Rope Cutting Record

A set of standards for cutting contests is the only way one competition can be compared to another. If different criteria are used at every contest then there will be no way to compare results.

I also think that cutting contests could become huge draws at knife shows and hammer-ins. They are already gaining in popularity. A group of contests leading to an official world championship might just turn out to be a real winner.
 
There is a set of rules, the same ones that have been in place since way back when Ed was still a pup. The ABS designed those tests for all around blade performance, A learning tool for the fledgling forgers.
It has gained in popularity over the past several years as a spectators sport. This not withstanding, the basic function is still "to test the quality of the forged blade". The ABS is not likely to change something that works so well as a teaching tool, since that is their basic function "teaching the forged blade".

If you wish to compete in that ball park, then expect to live by park rules. If those rules are unacceptable, then by all means start your own ball game.
 
Mike,

Don't get me wrong, I do like the idea of having more events per competition. Ed's rope knife wasn't designed to chop so it might break if put under that type of stress. If there are established rules and guidelines already in place what's the problem with hosting these events in more places? As you say, Ed's a go getter, and he did cut stuff at home(Oregon?), but he still wasn't able to compete for the title?

-Jose
 
Originally posted by Pete Peterson
There is a set of rules, the same ones that have been in place since way back when Ed was still a pup. The ABS designed those tests for all around blade performance, A learning tool for the fledgling forgers.
It has gained in popularity over the past several years as a spectators sport. This not withstanding, the basic function is still "to test the quality of the forged blade". The ABS is not likely to change something that works so well as a teaching tool, since that is their basic function "teaching the forged blade".

If you wish to compete in that ball park, then expect to live by park rules. If those rules are unacceptable, then by all means start your own ball game.
Click to expand...

Pete, I agree that when testing for your MS stamp then the rules for tests as set forward by the ABS are what should be adhered to. I do not however think that these cutting contests should be restricted to rope and 2x4 cutting (shaving hair and bending the knife would be of no interest for most people in such a cutting contest).

These events should be designed to give maximum entertainment to those watching and should have standardized competitions. No matter how many events there are per competition, these events should be the same from one competition to the next. Just like in a lumberjack or other similar type of competition.
 
I feel it is necessary to add a few comments to this thread. I have been lucky enough to be able to call Ed Schempp a very good friend for several years now. He has been one of the major forces in the explosion of the development of patternwelded materials that is taking place in the Northwest. He has opened himself, his shop, and his materials to anyone inetersed in this persuit. He is a full time dry-land wheat farmer covering 4000 acres with just 2 or three hired hands at the critical times. He does not make his living from knives or steel. I cannot say the same of myself. I need to create knives for food and shelter. Ed makes damascus and knives for the most genuie reason I can think of--The love of the craft. There are no questions of his integrity.
As for the rope cutter. These blades are FLAT ground with a diamond shaped cross section, This is done so the rope releases from the blade once it is 2/3 of the way through. Ed's research on San Mai construction and centercore materials have played a part in his ability to get through so many ropes. These knives are not ground too thin as some may think, but they have a reverse distal taper, leaving as much weight as possible towards the front of the blade. Also the hande shape is very important as well as the finger notches, as to encourage the handles ability to pivot in one's hand. They are very capable of cutting 2x4's, cigarette paper, soda cans, etc. I have competed with his knives and have had lot of practice time with them. As Ed does not make judgements about others without first hand knowledge of the facts, it is not fair to judge the abilities of these knives without having cut with one, or at least make one of this design, heat treat it to the best of your ability and then see what your results are. I have and I am dually impressed. Thanks Matt
 
Matt

I don't think anyone here has even hinted that Ed Schempps knives will not cut. They may be the best that has ever been, but unless they are compared on an equal footing with other cutters how is anyone able to seperate fact from fiction.

When this thread moved into "Blade Show & the ABS are dumping on ED"
for not letting him go by his own set of rules, You can expect those of us who have witnessed years of "full range" cutting events to ask for hard evidence.

Also if anyone got the impression that the tests used at the cutting competitions are the same as those for the ABS MS & JS stamps, they are not. They were developed to fully test a large knife. They may not be the best tests, but they do work very well and have for a long time.
 
Pete,

I don't think anyone was implying that the ABS was dumping on Ed. As I understand it, he was unable to compete because there were no ABS sanctioned competitions in the NW. It would be nice to be able to switch the channel to ESPN2 to watch the ABS World Championships, but it's going to be up to the ABS to expand their competition circuit. Maybe you think that more would just be too much in this case, and that's ok.

-Jose
 
Pete: I am no newcommer to the ABS. I have read everything the ABS had printed on testing and competition.
I have never seen anything describing the qualifying tests for the world championship. Tell me, what are the tests, what do they measure. How can other shows take part in hosting competition for the championship??
 
