Just received my DiamondBlade, FFD2 !!!

[cds4byu]

Guys,
Just FYI....I wouldn't use this particular model for anything other than gutting, skinning, or maybe a little minor butchering, like maybe taking the backstraps out of a deer. I heard that DiamondBlade is supposed to be coming out with a tactical model soon. If the blade is thicker, then it might be O.K. to baton with, and use as a WSK.
As far as my Goddard Traditional Hunter, I'm not going anywheres near anything but flesh with this thing. (So, sorry, no batoning tests for you guys... But, maybe I'll cut up some rope for you guys.)

I understand your feelings about a knife you spent so much money on. However, I should tell you that the writers who tested the DiamondBlade Knives at Tejon Ranch used it much more aggressively than you propose.

I watched a writer use that same Wayne Goddard model to cut through the breastbone of a wild hog he was skinning and cleaning. It came through with no rolling on the edge, and no chips on the edge, even though it's really quite a thin blade geometry for such heavy work.

Also, Tracy Nelson used an even thinner geometry to cut through a number of bones when cleaning a pheasant, with no negative effects on the blade.

The FFD2 edge is much tougher than you expect it to be, based on our testing.

Carl Sorensen

 

[cds4byu]

The area approx. 3/16" above the edge is mirror polished, allegedly due to the friction forging that takes place at that location on the blade. The rest of the blade is satin finished.

The bevel on the blade is ground using a CNC grinder with a fine stone. I believe that is where the "mirror polish" comes from. The whole blade is then grit blasted to produce a satin finish; but the FF process zone is so hard that the grit doesn't change the surface of the process zone. So the "polish" is actually a result of failure to grit blast to a satin finish, not a special finish that's applied to the edge.

Hope this helps,

Carl Sorensen

 

[DavidZ]

Troop / Wayne - Does the blade have a distal taper to it?
Thanks,
Dave.

 

[Troop]

The bevel on the blade is ground using a CNC grinder with a fine stone. I believe that is where the "mirror polish" comes from. The whole blade is then grit blasted to produce a satin finish; but the FF process zone is so hard that the grit doesn't change the surface of the process zone. So the "polish" is actually a result of failure to grit blast to a satin finish, not a special finish that's applied to the edge.

Hope this helps,

Carl Sorensen

Thanks, Carl, for all the info on my sweet blade. Did the blade really cut through the breastbone of a hog with no ill effects? Wow!..that is something for such a thin blade. I'm just afraid that doing that would hurt her.
-Thanks again.
P.S., Sorry it took so long to respond to your posts; I just returned home from Alaska.

 

[Troop]

Troop / Wayne - Does the blade have a distal taper to it?
Thanks,
Dave.

Dave, no distal taper to speak of. Where it "drops", naturally it's going to thin because of the full-height grind. The tang is not tapered, either.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

...this is by far the sharpest knife that I have ever handled.

Have you used knives from makers like R. J. Martin who are known for very high initial sharpness? It is sharper than a standard utility razor blade?

-Cliff

 

[Troop]

Have you used knives from makers like R. J. Martin who are known for very high initial sharpness? It is sharper than a standard utility razor blade?

-Cliff

Cliff...I haven't had the pleasure of handling a knife from Mr. Martin. But, let me tell you what, Cliff. My knee-jerk response from your question is..YES! I believe it to be sharper, or at least on par, with a standard utility razor blade.
The $64,000.00 question is..."How long will it stay that way?"
I don't mean to disrespect any makers with this next statement, but...It is very much sharper than my PJ Tomes, Henry Torres, Jimmy Lile (dotted), or Bud Nealy...and my Doziers'.
- Thanks

 

[Wayne G.]

Cliff,

Why do you want a comparison between a hunting knife blade and a standard utility razor blade? Aren’t you the one who insists that the cross section of the edge is everything?

Edges must be tested that are truly sharp, that means no wire edge that is perfectly lined up. Have you checked your utility razor blades lately? Check a pile of new commercial knives, check the new handmade knives at knife shows and report back on how many are "true sharp" that is... no wire edge. While you're at it check your own freshly sharpened knves.

W Goddard

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Why do you want a comparison between a hunting knife blade and a standard utility razor blade? Aren’t you the one who insists that the cross section of the edge is everything?

The sharpness is not a function of the edge cross section, that is cutting ability. A standard utility razor blade sets a very high standard and is freely available to anyone for usually around 0.10 thus it is much more meaningful than something like R. J. Martin's knives as few people actually have them.

Have you checked your utility razor blades lately?

Yes, I evaluated about 50 of them randomally a few years back which is where the above comment comes from, FACTS from MEASUREMENTS. They do not have wire edges, they are very well sharpened. The only knives I have seen which can exceed Olfa blades in sharpness on a consistent basis are Spyderco's.

"How long will it stay that way?"

