Odd Kershaw Outcast Test Result

R

riverdog

Joined
Apr 30, 2004
Messages
20
Whenever I get a new knife, I usually go slash apart some 2 liter soda bottles filled with water to see how they perform. It dosen't really "test" any thing, but is fun and lets me see how many bottles I can cut in half at one time, or how fast I can slash apart one with a smaller blade. I recently purchased the Kershaw Outcast and took it outside to try cutting some soda bottles.
The edge wasn't sharpened any before using. I filed down the handle, as it was designed for some one with a bigger framed hand then mine. I'm aware that the handle grooves added resistance to torque, so I'm not complaining about what happened, just showing it because I found it interesting and amusing.

kershaw_outcast1.jpg

kershaw_outcast2.jpg


Here's what happened. Doing an inward horizontal slash across the center of the 2 liter bottle (full of water), the blade arced upward, turning 180 degrees and exiting out the same side of the bottle it entered.

kershaw_outcast4.jpg

kershaw_outcast3.jpg


Normally I can cut multiple 2 liters in half with no problem, so I definitely didn't expect a cut like that. I personally wouldn't have expected a 2 liter full of water to so effectively redirect the direction of my slash.
 
Did the bottle flip - or are you sawing the whole knife torqued in your hand? If so, that's really scary!
 
It did a combination of the two. The bottle fell over, but not before the blade exited it. So the blade entered horizontally, and exited at about a 45 degree angle from the entering point, going the opposite direction. The blade exited the bottle with the edge coming out in an arc towards my right shoulder, twisting out of my hand as it did so. The whole blade spun in the air in front of me and flew onto the ground 6 feet to my rear/left side. I've done a lot of that exact style of slashing on bottles and never had a knife come out of my grip, this was the first time. It felt like the blade was literally pulled from my hand, it didn't feel like it just slipped out. It was an unnerving feeling, just increased my respect for need for good handle design. It was pure luck that the blade tip didn't nick my throat or face as it spun past me. I'm right handed, and it was an inward slash from my right to left. The slash redirected as it passed through the bottle, turning back on itself so it was coming around to my right and back towards me.
 
Thats why the ABS cutting competition requires a lanyard, so as the knife doesnt fly outa your hand!!!

Always cut down at 45deg going outwards, NEVER CUT toward yourself!!!!

If u have Blade Mag u will see that all of the cutting is done at an angle NEVER horizontal or 90deg!!!

Glad the outcast didnt getcha, juust dont luck out next time. Take care and be safe!!

2 reasons that coulda happened, the thick main grind with uneven bevels and the wide blade.
 
It looks like the outcast was mad you used it and came back for revenge on the user, I mean I've gotten blisters from mad knives, but attempted murder!!! :eek:
 
WOW- I have cut a few things with mine and nothing like that happened. As a side note- the factory edge was the first knife I have that would allow me to sever 1" manilla rope with one swing.
 
Six hours of limbing cedar using the outcast as a test replacement to my Gransfors limbing axe.

Not a nick on the blade (not visual anyway), but never lost control. I think I will add the lanyard for safety.:)

New to the forum - learning lots.

Brian
 
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