First up was, yours truly, Jose Diaz. From Ellensburg, WA and sponsored by Spyderco.
The first challenge was the 2x4 cut, worth 10 points. The Douglas Fir was tough, but quickly chopped, next was a playing card in a binder clip which was quickly dispatched. the next was two full pop cans (5 points each) one on top the other. The top can was cut, but the bottom tipped over on the first swing so the only points gained were that of the first can, the next cut was new for all of us: a 6" tall cardboard tube with an 1/8" thick wall that was to be cut into two pieces with the bottom ant top rings intact, worth 10 points. The tube is standing on end on a 2x4 cutting surface. That was cleanly cut. the next was 4 rolling golf balls (5 points each). Only one of those were cut. The next challenges were the 1" and 1.5" manilla ropes, each rope is worth 10 points. Both were cleanly cut. There was next a 3" cardboard tube with 5/16" wall standing on end that was to be cleaved in two leaving two separate pieces with the top and bottom rings cut (5 points), that was done. There was next a 1.5" nylon fiber rope, again cut well (10 points). The next challenge was a pool noodle cut to a 4" length balanced on a wooden dowel. The noodle was to be cut into 5 sections leaving this inside and outside rings intact without pushing the noodle off the dowel. This is an all or nothing cut worth 10 points. I choked on this cut, only cutting 3 rings before running out of space. The next cut was to split 4 drinking straws with the snorkel at the bottom. Each straw is to be split from top to bottom with the terminus below the crinkles of the snorkel. Each straw is worth 10 points, well worth spending the time to do the cut properly. All were cut. The second to last challenge were 8 drinking straws, with the snorkel on top. To get the points, each straw must be cut individually above the crinkles. What is left standing after 8 swings is counted (5 points each). More swings can be taken but no less that 8 can be made before you can move on tho the final 2x4 cut (10 points. I cut 5 of the 8 straws before finishing of the 2x4. I finished the coarse in 100.05 seconds.
The score is tabulated by taking the time and adding 100, ten subtracting the points earned from that sum. The lowest score wins.
My final score was 55.05
Next up was Ken Cardwell. From Bend, OR.
He cut the first 2x4, the playing card, one of the pop cans, missed the 6" tube cut, cut 2 golf balls, cut the three ropes, but missed the 3" tube chop, successfully cut the pool noodle, split two of the vertical straws successfully, and three of the 8 straws above the crinkles, and finished well on the last 2x4. He earned 115 total points, and had a time of 151.91 seconds. His final score was 136.91.
The third cutter was Lars Rosenblad. From Desmet, ID and sponsored by Diaz Tools.
He cut the 2x4, playing card, both pop cans, successfully cut the 6" tube, cut 1 golf ball, cut all three ropes, cut the 3" tube, excelled on the pool noodle, split 3 of the 4 straws and 2 of the 8 straws above the crinkles, and finished well on the last 2x4 earning 135 points. His time was 108.77 seconds. His final score was 73.77.
The fourth cutter was Michelle DiMaggio, from Thorpe, WA. This woman is no joke. This is her 3rd competition ever, and from what I've seen, she has the potential to be one of the top 10 in the country with a little more experience.
She powered through the 2x4, cut the playing card and took 1 pop can, missed the 6" tube chop, but picked up 3 golf balls, she cut the 1" rope but messed the other 2 ropes and the 3" tube chop, she missed the pool noodle, split 3 of the 4 straws and cut 4 0f the 8 straw above the crinkles finishing strong at the last 2x4.
The fifth cutter was Dan Keffeler, from Thorpe, WA. He is sponsored by Peter's Heat Treating. He is also the world record holder for the 2x4 chop.
Dan commanded the 2x4 cut, cut the playing card, missed both pop cans, cut the 6" tube, cut 2 of the 4 golf balls, cut all three ropes, but missed the 3" tube chop, split 2 of the 4 straws successfully, and cut 7 of the 8 straws above the crinkles, and finished on the 2x4. His time was 112.29 seconds and total points earned was 150, giving him a final score of 212.19.
Cutter number six was Ed Schempp, of Ephrata, WA.
Ed cut the 2x4, cut the card, and took one pop can, he missed the 6" tube, got three golf balls, cut the 1" an 1.5 inch manilla ropes, but missed the 1.5 inch nylon rope, missed the 3" tube chop and also missed the pool noodle cut, he split four of the four straws and cut two of the 8 straws above the crinkles, and finished at the 2x4. He earned 105 points and finished in 144.77 seconds. His final score was 139.77.
The final cutter was Donavon Phillips, from Mississippi, also sponsored by Spyderco.
Donavon cut the 2x4, the playing card, both pop cans, but missed the 6" tube, he cut 3 golf balls, he also cut the 1" rope but missed the other 2 ropes, he also missed the 3" tube chop, he aced the pool noodle and the four straw split and cut 4 of the 8 straws above the crinkles, and he finished the 2x4. He earned 115 points and finished in 107.93 seconds. His final score was 92.93.
