- Joined
- Jul 8, 2001
- Messages
- 3,623
I contacted Hank Knickmeyer (ABS Mastersmith) last week to set up a date and time to do my Journeyman smiths performance test. Well, yesterday was the day. My wife and I left the house at 6am. and after approximately 3 hrs. driving ,arrived at Mr. Knickmeyers a little before 9. After a lengthy discussion about what I needed to do and him critiquing some of my knives, it was time for the test.
I have performed these tests on my knives, in my own shop many times over in the last several years but still, I was so nervous, I don't even remember swinging the knife at the hanging rope. I just remember seeing the rope end come off and hitting the ground. I had practised rope cutting several times at home last week, but it all changes when you have someone with Mr. Knickmeyers expertise standing there watching and judging.
Next came the 2x4 chop, we strapped the 2x4 in the vise and I began whaling away. It seemed like it took a lifetime to chop it through 2 times,when actually it was only a very short period, but my adrenalin levels were getting higher by the second and I believe I could have chopped a car into. Not good for an old fart like me.
Next came the hair shaving, a quick pass over the skin and the hair jumped off as though it was trying to get away , still extremely sharp.
Finally the bend test, Mr. Knickmeyer marked the blade with a magic maker and we tightened the blade down in the vise at the mark. With him standing off to one side I began the procedure of bending, farther and farther it bent, needing more and more pressure applied as I went, my arms began to shake and I throught isn't that 90 degrees yet, still no sound from Mr. Knickmeyer, so I applied as much as I could and suddenly I heard him say, thats it.
I relaxed the handle and the blade returned back to about 45 degrees we removed the blade from the vise and Mr. Knickmeyer looked it over, it had a very nice wide sweeping bend and not a crack anywhere. Then I heard, you passed.
O happy days, I was ready for a cold beer or 2.
I want to thank Mr.Hank Knickmeyer (MS) for taking the time out of his busy schedule on probably the hottest day of the summer,and making time for this judging, also for sharing his expertise on knife making, fit & finish and steel making with my wife and I. A very generous person. Thank you very much.
Test Knife was made from 52100.
Bill
I have performed these tests on my knives, in my own shop many times over in the last several years but still, I was so nervous, I don't even remember swinging the knife at the hanging rope. I just remember seeing the rope end come off and hitting the ground. I had practised rope cutting several times at home last week, but it all changes when you have someone with Mr. Knickmeyers expertise standing there watching and judging.
Next came the 2x4 chop, we strapped the 2x4 in the vise and I began whaling away. It seemed like it took a lifetime to chop it through 2 times,when actually it was only a very short period, but my adrenalin levels were getting higher by the second and I believe I could have chopped a car into. Not good for an old fart like me.
Next came the hair shaving, a quick pass over the skin and the hair jumped off as though it was trying to get away , still extremely sharp.
Finally the bend test, Mr. Knickmeyer marked the blade with a magic maker and we tightened the blade down in the vise at the mark. With him standing off to one side I began the procedure of bending, farther and farther it bent, needing more and more pressure applied as I went, my arms began to shake and I throught isn't that 90 degrees yet, still no sound from Mr. Knickmeyer, so I applied as much as I could and suddenly I heard him say, thats it.
I relaxed the handle and the blade returned back to about 45 degrees we removed the blade from the vise and Mr. Knickmeyer looked it over, it had a very nice wide sweeping bend and not a crack anywhere. Then I heard, you passed.
O happy days, I was ready for a cold beer or 2.
I want to thank Mr.Hank Knickmeyer (MS) for taking the time out of his busy schedule on probably the hottest day of the summer,and making time for this judging, also for sharing his expertise on knife making, fit & finish and steel making with my wife and I. A very generous person. Thank you very much.
Test Knife was made from 52100.
Bill
