BTW,
J
Justin Presson
Kept forgetting to ask, did they allow you folks to touch up your edges before Dead Run?
I'm still surprised every time I see someone bring an untested blade to the competition eg. every time Travis calls them on dull edges, or they flat out admit they haven't really tested whatever they brought.
If the show was new, I guess contestants might not know what they were in for, but this is season 2. I'd think, at the very least, anyone who actually got on the show, would chop through 2x4's multiple times, to test their blade of choice, then make sure the edge was nice and sharp for the competition.
In last night's episode, the Asian HEMA contestant was the one that disappointed me the most. Here's a guy who actually competes in (and apparently has won) cutting competitions, so I'd assume that he'd be well aware of ensuring that he has a sharp, tested blade.
Why not use one of the swords he's used to compete (and win?) with previously? Instead, he chooses something untested, and isn't even aware that the edge isn't particularly sharp, until Travis points it out?
Checking the edge is something I (and everyone I know, who actually uses their blades) does out of habit. How does someone go into a cutting/chopping competition, without even knowing/checking if their blade is sharp or dull?
P.S. granted, the Messer that he used seemed sharp enough to make it through most obstacles. Then he takes the time to measure his last cut, and then actually swings with a different 1-handed cut on the chicken, causing him to not hit it accurately