How many layers of cardboard can you stab through using your knife?

[maxster]

I used my VG-10 Endura on hard stabs. I also did some testing with grips to see which one I prefer.

Here are my results using a cut-up large Dell box:

Combat grip: Through 11 layer with tip sticking in the 12th layer. I find the combat grip to be the most effective grip style. I can easily stab or cut in multiple directions.

Icepick grip: Through 11 layers with tip sticking in the 12th layer when I am trying not to arc in the cardboard. I noticed a loss of control with the stabs. The stabs were more off target than with the combat grip. These stabs naturally goes into the cardboard at an arc; if I stab naturally (not trying to keep the knife straight), the knife will arc in the cardboard resulting in a decrease of stab depth (I am able to penetrate 6 layers with tip sticking in 7th if the knife arcs). Also with the icepick grip I can only stab down or sideways. Cutting with this grip is very hard.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Stabbing down hard in a two-handed icepick grip with my CRK Sable 12, I penetrated 192 layers of heavy cardboard.

Of course, with a knife of this size and shape, I prefer slashing.

 

[maxster]

192 Layers? Measuring stacked cardboard, 4 layers is about 1/2" thick.

So that's approximately a 2 feet stab into a tightly bound stack of cardboard.

How did you manage to do that?

 

[LaBella]

192 Layers? Measuring stacked cardboard, 4 layers is about 1/2" thick.

So that's approximately a 2 feet stab into a tightly bound stack of cardboard.

How did you manage to do that?

he's a GORILLA in real life, it's true!!!!

 

[BillL]

Hi Esav,

How big are your biceps?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I used my VG-10 Endura on hard stabs.

Is this the ridged kind? I would have assumed it would be trivial to just poke the blade right to max depth.

-Cliff

 

[MrMojoRising]

What did cardboard ever do to you?

Please let the cardboard roam free!

PETC

People for the
Ethical
Treatment of
Cardboard

 

[Doug C]

I knew this sounded like a trick question.

 

[Planterz]

How many layers of cardboard can you stab through using your knife?

More than I can stab through not using my knife.

 

[Larry S.]

192 Layers? Measuring stacked cardboard, 4 layers is about 1/2" thick.

So that's approximately a 2 feet stab into a tightly bound stack of cardboard.

How did you manage to do that?

Secret Israeli Commando/Mossad technique.....

 

[tim8557]

Who in the hell has 192 pieces of cardboard laying around? Did you never hear of the recycling bin?

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Who in the hell has 192 pieces of cardboard laying around?

I have way more than that, they are small pieces though.

Did you never hear of the recycling bin?

They are easier to carry to the bin with speed holes, it lightens them.

I am not impressed he stabbed the knife through 192 layers, but since that is thicker than the blade is wide, I am impressed that he basically drove his whole arm through it.

You should contact Jim Rose and take that on the road.

-Cliff

 

[Sam Pai Kenpo]

Cardboard doesn't hit back.

 

[ERdept]

Some cardboard used to make poured concrete piling forms, while others are as thin as shoeboxes. I propose a standardized cardboard stab test, so we're talkin' apples to apples.

cliff

 

[steellover]

I have you all beat. I can stab through about 600 layers of cardboard before my arm gets too tired.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Tear the covers off phone books and stack them up. Compare one knife to another; if you only test one knife we won't know if the knife is good or your arm is.

 

[WarRaven]

Or the Phone book itself

Just be ready for it to stop suddenly, hmm me thinks kevlar gloves may be in order for that testing method.


WR

 

[Mongo-man]

stabbing cardboard? Thats like trying to figure out how fast you can hit a brick wall with a motorcycle helmet before it breaks?

When i buy the knife from a respectable knifemaker i expect them to do these test for me in R&D. I have no reason trying to duplicate any test especially when it might compromise the mechanical safety marging in my knives.

If say..... Spyderco says their knives are MBC rated i have no urge trying to duplicate their test.
What if it breaks? What if my hands slips from the handle and slices off my fingers instead of the cardboard?

So i see no added value in trying to determine how much layers of cardboard i could stab.

The only test i ever performed was stabbing a Spyderco Ronin thru a level II BP vest, wearing kevlar underarm protection and a kevlar glove.

oh btw it does penetrate the vest about an inch with a downward stab and not even at full force (because i was scared)

 

[Grapevine]

I haven't tried it, but I think I can stab through one meeeelliiiioooon layers of cardboard. It's true, it's true.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I have no reason trying to duplicate any test...

Not everyone is honest.

What if it breaks?

Stabbing cardboard? Unless it is an extreme pattern like a fillet knife this isn't a serious consideration.

What if my hands slips from the handle and slices off my fingers instead of the cardboard?

Assuming the knife doesn't have a secure enough grip, use a laynard and/or hook the thumb over the butt.

This test is also designed towards knives used to thrust, not a stockman for example which is likely to collapse under impact.

So some common sense needs to be applied, it isn't for every knife.

...i see no added value in trying to determine how much layers of cardboard i could stab.

It lets you understand how various gemetrical aspects influence penetration ability.

-Cliff