How do you test your knives?

[BReid126]

I was reading the recent thread on farming out heat treat. This got me wondering, how are all you pros testing your knives? I've only been using 1080 so far and followed the sticky instructions on here. My results seem pretty good. My blades I've been using are retaining their edge well. How do you test your knives and what do you consider good results? Thanks.

Brian

 

[zachtateknives]

I am not a pro, in any definition, nor are my methods scientific. But I have a set of hardness testing files. If I'm close to the money then lets try the blade out. I typically get my test blade to hair whittling sharp, do food prep, cut some leather, boxes, paper, plastic, then dig a hole, then baton through bundles of firewoodand then make fuzz sticks, and anything else I can do with it, then check for sharpnes. Most store bought knives would be dull after that, if mine isnt dull, than I am happy. Then I put the knife in a vise and beat the snot out of it, try to get my handle to come upart. Then I flex the knife, if its a reasonable angle before it snaps, then I am happy. I also like to gift a blade to gain a review from harduse users.

 

[Justin King]

Brass rod test, twisting cuts and tip digging into hardwood, carving on nails, slicing up cardboard, chopping or batoning through mild steel wire, and chopping oak cross-grain with bigger blades. Extreme/destructive testing includes cold-chiseling through nails, point drops on metal and concrete, and vise bending, among other abuses.