Ray Kirk..Wins First place

F

fisk

National Living Treasure & Subject Matter Expert
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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The James Batson knife symposium was just completed this past weekend.

Congradulations goes to Ray Kirk on winning the first cutting competition held there. They had a fun time with it. Ray and Keith Kilby tied for first place and was forced into a sudden chop off. First to complete the given cut won. Ray beat out Keith. Both were good sports about it shook hands. Contest was with open class 10 inch blades [style of their choosing]. It is always fun where the contestants enter to learn have a good time. Approx. 200 people were there to witness the cutting competition.

Next cutting competition will be at the annual Spring Hammer-in at the ABS school. 5 inch blade max hunting knives will be required there.
jf
 
Congrats Ray! Mr. Fisk, is there any chance you could give a little more detailed description of the events, and the knives each chose to use? Thanks.
 
Nice going, Ray!

(And congrats to Keith as well, since I have blades from both of you.
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See you in June.

Blues

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Live Free or Die

Blues' Knife Pix
 
Sic'em Ray!!! Way to go. Just goes to show you that even a blind hog will find a acorn every now and then.
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I would like to say "Thank you" to all. It was a very close contest to say the least and I knew that Steve Schwarzer would be hard to beat. He has to have about the fastest hands I have seen in a long time. I want to thank ML Williams for talking me into making a blade for the competetion.
I am getting ready to heat treat the 5" hunting knife for the contest at Washington on May the 6th. Thanks again for your kind words.

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Ray Kirk
http://www.tah-usa.net/raker

[This message has been edited by raker (edited 04-12-2001).]
 
Congratulations Ray. Hope things work out for you on the 6th too that is going to be one heck of a hammerin in a lot of ways!

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" The real art of living is to keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post in memory of James Mattis
 
Congrat's to Ray and all the contestants! I was there to witness the event, and let me tell you, it was exciting. There were approx (15) folks in the event, with many styles of blades represented. As stated earlier in the post, it came down to a cutoff. This consisted of having to cut "in-half" a standard size bussiness card, hanging from a suspended paper clip. If you made the cut, half the card had to reamin in the clip! They both got close, cutting through the card, but neither were able to have half the card remain in the clip. So, a new cut was ordered, which consisted of a standard 8 1/2" x 11 sheet of paper folded, or creased in half and setup on edge on top of wooden table. This is where things got real interesting. Keith Kilby was up to bat first, with his forged 52100 slight recurve chopper. Quick hands, and plenty of acceleration. led to his blade ripping through the free standing paper, and buried approx half-way into the 1/2" thick plywood top. Problem was, he had a small area of the sheet of paper still attached, kinda like "hanging chad". It was due to the recurve of his cutting edge. It was then Ray's turn, and with all the confidence and ease of a first time time cutting chapmpion, a flick of the wrist, led him to the cutting title! Mind you, all of this took place after 2 x 4's were cut in half, aluminum cans, thick cardboard tubing, 1" manilla rope, and with no edge touch up in between.

Good stuff!

David

 
Congratulations Ray! That is quite an achievement against stiff competition.

Jerry, the five inch competition sounds GREAT. I would imagine the tests will have to be a little different, with less emphasis on high speed slicing with a 10 inch blade. Since I collect hunters, not bowies, it would be really neat to read about the five inch cutting tests. It should bring a whole new dimension to the contest.
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Paracelsus
 
I have to agree with Eric...my RAKER knives have been been the sharpest custom knives I've received from any maker (edge retention has been great, as well). I'm glad to see Ray Kirk getting some much-deserved recognition...I've always been very impressed with all of my dealings with him. Congratulations, Ray!

Jim

[This message has been edited by UglyJim (edited 04-14-2001).]
 
Burke
I think D242 got most of the events covered. They were fun. Mr. Batson has said he wants to do it again next year. It will be a 10 inch open class again next year because you can learn so much about designs. The test do not go to the extent that one steel will prove over another. There is not enough time for that. If you use any standard steel and heat treat and temper it well it will hold up. The trick is the edge grind and design of the knife. The lady that participated showed me her knife before hand. I thought she would have trouble. After the event she said she would go home and knock the handles off and slim them down and not make them so round. She learned really quick. She had spunk going up against other makers. Will have to keep an eye on her. That is what is so interesting to me. You hear guys say "my knife will skin a 100 elephants" and such but till they put them up in competetion, that is just words.
Paracelsus
The hunting knife cutting at the spring abs hammer-in should prove to be fun and interesting also. There will be some realistic cutting events. We do not expect them to chop a 2x4 in 15 seconds with the thing. They were asked to bring a knife that they would use in the field. The events will really work over their basic design for small field knives their edge geometery as well and their edge retention. Most of the events for this are worked out now. Mike Williams and I are still struggling over 2 of them. I will certainly keep you posted on who does what and what the events ended up to be. Will not publish them publicly till after the events so no body gets a advantage. Some of the guys has tried to "special" grind before if they knew. You cannot do that. The client may not be able to be so particular when he cuts due to his situation so the knife should be capable of overall cutting.
Para, If you or anyone else has any thoughts on something to use in an event for a 5 inch hunting knife class throw it out to Mike and I. We are always open and if we get enough of them the guys will not know if we are going to use them or not or which one it will be. I will let you know after the event if we use it or not and give you credit. They have to be realistic events. I will not say, "oooh, good one" so the guys will not know, but thank you in advance if any of you guys have an idea.
jf
 
Congratulations to Ray. Sound like it was an exciting event for both participants and observers!

Would love to see a pic of the winning blade.
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sing
AKTI #A000356
 
:
Hey Ray Congrats!!!!!
I guess the one I got from you at Little Rock wouldn't qualify for the next contest since it comes in at 5 1/2" blade, But It's a Winner as well!!!!
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>>>>---Yvsa-G@WebTV.net---->®

"VEGETARIAN".............
Indin word for lousy hunter.
 
Congrats, Ray! Way to go!
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Cheers,
Brian
(formerly bcaffrey)
He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
Congrats, Ray!! I wish I would have made it to the Hammerin this year. I have been the past severl years, but forgot this one
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I, too, would like to see pics of the knife.

-Bart
 
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