Testing: What I would Like To See

[VorpelSword]

I would like to see a testing program that buys high end knives from premium makers and thoroughly ests them . . .to destruction.

Testing edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness in the usual way through scientifically rigorous standardized methods would come first followed by toughie, even abusive things such as penetration, battening and vice-bending would follow.

I want to see comparison testing of fixed blades from makers such as Chris Reeve and other high end premium makers. I'd like to see comparison testing of folders from Spiderco, Bench made and other makers of quality pocket knives.

In my vision, some non-profit organization, backed by an industry and/or individuals supporting to a crowd funding site to buy these expensive test articles on the open market. Testing could be live-streamed on YouTube.

I am sure hat there is a more sophisticated way to propose this. I am open to suggestions.

 

[Cvrobinson]

You left out spine whacking

 

[Mk-211]

Send me your money, I will test them however you want!

Heck, I'll even cut nails, bricks, car doors...

I'm imagining all the fun I can have, on someone else's dime.

Church of the Blade, maybe I get a 501(c)(3)?

 

[91bravo]

Send your blade to Joe X.

 

[SharpBits]

I'm not sure what this would accomplish? Steels are already tested for corrosion, toughness, and edge retention by the esteemed Dr. Larrin Thomas and others. As to testing the knives to destruction, well I already know that I can break any knife I own by doing stupid things to it. Why would we need to formalize doing stupid things with knives when we already know knives can be broken?

 

[Quiet]

I would like to see a testing program that buys high end knives from premium makers and thoroughly ests them . . .to destruction.

Testing edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness in the usual way through scientifically rigorous standardized methods would come first followed by toughie, even abusive things such as penetration, battening and vice-bending would follow.

I want to see comparison testing of fixed blades from makers such as Chris Reeve and other high end premium makers. I'd like to see comparison testing of folders from Spiderco, Bench made and other makers of quality pocket knives.

In my vision, some non-profit organization, backed by an industry and/or individuals supporting to a crowd funding site to buy these expensive test articles on the open market. Testing could be live-streamed on YouTube.

I am sure hat there is a more sophisticated way to propose this. I am open to suggestions.

There are already dumb Youtubers who do this. If destruction porn that serves no realworld valuable purpose is your jam, then there are several guys who do this already. Last thing we need is another dolt killing perfectly good knives to feed peoples' disaster fantasies.

 

[DocJD]

IMO , for knives and other tools marketed for hard use /work , emergency , survival etc . destruct testing is both fair and valuable to potential buyers / users .

I'd prefer a more scientific type approach than the Joe X process , but better than nothing .

When cars are crash tested for safety , nobody (hardly) screams that you shouldn't do that to a car .

When Joe X breaks a knife ...

 

[jbmonkey]

IMO , for knives and other tools marketed for hard use /work , emergency , survival etc . destruct testing is both fair and valuable to potential buyers / users .

I'd prefer a more scientific type approach than the Joe X process , but better than nothing .

When cars are crash tested for safety , nobody (hardly) screams that you shouldn't do that to a car .

When Joe X breaks a knife ...

joe x only goal is to break the knife.....that's why it isn't testing or comparing to any other knife. he does whatever he needs, to get that knife to break.

Demko and Wallaces testing at cold steel was proper and fair and gave us good results on what knife could handle what.

 

[DMG]

IMO , for knives and other tools marketed for hard use /work , emergency , survival etc . destruct testing is both fair and valuable to potential buyers / users .

I'd prefer a more scientific type approach than the Joe X process , but better than nothing .

When cars are crash tested for safety , nobody (hardly) screams that you shouldn't do that to a car .

When Joe X breaks a knife ...

Cars are crash tested to see how they protect the occupants. Not to see how easily they are damaged.

 

[Quiet]

IMO , for knives and other tools marketed for hard use /work , emergency , survival etc . destruct testing is both fair and valuable to potential buyers / users .

I'd prefer a more scientific type approach than the Joe X process , but better than nothing .

When cars are crash tested for safety , nobody (hardly) screams that you shouldn't do that to a car .

When Joe X breaks a knife ...

Politely, this is an extremely poor analogy. A car crash can end a life. A family of four people can die if their sedan wasn't built properly and they get t-boned by a drunk driver in a pickup truck. That is a realworld statistical probability, as people get into wrecks of all sizes every single day in this country.

Joe X and his tests are dumb because all it does is feed into (as I already stated) disaster fantasies that people who live comfortable relatively boring safe lives in modern day (usually in Suburbia) like to fantasize about. In what actual statistically relevant situation* would someone need a knife that you can beat into a metal sign post? In what realworld actual situation would you need a knife whose blade can stand up to being shot with a handgun caliber round? What realworld statistical actual situation would you need a knife that could be hammered into a crack in a brick wall to serve as a footstand? I could go on. I know, am friends with, and am related to more than my fair share of military, police, tradesfolks, and a few firefighters. Oddly, not one of them has ever encountered a situation wherein destroying a pocket knife or fixed blade was all that stood between them and death.

So, actually, comparing Joe X's dumb simp mask knife torture videos and the work that manufacturers do to ascertain the safety of their products is pretty insulting to the people that do that work.


* Statistically relevant, as can be shown that it has actually happened to people, and not in a fantasy.

