Probably a really dumb question, but I'm bored....

De4thStr1ke

De4thStr1ke

Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
631
I'm sure this is about the dumbest question I've thought about for a long time, but I'm here at work, and I'm really bored, this popped into my head, and I figured I'd see what y'all had to say. Well, here it is:

How does one go about becoming a knife tester/reviewer? I know that writers for magazines (like Tactical Knives) get samples sent, and sometimes request samples for their articles. But what about those people out there who aren't writers? What if someone simply wanted to get the chance to test out a knife, give feedback, and be able to play with new designs before they come out? I've had this question swimming around in the back of my mind for a while (lot of room up there :p), but never did any research on it. Tried Google a little while ago, but didn't find anything satisfactory. Didn't know if anyone on here did that, or could shed any light on the subject. Personally, I'd be willing to do it for free. Just the chance to play with a new knife would be worth it for me. :D

And sorry if this isn't in the right section, or has been talked about before. I looked around, but didn't see anything that answered my question.
 
Check out nutnfancy's videos on youtube: www.youtube.com/nutnfancy. When he started he just reviewed blades from his collection, which is quite vast. Then he made friends with guys at gun shops, outdoor supply stores who allowed him to try out their knives in the store and make video reviews of them in a backroom at the shop. He also borrows from friends I'm guessing. Every once in awhile he reviews a knife that a company has sent him. I believe he did this with a Rat Cutlery knife.

Cutlerylover on youtube also makes mention of reviewing knives that his viewers on youtube have sent him.

I think either way your best bet is to develop a very well read website, blog or video series. After you get a very large number of people following you (large enough that it would make a difference for a knife company if some of them made a buying decision based off of your review) then you can probably expect to get review copies of blades.
 
I think it's a case of having to know a guy that knows a guy. Most companies probably do in house testing.

The easiest way to get to try out some knives is to join some of the pass arounds on the forums here.
 
tjsulli790 said:
I think it's a case of having to know a guy that knows a guy. Most companies probably do in house testing.

The easiest way to get to try out some knives is to join some of the pass arounds on the forums here.
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Yeah, I figured most of them had in house people for that sort of thing. Now if they would only see what an awesome asset I would be to them.... :D

Haha, thanks for the info!
 
davide said:
Check out nutnfancy's videos on youtube: www.youtube.com/nutnfancy. When he started he just reviewed blades from his collection, which is quite vast. Then he made friends with guys at gun shops, outdoor supply stores who allowed him to try out their knives in the store and make video reviews of them in a backroom at the shop. He also borrows from friends I'm guessing. Every once in awhile he reviews a knife that a company has sent him. I believe he did this with a Rat Cutlery knife.

Cutlerylover on youtube also makes mention of reviewing knives that his viewers on youtube have sent him.

I think either way your best bet is to develop a very well read website, blog or video series. After you get a very large number of people following you (large enough that it would make a difference for a knife company if some of them made a buying decision based off of your review) then you can probably expect to get review copies of blades.
Click to expand...

Huh, I'll have to check those videos out. Thanks for the info!
 
What would set you apart from others is to develop a set of standard tests that you could subject each knife to with a scoring system so that each knife ended up with a number score.

I love to watch others talk about and fondle their knives on video - it is very helpful - but I like the actual testing videos more.

Cutting certain size rope strands, cutting cardboard of differing types, etc. - thats what I would like to see.

At the end of the testing - have some way to show how badly the blade steel has dulled. I listen to many talk about their experiences with different steels, but everyones use of the knife is different.

Good luck - I'll be on the lookout for your stuff...:cool:
 
Toyz said:
What would set you apart from others is to develop a set of standard tests that you could subject each knife to with a scoring system so that each knife ended up with a number score.

I love to watch others talk about and fondle their knives on video - it is very helpful - but I like the actual testing videos more.

Cutting certain size rope strands, cutting cardboard of differing types, etc. - thats what I would like to see.

At the end of the testing - have some way to show how badly the blade steel has dulled. I listen to many talk about their experiences with different steels, but everyones use of the knife is different.

Good luck - I'll be on the lookout for your stuff...:cool:
Click to expand...

Cutlery Science kind of does that, although maybe not to the extent that you are describing. Here is a review of the Falknniven U2 replete with graphs: http://www.cutleryscience.com/reviews/U2.html
 
Thanks to all for your help and info! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Toyz had mentioned a standard set of tests, and that's one thing I'd thought about as well. Anyone have any suggestions of what type of tests you'd like to see? I can readily get my hands on several different types or thicknesses of cardboard due to my job, and I have old boat ropes laying around in the shed from when my dad had his fishing boat. So those seemed like two good materials. What else would you like to see?
 
Maybe piercing into a phone book for stabbing depth

Cutting corrugated cardboard
Cutting regular cardboard (like the kind on the back of a pad of paper)

Cutting rope / string of 2 or 3 sizes that one would normally run into

Cutting corrugated plastic drainage pipe (horiz & vert) I find this to be a real test

Cutting burlap

Cutting thru scottowel rolls or a tougher cardboard tube

Cutting thru 6 mil plastic sheet

Hand hacking thru a certain size limb off a bush or tree

Making a feather stick out of the same limb

Cutting thru a clam package (always a tough one)

End it with the paper cutting to show how the blade held up

Just my .02 - would like to see what others would want:D
 
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