That would be useful as well of course. The initial edge is like a full gas tank in a new car. Rather irrelevant to long term use. How does it respond to sharpening would be more important to most users. For a very long time people constantly complained, makers and users, about high hardness making knives difficult to sharpen. It would be interesting to see if the same complaints are made about these knives.

-Cliff

 

[Thomas W]

Have you used knives from makers like R. J. Martin who are known for very high initial sharpness? It is sharper than a standard utility razor blade?

-Cliff

Cliff, have you actually ever handled one of R.J.'s knives? Are you saying that his edges are like utility razor blades? If so, was that just what you heard, or just the reputation he has, or are there facts, links, and testing out there that we can confirm this information?

The only knives I have seen which can exceed Olfa blades in sharpness on a consistent basis are Spyderco's.

Is this just an opinion, or are there some head to head links and testing results available? It would be of great interest for many if we could see all the different manufacturers involved, and confirm first hand your statement on consistent sharpness?


Are you currently individually testing knives, as I thought I read that that is not of interest to you these days?

Thanks Cliff.

Troop. sounds like a great performer!

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Cliff, have you actually ever handled one of R.J.'s knives?

No, that is why I used a generality. I could also cite, Goo, Fikes, etc., makers known for sharpness so high that it tends to make people redefine their standards of what the word means. Fikes has done some cutting which is very impressive sharpness wise as well as just skill wise. I have also discussed sharpness, sharpening and how they measure it will all makers, Martin in detail which is why he came to mind right away.

Is this just an opinion, or are there some head to head links and testing results available?

Yes, I measured the sharpness of a pack of standard and then the ultra Olfa knives. The average sharpness was much higher than all production knives with the exception of Spyderco :

http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/blade_testing.html#sharpness

Note how Spyderco completely dominates the top ten. This is so skewed that even a fairly below average Spyderco knife is sharp compared to other production knives.

Are you currently individually testing knives, as I thought I read that that is not of interest to you these days?

People still request it from time to time and send me knives. I am however more focused on developing a method and the test group which is underway on a CPM D2 vs D2 project. The first evaluation has been completed and I have performed the numerical work on an edge retention (slicing) comparison. I also use knives on a constant basis and am always updating the reviews with the knives I carry.

-Cliff

 

[Thomas W]

Sorry to keep this off-topic everyone.

No, that is why I used a generality.

So by using R.J. name in this context, you're citing his reputation as the basis of a maker that has edges that are comparable to razor blades. You have never handled one to confirm, just talked with him in the past.

The average sharpness was much higher than all production knives with the exception of Spyderco...
Note how Spyderco completely dominates the top ten. This is so skewed that even a fairly below average Spyderco knife is sharp compared to other production knives.

Thanks Cliff. As you say, I do notice how this group of Spyderco's did, very impressive.

I am though very surprised at your bold assessment here, as there are a great many manufacturer's absent and not represented at all, thus one needs to question your overall Spyderco proclamation. In addition bold statements such as "sharper than all...except Spyderco", are not really accurate and a bit deceptive, as again, not all factories were actually tested.

I'm not sure one could draw any kind of conclusion, let alone a proper conclusion with just this one small batch of knives from a only a handful of tested companies.



Now back to the subject at hand, FFD2.

 

[Troop]

Thomas W,
I am extremely impressed by this blade...I was skeptical of all the claims by DiamondBlades at first. Once I had it in hand, in just short period of time, I knew that this blade was exceptional.
- Thanks
P.S. No, I don't have stock in DiamondBlade, LLC, or Knives of Alaska. And aside from a brief phone conversation with Charles Allen, I don't know the guy. And, to be quite honest, I don't give a rat's ass about who believes me or not about my assessments of this knife.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I don't give a rat's ass about who believes me or not about my assessments of this knife.

Your assessment of the knife in use is way more valuable to us than the theoretical ramblings of someone who hasn't held one.

Thanks!

 

[Troop]

Your assessment of the knife in use is way more valuable to us than the theoretical ramblings of someone who hasn't held one.

Thanks!

Esav,
You mean, you actually want me to use this knife!?
Yeah, I guess I owe it to you guys to give you a "mild usage" report.
I guess it's gotta come down off of the altar sometime, right?

 

[Bastid]

Your assessment of the knife in use is way more valuable to us than the theoretical ramblings of someone who hasn't held one.

Thanks!

It was good to read your thoughts based on the actual reality of your experience with this knife.

 

[Troop]

O,K,,
I'm going outside right now and test the crap out of this knife.
In case you don't hear from me again, it's because I broke the blade while batoning and inserted the remaining shard into my jugular. (Just kidding)
(Kind of.)

 

[Bastid]

Always better to hear reality than the extrapolations that are based on an agenda and the off topic and misleading statements made by others that do not pertain to your thread.

 

[hardheart]

yeah, thanks for telling us that your new knife is sharp

 

[Troop]

O.K., I just cut 30, count 'em, thirty pieces of 1/2" hemp rope, and the hairs are still popping off my arm.