to do it.

I disagree about the batonning and tip strength videos not proving anything. The tip strength video proves that the design worked, and the tip IS strong. The truth isn't always dramatic. And the batonning video does prove that the knife can take plenty of abusive shock, and keep working with no damage. That was much harder than a lot of people would typically baton, and there was no damage. Thanks for weighing in.


And since you asked for a chopping video, here your go. :thumbup:

[video=youtube_share;vVvzbLMmZu8]http://youtu.be/vVvzbLMmZu8[/video]
 
stvpourciau said:
I just love the design of that knife so much.

Think about your mother in law every time you swing that bat like that?? :D
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So you've met her, huh? Lol

Thanks for the compliment about the knife. When I start selling them, you're welcome to buy one, lol.
 
OK, for those concerned that the knife is off camera during some of the chin-up video, here you go:

[video=youtube_share;dydT_3DiZ30]http://youtu.be/dydT_3DiZ30[/video]

As always, your feedback is welcome. :thumbup:
 
OK, now that we've established the knife is strong enough, here is a video demonstrating some real-world use in the field. Let me know what you think.

[video=youtube_share;jmkReKDTrR8]http://youtu.be/jmkReKDTrR8[/video]
 
Here is a classic old Cold Steel ad that convinced me that Buck could build a solid hollow handled knife. Despite the over the top intentional destruction of the knife the handle still remains firmly attached to the blade.

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n2s
 

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stvpourciau said:
The outdoors use like this will make a a very nice trailer for your knife.

I have no issues using larger knives though..
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Thanks, stv. I was glad to be done with the outlandish "strength" testing videos. I think they were somewhat necessary, as people don't know me as a maker, and let's face it, as much as I love them, hollow handled knives have a bit of a "questionable" reputation to begin with. The field use video is how I like to demonstrate a field knife in action. As far as using larger knives, I'm with you, except for striking ferro rods. I have never cared for doing this with my knife. I know it's reasonably safe and all, but I just never liked having the edge facing me and moving the knife up and down like that. Just a personal preference.
 
not2sharp said:
Here is a classic old Cold Steel ad that convinced me that Buck could build a solid hollow handled knife. Despite the over the top intentional destruction of the knife the handle still remains firmly attached to the blade.

attachment.php


n2s
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Thank you very much, n2s! I have been looking for that picture for years. Either I have been searching with the wrong keywords, or its not widely available on the webz, but I just couldn't find it. Very cool. I think that illustrates a good point, also. It didn't break at the handle joint, and it didn't break at the shoulders of the tang, where it appears they cut it at 90 degrees, leaving stress risers. Both of the places where people might think were the weakest points. And they used a 3' pipe. Very nice, and thank you again.

Very nicely done.

Your knife looks like a winner and a good woods solution.
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Thank you, jacksterp. I know not everybody is into big knives, but I am a big knife guy. That's part of the reason why I built the PSK knife into the package. Helps you cover both bases. I will eventually be offering a 7"-8" version, as well.

Sam :thumbup:
 
Carbon1 said:
Thanks, stv. I was glad to be done with the outlandish "strength" testing videos. I think they were somewhat necessary, as people don't know me as a maker, and let's face it, as much as I love them, hollow handled knives have a bit of a "questionable" reputation to begin with. The field use video is how I like to demonstrate a field knife in action. As far as using larger knives, I'm with you, except for striking ferro rods. I have never cared for doing this with my knife. I know it's reasonably safe and all, but I just never liked having the edge facing me and moving the knife up and down like that. Just a personal preference.
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I get it, what I'm say in is that is the video for promotion of your knife; its a good demonstration of a good field knife.

The strength videos go beside it, I needed a shot of convincing as well as anyone else as I've gravitated towards full width tangs after breaking hollow handled and squared off tangs.

I've never had a descent hollow handled knife though, just Chinese junk and I let that put me off the design, when it really shouldn't speak for anything.

Also what I'm saying is that I have no problems with big knives meaning, I'm a big knife guy, I like them and your video is sufficient enough for me and my taste.

I think that's all the video that you really need make, the ones who aren't swayed by this "trailer" are simply not big knife guys and I wouldn't waste anymore time trying to convince them otherwise. With everything you do there's going to be some people who the it and some people who like it, that's just the way it is and I think what you have here is sufficient enough f for that person to judge which one he's gunna be.

You've done your marketing very well and now it might be time to make some knives!! :) or wait it out and see for more interest but either way, the testing phase of product development was a success lol.

I don't use the knife to fray the cloth, the other way around; I used my BK9 to start a fire with a patch of T-shirt last night by holding the knife steady and working the cloth back and forth over the edge of the stationary knife.

The only way I found to comfortably strike my flint with the large knife is like you said with the edge facing me utilizing the the very end of the upward sweep near the tip bit I don't like doing that either.

I would have been most confortable using the wedge to strike but it didn't thow good sparks.

Perhaps try squaring out a portion of your wedge and see if you want to do something with that to incorporate into the design of your knife.
 
stvpourciau said:
*Please read wedge as swedge, typing on the phone here..
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I figured that's what you meant. Thank you very much for the helpful suggestions. You've had some thoughtful comments. I think you're right, also, that if people aren't convinced after that, they're probably not going to be. I will be starting a few blades on Monday, and should have some completed knives ready in the next couple of weeks, so I will be putting them up for sale and/or taking orders through my YouTube channel and Facebook page. Once I start making some more conventional style knives, I will sell them on here as a knifemaker, but I think the volume will be too low in the beginning to make it worth my time. Additionally, I don't know if there is enough demand for hollow handle knives to just make them, and hope they sell on the Exchange. So it will probably be on an as-ordered basis in the beginning. What do you think?
 
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Carbon1 said:
What do you think?
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Ha, you're asking me?!

I'm a knife user/abuser, not a knife maker! :P

Nor do I know the amount of time, work or money that you have invested in each knife.

If you really wanna see what a big knife can do, get a couple of prototypes into the hands of the Becker/ESEE community :D lol. For the most part, you'll find people in these crowds that use seriously beefy knives, use them hard, and are largely active outdoors. At least, I'd like to think that's what you find. Us Becker users ain't to bad at beatin on big stuff lol.

Maybe set up a pass-around around and quote some of the reviews on your webpage.
 
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Again, I am not a not a knife maker, Ask me when you need to something about music theory or martial arts lol.
 
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darthrambo said:
WARNING britt owner of Black Starr knives has had my money for over 8 months and refuses to give me a refund and keeps giving me excuses and lies week after week so do not send this man money im having to take him to court for my money back and this is not slander I have every conversation with him saved and he acknowledges he owes me the knife but keeps lying to me to buy more time when he answers at all. I have never been treated so bad by a company and am selling the two knives I already got from britt and want to warn the knife community who probably cant afford like me for someone to steal 500 dollars from
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Hey that has nothing to do with this thread or maker man, placing post like this on a new profile is asking to get booted.

Don't do it
 
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