Some testing of my FABM and Anorexic BIBB

[Ban]

Did some performance testing of my FABM and my Anorexic BIBB the last couple of days.

Just did some chopping of seasoned 2X4's to see how they performed against relatively dry and hard wood.

Basically, I would chop at the 2X4 on one side until it was half-way through then flipped it over and repeated the process until it was finally cut clean off.


My FABM was able to go through the 2X4 in approximately 36-40 chops.

My modified Thin BIBB was able to do it in a average of 60 chops which is very close to a standard CGFBM. Both Wash and I agreed that the chopping performance between the 2 is very close. I would have to say that the Anorexic BIBB put up a stellar performance considering that it was only about half the weight of a CGFBM.

I would like to try a standard FFBM to see how it compares.




My FABM

and Anorexic BIBB

Anorexic BIBB in between a NO-E and BM-E
[img]http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75184&d=1184132871

 

[Ban]

OK, I am sure that others have tried chopping 2X4's with their Busse knives. Anyone have some data that they can add to this? I just want to see how they compare to my own data.

Tyrkon, Gimmejr, or anyone else,

If you have a FFBM.... Take it out and chop a 2X4 and report back. Or you can send it to me and let me take it for a test drive

 

[Hogwash]

I didn't see Ban's FABM (Fusion Anorexic Battle Mistress) chop, but the Anorexib BIBB was pretty amazing.

It choped through a 2 by 4 twice and was subjected to some other general abuse. After that, the edge looked pristine and it's thinner than the factory edge on my Bad Warden. Ban's satin finish had a few scratches but after a couple minutes with a piece of 320 grit sand paper, almost all of them were gone.

I'm convinced that INFI is a good enough steel that the thick factory edge is gross overkill. Thin is in.

 

[xaman]

Ban,

that BIBB is awesome -- i can't believe it did that well and is that THIN! I think I'm hearing you right that it is performaing almost as well as a standard FBM? Awesome.

I did some 2x4 chopping just yesterday with a rat daddy, but didn't count swings. Seems to me that it would be in the 50 range though.

Do you think the increased performance is primarily due to the thin edges you have on the knives? Did you hit any knots, how does the thin edge hold up?

 

[Justabuyer]

deleted ignore

 

[xaman]

okay, wash answered my edge question. i wonder how it would do if you either missed or just hit something else (like a nail in the board...) I'm sure that's when the "more metal behind the edge" philosophy would shine.

Gravelface was here recently and we chopped 2x4's. His thick and heavy FBM proto had a real thin edge and it was the best chopper by far. We didn't get into anythink but soft wood, but it was the hands down winner...

 

[Hogwash]

The amazing thing is how light it is. It makes a Hell Razor seem heavy.

Since it doesn't have as much mass behind it, the chopping is even more impressive.

 

[Hogwash]

We didn't chop through any nails.

Ban kept asking me if I wanted to try my 'ganzaa AK on some sheet metal but I chickened out.

 

[Ban]

Xaman,

Yes, you got that right! The Anorexic BIBB is very close to the stock CGFBM in performance. It may be a few chops behind but definately very very close. I don't mind trading the few extra chops for a significantly lighter knife. The BIBB is definately not more than half the weight of the CGFBM.

I don't remember hitting any knots with the BIBB but I don't think it would be a problem. The performace increase is mainly due to edge geometry. The BIBB has a thinner edge allowing it to dig just as deep as the FBM despite being neutral balance and half the weight. Granted that it's lateral strength is nowhere near that of the FBM because its thickness is only .140. I don't intend to pry with it so that is a moot point for me. The anorexic BIBB is in my opinion a ideal general purpose camp knife. It can slice, dice, and filet. And can even chop very decently if required. It was also used to baton through 2X4's lengthwise with very littly effort.

 

[Ban]

okay, wash answered my edge question. i wonder how it would do if you either missed or just hit something else (like a nail in the board...) I'm sure that's when the "more metal behind the edge" philosophy would shine.

Gravelface was here recently and we chopped 2x4's. His thick and heavy FBM proto had a real thin edge and it was the best chopper by far. We didn't get into anythink but soft wood, but it was the hands down winner...

Yes, if we are talking about chopping nails then of course the edge with more metal will take less damage. Most folks don't chop nails and I would never intentionally do that with any of my thick expensive knives let alone thin ones. Although I wouldn't mind trying that with demolishing tools like a K5 Tomahawk.

I handled a FBM Proto and it does have a very thin edge compared to the CGFBM. My BIBB has a thinner edge and my FABM is very close and maybe a slightly thinner edge than the Proto.