I passed... my ABS test that is...

yes the test order is rope first, chopping through a 2x4 completely twice, then shaving hair. Then of course you've got to bend your blade 90o without breaking. It's not as hard as it seems but I had so see it done, recieve some tips from Greg and cut and bend a couple of practice blades myself before I finally passed. Aside from the obvious need for a well forged, differentially tempered/drawn blade, I'd tell you edge geometry knowledge is essential for a good cutting knife. Greg calls it an "appleseed" edge. You need a good hard Arkansas stone for the final edge polish or its equivilent in a man made stone. Greg furnished the 2x4 that I cut; no soft "white wood" here! He's always on the lookout for some old house coming down where he can find really hard aged pine boards. They chip and smell of turpentine when you chop'em!

regards, mitch
 
Way to go Mitch. I gave it a try at the Moran hammer in (in front of a crowd) and snapped it. (didn't edge quench).... Gotta get working on that next test blade..... Hoping to be there with you at Atlanta. Look forward to meeting you. Again, CONGRADULATIONS!!!
Ed
 
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