Is there a way to test the knife you purchase has a a good heat treat.

[knife chop]

My title says it all. I find myself buying a new chopper whenever there's an upcoming backpacking trip. Is there a way to test your knife at home to see if it's going to break on the field or not.

 

[link2derek]

Research the knife (or knives) you're interested in here before you purchase - if a particular knife is known for bad heat treat and/or breaking, you'll read about here somewhere.

But, on a side note, what the heck are you doing with your blade on a backpacking trip that makes you think you're going to break it? I have done A LOT of backpacking, and WEIGHT is always my primary concern. I have typically carried a Delica for my folder, and a Mora Companion for my fixed blade... and I have never broken one of either. But if you're gonna be bushwhacking, get a machete. If you're gonna be base-camping and doing a lot of fire wood processing and/or shelter building, get something along the lines of a BK-7. Just my 2 cents...

 

[amg137]

Not unless you want to try to break it. I would recommend just putting it through its paces (whatever you plan to use it for), and see how it holds up. Then resharpen it and you'll be good to go.

 

[Ryouchijtx]

Check out reviews of the knives on youtube, research their limits and or check out that or use it some beforehand and see how the edge holds up.

 

[knife chop]

Not unless you want to try to break it. I would recommend just putting it through its paces (whatever you plan to use it for), and see how it holds up. Then resharpen it and you'll be good to go.

That's what i typically do. Although I leave it in the freezer overnight before using it to chop and baton. I just thought if there's a different way of doing it.

 

[cricketdave]

Why would you want to freeze it first? Just buy a good knife from a reputable company and use it, no need for extreme testing or just trying to break it.

 

[Screwdriver]

Why would you want to freeze it first? Just buy a good knife from a reputable company and use it, no need for extreme testing or just trying to break it.

^^^^ This. Also the internet is evil.

 

[Mike-The-Knife]

OP you posted this

I find myself buying a new chopper whenever there's an upcoming backpacking trip.

Assuming this isn't your first trip , then you must have 3 or 4 $90 choppers laying around . For the money you have tied up in all those you could buy a Scrapyard Dogfather on the used market . Noss over at KnifeTests.com already did destruction tests on Scrapyard's SR-77 and I don't think you need to worry about breaking it EVER .


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HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS !

 

[me2]

You asked 2 different questions. Does the knife have a good heat treatment and will it break are not synonymous. Bad heat treat doesn't mean it will break, and good heat treat doesn't mean it won't break.

 

[rustyrazor]

You asked 2 different questions. Does the knife have a good heat treatment and will it break are not synonymous. Bad heat treat doesn't mean it will break, and good heat treat doesn't mean it won't break.

precisely... a good heat treat doesnt' mean it won't break. generally softer steel will take a better beating than harder but won't cut worth a dime. that being the case, if you want to test em just use them like you intend on and see how they hold up. there are lots of tests on the internet that can test for various things, but unless you specify the intended use its hard to prescribe a method of testing.

 

[fetzer85]

Ever try a hatchet? I have choppers and hatchets but have never had either break.

 

[Quillan]

You know what? Dont let the marketers buffalo you. A chopper? Seriously? I dont give a hoot if its a Busse, a Becker, an Ontario, a Cold Steel, a whatever. The differences aren't worth sweating about. Worry more about knowing how to use the damn thing, and keep a decent FACTORY edge on it. Good grief....glad I am friends with my old Grunsfor Bruks....