ED

The invitation to come to an Old Washington hammer-in has been extended to you and anyone else for years. Had you decided to attend then you would have witnessed first hand how the cutting competitions started, and developed into what they are today.
Your decision to not attend, for whatever reason, has placed you out of the loop on this issue. Before you sit on the sidelines and take pot shots, get your old bones down to the Old Washington hammer in, (Nov1&2) and find out what is going on. You are no older than I am so age is no excuse. Old Washington is where the ABS Blade school is so since the tests started out and CONTINUE TO BE a teaching tool, thats were you will find the facts.

Jose

The ABS sanction comes with a price tag.
First; It's ABS rules. (every one sings off the same sheet of music)
Second: It's supervised by ABS test personel.(Read that as someone who normally conducts the test). Only a full blown Idiot sanctions something he does not supervise.
Third: Near and dear to the hearts of all show promoters, Someone has to pay "in good old green backs" to get the test equipment and supervisor there. (If you want it bad enough, find away to pay for it)

If your Hammer-in/Show is willing to do it like everyone else does, then there should not be a problem.

As for "Too many cutters" When you witness what these tests put a blade and maker through, you'll have no call to make statements like that.
 
Sorry Pete, I must have misunderstood what you meant when you posted about the ABS rules for judging cutting. Though i know that they have rules as far as each event in a cutting competition is concerned, I do not think that there are established events for each competition. It seems that Jerry changes up the events on a regular basis to keep the contestants guessing as to what they will be doing. I personally believe that if it is to be an official world championship, the events must be the same, time in and time out, for every competition. If you are going to have competions that are just for the fun of it then you can make up whatever events you want each time, but if there is going to be an official world championship then there must be consistency.
 
I'm sitting back and waiting to see if this goes on as long as the "Cliff Stamp vs. Ed and Jose" thread. Some of this stuff is truly comical. :D

Thanks for the smile,
Brett
 
Pete,

You misunderstand me, I have nothing but the utmost admiration for the guys I watched compete at the World Championship. The point is that there's few enough qualified smiths out there so it would be worth the effort to try to make a qualifying event available to as many as possible. I agree with Keith in this matter, there has to be a set events from competition to competition. It's a bit different sport than the lumberjack competitions but that would probably be a good sport to try to emulate.

What kind of test equipment are we talking about? It would be nice to have these competitions at every knife show but that would be up to the promoter and depend on the sanctioning fees. If the goal is to put on a competition to give local smiths a chance to qualify then it seems reasonable to assume that entry fees would cover the costs. If not then maybe the ABS can take donations in order to help fund them.

I'm just giving my views and opinions here, I don't claim to have all the answers or the ability to get this stuff done. I do agree with Ed that this could be a very popular sport that places knives and makers in a positive light, and would be worth the effort of the ABS to expand and standardize their competitions.

Brett, maybe someday you'll be competing for the championship and can put a smile on my face...:D

-Jose
 
OK, Pete,

I am a relative newcommer to the ABS. While at blade show last summer I made several inquires into what it would take to get an ABS sanctioned cutting event in the northwest. I have sent e-mails sence then with more inquires. I am still waiting for answers.

So I am asking You, right here, right now, in front of the whole forum. What do we have to do to get a sanction to have a cutting contest that will let the winner play with the rest of you at Blade show? Please tell don't tell me that I have to come to Arkansas. If this is going to be called the World champion cutting event then us in the west should be able to find a representative to send to the finals without traveling to the East, South, SouthEast or North, NorthEast.
 
Unfortunately one man cannot answer that question for you. This is a group effort that envolves a great deal of thought, discussion, time, travel, and expense.

At the risk of seeming like an ass, I would like to direct everyone to another thread I started regarding the ABS Cutting Competitions. This will allow the current thread to resume on topic, which is the rope cutting record -- something completely different from the ABS Cutting Competitions.

Here's the link:

Understanding the ABS Cutting Competition
 
Thanks Terry.
I didn't- don't want this thread to get into a difference of opinion thread.Please stay on track guys.
Thanks in advance.
Randy
 
:)
It is funny how a thread intended to congratulate Ed Schempp for his achievement has turned awry. Anyway, congratulations to Mr. Schempp.
 
OK, I'll put us back on track. Congratulations to Ed!! I was in that competition, and was blown away by what Ed accomplished! I have cut as many as 8 ropes in private, and 6 in competition, but Ed has the technique, the strength, and certainly has done his homework on the proper blade style/geometry/composition to be the best at rope cutting. Not 5 mins before Ed pulled off the 11 ropes, I asked him......"do you think that 9 ropes is the physical limit that a 10" blade can cut?" His response was a simple "No." Afterwards I asked what he was going to do now.............he said that maybe he would retire! :) Yea right! My hats off to him...... He is the king of rope cutting!
 
Congratulations FES, er, uh, I mean Ed Schempp!!!

Even though Ed gives me more $hit than anybody else at the shows, he also makes me laugh the whole time. He is one cool kat, and he deserves a HUGE congrats for what he did at our show...11 ropes!

Ed, you rock...

Deuce Screensaver
 
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