Hello all! I was at the building supply store today trying to figure out how to fix my %$#@ing window when I discovered a big pile of 1/2" manilla rope. Finally a chance to do some true rope tests! I bought 35' and headed home to play.
I decided to play with my two favourite knifes, a Busse #7 and a Newt Livesay RTAK (I'd have included my BM-E but I don't have it yet). Firstly, let me say that the RTAK has quite a length advantage over the #7 so one of the results is not surprising. Secondly, both knives have a 24 degree angle, sharpened to 3000 grit and stropped.
I began with the hanging rope test. The RTAK did a better job here and I figure that's because it's a thinner stock (3/16") and a longer blade (more of a stroke). The #7 bit deep every time but only once did I get it go all the way through. All cuts were done with about 1-1/2' of rope below the cut point.
I then took all the sections of rope and started cutting them into small sections. First by chopping at them and then by laying the same section of the blade on top and leaning down. The results here were interesting. The RTAK chopped as well as the #7, but required more force when simply leaning on the blade. Also, you felt that the #7 was making a cleaner cut with less effort.
After my 35' of rope was reduced to about 20' I checked the edges of both knives. They were still razor sharp although the #7 seemed to feel sharper to the touch and could push cut paper with ease, the RTAK could push cut, but not as well. A few strokes with a loaded strop and both were terrifyingly sharp again.
I'm not sure how scientific all this is, but boy did I ever have fun out there!
The moral of this story? BUY A BUSSE! BUY IT NOW! CALL PRISCO!
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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
I decided to play with my two favourite knifes, a Busse #7 and a Newt Livesay RTAK (I'd have included my BM-E but I don't have it yet). Firstly, let me say that the RTAK has quite a length advantage over the #7 so one of the results is not surprising. Secondly, both knives have a 24 degree angle, sharpened to 3000 grit and stropped.
I began with the hanging rope test. The RTAK did a better job here and I figure that's because it's a thinner stock (3/16") and a longer blade (more of a stroke). The #7 bit deep every time but only once did I get it go all the way through. All cuts were done with about 1-1/2' of rope below the cut point.
I then took all the sections of rope and started cutting them into small sections. First by chopping at them and then by laying the same section of the blade on top and leaning down. The results here were interesting. The RTAK chopped as well as the #7, but required more force when simply leaning on the blade. Also, you felt that the #7 was making a cleaner cut with less effort.
After my 35' of rope was reduced to about 20' I checked the edges of both knives. They were still razor sharp although the #7 seemed to feel sharper to the touch and could push cut paper with ease, the RTAK could push cut, but not as well. A few strokes with a loaded strop and both were terrifyingly sharp again.
I'm not sure how scientific all this is, but boy did I ever have fun out there!
------------------
"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