 

[jbmonkey]

Politely, this is an extremely poor analogy. A car crash can end a life. A family of four people can die if their sedan wasn't built properly and they get t-boned by a drunk driver in a pickup truck. That is a realworld statistical probability, as people get into wrecks of all sizes every single day in this country.

Joe X and his tests are dumb because all it does is feed into (as I already stated) disaster fantasies that people who live comfortable relatively boring safe lives in modern day (usually in Suburbia) like to fantasize about. In what actual statistically relevant situation* would someone need a knife that you can beat into a metal sign post? In what realworld actual situation would you need a knife whose blade can stand up to being shot with a handgun caliber round? What realworld statistical actual situation would you need a knife that could be hammered into a crack in a brick wall to serve as a footstand? I could go on. I know, am friends with, and am related to more than my fair share of military, police, tradesfolks, and a few firefighters. Oddly, not one of them has ever encountered a situation wherein destroying a pocket knife or fixed blade was all that stood between them and death.

So, actually, comparing Joe X's dumb simp mask knife torture videos and the work that manufacturers do to ascertain the safety of their products is pretty insulting to the people that do that work.


* Statistically relevant, as can be shown that it has actually happened to people, and not in a fantasy.

I'll have you know stabbing car hoods repeatedly is a crucial part of my daily knife tasks........

 

[Drop bear]

joe x only goal is to break the knife.....that's why it isn't testing or comparing to any other knife. he does whatever he needs, to get that knife to break.

Demko and Wallaces testing at cold steel was proper and fair and gave us good results on what knife could handle what.

 

[DocJD]

joe x only goal is to break the knife

IMO , not true ! He's also trying real hard to get laughs and more viewers .

Seriously though , he does compare similar knives and their relative breaking points .

Like the old school Cold Steel Warcraft vs the current GSM model with the same name .

Not afraid to call out GSM either .

He also compared the old CS machetes from SA vs the current same from China .

 

[Quiet]

I'll have you know stabbing car hoods repeatedly is a crucial part of my daily knife tasks........

Dude, I do that to ten cars before lunch. It happens two or three times a week where I am forced to use my pocket knife as a fulcrum in order to help a friend rapel down a steep hill to rescue his dog after we all tied our shoelaces together to use as a rope. Just yesterday, I forgot the combination to my old timey wall safe so I used my pocket knife to pry the door open, good thing my knife had a Triad lock!!

 

[DocJD]

Politely,

 

[VorpelSword]

IMO , for knives and other tools marketed for hard use /work , emergency , survival etc . destruct testing is both fair and valuable to potential buyers / users .

I'd prefer a more scientific type approach than the Joe X process , but better than nothing .

When cars are crash tested for safety , nobody (hardly) screams that you shouldn't do that to a car .

When Joe X breaks a knife ...

And that is pretty much my point.

 

[Drop bear]

I would like to see pens destruction tested. Because I don't think anyone does them. And I don't think there is a big difference.

But knives. I imagine the destruction tests to be for the romantic version of a survival situation where you have to cut your way out of a building. Or build a shelter.

Really serious stuff. That you possibly never do. But just want to know you can do. (Crash helmets would be the best metaphor)

And If they are going to do that. I would like to see that. Because it becomes a challenge for the tester as well.

So yeah. Get a pocket knife and cut your way on to the roof to avoid a flood or something.

I think something like that would be fun.

 

[Quiet]

I would like to see pens destruction tested. Because I don't think anyone does them. And I don't think there is a big difference.

But knives. I imagine the destruction tests to be for the romantic version of a survival situation where you have to cut your way out of a building. Or build a shelter.

Really serious stuff. That you possibly never do. But just want to know you can do. (Crash helmets would be the best metaphor)

And If they are going to do that. I would like to see that. Because it becomes a challenge for the tester as well.

So yeah. Get a pocket knife and cut your way on to the roof to avoid a flood or something.

I think something like that would be fun.

Problem with this is that the Youtuber would have to have some actual skill at doing those things (most of 'em don't), so they opt for clownshoes nonsense like beating a fixed blade into a metal pole instead. No real skill involved there, and people who are easily entertained will give you a follow and a like, and companies will send you free knives so you can advertise for them.

Also, it doesn't really bode well for a company who sells knives in super steels when literally everything you'd actually need to be able to do in those situations you mentioned could be done with a $120 Becker BK9 or ESEE in good ole 1095. Oops.

 

[SharpBits]

I would like to see pens destruction tested. Because I don't think anyone does them. And I don't think there is a big difference.

But knives. I imagine the destruction tests to be for the romantic version of a survival situation where you have to cut your way out of a building. Or build a shelter.

Really serious stuff. That you possibly never do. But just want to know you can do. (Crash helmets would be the best metaphor)

And If they are going to do that. I would like to see that. Because it becomes a challenge for the tester as well.

So yeah. Get a pocket knife and cut your way on to the roof to avoid a flood or something.

I think something like that would be fun.

Sadly, crash helmets are used daily in crashes.

 

[RocketFoot]

Most people are more likely to lose a knife long before they would ever use it hard enough to destroy it! Real world testing should be opening Amazon boxes and cutting an occasional cable tie. If you get really crazy, you might cut a piece of cake in the breakroom at someone's retirement party!