- Joined
- Sep 14, 2007
- Messages
- 44
Sapodilla is a tree from Central and South America(and Mexico also) , it’s dense and hard.It’s said the Maya People used it to build their temples, and the wood endures environmental hardships so well for so long that archaeologists found some sapodilla structures still standing.
Whatever the case, I found a pile of sapodilla logs at a friend’s property. That specific tree had not been up to the challenge in the form of a fungus attack.
My friend brought down the disease affected tree, so I could chop as much as I would like, or as my less than optimal fitness would allow (not much).
I was not interested in technique (which I have none) but in comfort, edge holding and efficacy.
Comfort
I had previously stated somewhere in the forum that I positively disliked the A2 handle. Its sharp checkered rubber had made blisters in my hands quite fast , after hard work.
However, sometime after I had tried my A2, someone suggested a pretty easy “I-am-so-stupid-I-didn’t-think-about-it” kind of solution: just sand it.
So I did, and the difference was like night and day.
Initially, after having just holding knives the Woodsman handle looked like the champion of comfort, hands down. It could have a little more width and height for my taste but the contour is perfect.
Chopping Efficacy
Strangely enough, the Woodsman handle comfort didn’t translate into hard use comfort. I was a bit baffled at the beginning but then I realized the answer to this might not be in the handle itself but in the blade. The edge line is way below the belly of the handle. That means if you chop really hard and your hand isn't lined up perfectly with the knife (or if you chop like a madman) the impact creates a somewhat unpleasant torque. But this is probably a technique problem rather than a knife problem
On the other hand, the handle bird's head lets your hand rotate longitudinally so it aides chopping.
The A2 gave me more control (after the sanding, that is) because it didn't t try to twist, no matter what I did.
All in all, pleasant on unplesant, the Woodsman bites harder and deeper than the A2 (which is a very good chopper in its own right)
Edge Holding
I think it was almost a tie. Almost because the Woodsman somewhat shaved after all was said and done, and the A2 didn't.
After I tested them on a sheet of paper the imperfections on both edges were dragging the push cuts.
The A2, on the up side, returned much easier to shaving condition, just a couple of minutes with 1200 grit sandpaper and a few passes on a Slipstrop. However, I strongly suspect that my ridiculous sharpening skills were the problem with the Woodsman, which, in any case, after a little more than 5 I had removed the edge imperfections.
Conclusion
They are both keepers all the way.
The stainless is obviously an asset when dealing with demanding enviromental conditions. The last thing I would like to mention is that the choil on the Woodsman is really useful; much to my surprise, I think I would still have taken it over a choil-less version.
Follow pictures with the knives and a log tested with the same amount of chopping (the knives were cleaned with simichrome, it makes a huge difference with the woodsman, for those who don't like patina)
P.S. Regarding the sheaths, I prefer the one that came with the Woodsman. It's very secure and locks the knife in place with a "clack" much like a kydex sheath. I've read that Nick Allen treats the leather with a hot bath of something (bee wax?) that makes it stiff and durable.
For those who don't know NWA, Nick Allen has a subforum here. A whole lot of folks praise his fit and finish and I agree wholeheartedly, he's an outstanding bladesmith.
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Whatever the case, I found a pile of sapodilla logs at a friend’s property. That specific tree had not been up to the challenge in the form of a fungus attack.
My friend brought down the disease affected tree, so I could chop as much as I would like, or as my less than optimal fitness would allow (not much).
I was not interested in technique (which I have none) but in comfort, edge holding and efficacy.
Comfort
I had previously stated somewhere in the forum that I positively disliked the A2 handle. Its sharp checkered rubber had made blisters in my hands quite fast , after hard work.
However, sometime after I had tried my A2, someone suggested a pretty easy “I-am-so-stupid-I-didn’t-think-about-it” kind of solution: just sand it.
So I did, and the difference was like night and day.
Initially, after having just holding knives the Woodsman handle looked like the champion of comfort, hands down. It could have a little more width and height for my taste but the contour is perfect.
Chopping Efficacy
Strangely enough, the Woodsman handle comfort didn’t translate into hard use comfort. I was a bit baffled at the beginning but then I realized the answer to this might not be in the handle itself but in the blade. The edge line is way below the belly of the handle. That means if you chop really hard and your hand isn't lined up perfectly with the knife (or if you chop like a madman) the impact creates a somewhat unpleasant torque. But this is probably a technique problem rather than a knife problem
On the other hand, the handle bird's head lets your hand rotate longitudinally so it aides chopping.
The A2 gave me more control (after the sanding, that is) because it didn't t try to twist, no matter what I did.
All in all, pleasant on unplesant, the Woodsman bites harder and deeper than the A2 (which is a very good chopper in its own right)
Edge Holding
I think it was almost a tie. Almost because the Woodsman somewhat shaved after all was said and done, and the A2 didn't.
After I tested them on a sheet of paper the imperfections on both edges were dragging the push cuts.
The A2, on the up side, returned much easier to shaving condition, just a couple of minutes with 1200 grit sandpaper and a few passes on a Slipstrop. However, I strongly suspect that my ridiculous sharpening skills were the problem with the Woodsman, which, in any case, after a little more than 5 I had removed the edge imperfections.
Conclusion
They are both keepers all the way.
The stainless is obviously an asset when dealing with demanding enviromental conditions. The last thing I would like to mention is that the choil on the Woodsman is really useful; much to my surprise, I think I would still have taken it over a choil-less version.
Follow pictures with the knives and a log tested with the same amount of chopping (the knives were cleaned with simichrome, it makes a huge difference with the woodsman, for those who don't like patina)
P.S. Regarding the sheaths, I prefer the one that came with the Woodsman. It's very secure and locks the knife in place with a "clack" much like a kydex sheath. I've read that Nick Allen treats the leather with a hot bath of something (bee wax?) that makes it stiff and durable.
For those who don't know NWA, Nick Allen has a subforum here. A whole lot of folks praise his fit and finish and I agree wholeheartedly, he's an outstanding bladesmith.
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