Rubber Band Sharpness Test

G

gunhou

Joined
Jan 20, 1999
Messages
199
Some of you may have seen this on Usenet/rec.knives:
A test for the sharpness of your knives: Loop a band around the blade, and stretch it away from the edge as far as it will go. Let go of the band, which will snap against the edge and (maybe) be cut by it. A dull knife will not cut the rubber; a sharp knife will cut the loop open; but a VERY sharp knife will cut the band into MANY pieces. This really works...try it! But lay in a good supply of rubber bands first...it's fun!

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The sword cannot cut itself, the eye cannot see itself.
 
As busy as I am I couldn't resist. I have Rusty's blem 12 inch Sirupati he's picking up tomorrow laying nearby. I did the rubber band test and the band just sort of disappeared. I can't find any of it -- test conditions: outside with slight breeze and lots of nooks and crannies for band pieces to fall into.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
Himalayan Imports Website
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Himalayan Imports Archives (18,000+ posts)
 
That is a really neat test. I just pulled my Sifu out of my pocket to try it. It cut the rubber band into two seperate pieces. I must find more bands and experiment with more knives. Also hi there fellow Mainer! I hardly see any thing from other Maineiacs.
Take Care All!
 
I tried it with my pocketknife, which I have been using to start fires with a flint, so it's not exactly sharp by my usual standards. It cut the band in one place - but I had to hunt through my office to find the band afterwards to confirm that. I'll have to try it again after sharpening - and after I get some more rubber bands.
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OK, I tied my last rubber band back together to repeat the test... and in the process, found a SECOND cut in the band, almost all the way through it. It's a good thing I don't have a slow motion camera, or I'd be trying to get video of exactly what the heck is happening.

This is a very cool little game.

[This message has been edited by Jeff Paulsen (edited 08-25-2000).]
 
Oh, the things we do when we should be being productive ....

My "villager," which I just sharpened, gave me one clean cut through a heavy duty rubber band. There's another bigger and better one here that wants me to spend some more time with it and the Sharpmaker. A few knives around here that could shave arm hair did one clean cut also.

Then I reached for the sharpest thing in sight, which is a new Spyderco Santoku kitchen knife - thin stock. The rubber band is now in two main pieces, and a third tiny little piece, and the largest piece is nearly cut through in another place, and there's yet another nick cut in the edge of it. That thing is scary-sharp!
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- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
The record seems to be seven pieces. (Not by me!!)
Ken

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The sword cannot cut itself, the eye cannot see itself.
 
Archangel and gunhou, you are not the only Mainers on board!

Haven't tried the test yet but I am looking forward to it!

Rob (formerly MauiRob)
 
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