The art of cutting

[golok]

I read with great interest the thread posted by Fisk on the Batson symposium cutting competition.

I know a knife must have certain qualities before it can pass all the stringent tests. Now is it even remotely possible that a guy who knows how to wield a knife in a certain way, using an energy from his arm, can cut better and faster than a normal chap?

I am asking this before I know of certain martial arts exponents who can do this with a certain kinetic energy generated from somewhere in their body and make a tool like a knife in their hands perform "miracles."

I know we are treading on an almost uncharted territory here. I am not questioning the strengths of all these well made knives but I am thinking of an aspect of cutting that some people are familiar with, though not many.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Yes, technique is very important, both in increasing the cutting ability of the tool, as well as lowering the amount of stress it experiences during the cut. As for methods, they change depending on what you are trying to cut. However in general there are a few things that you should keep in mind :

1) Go through the cut. Before you do the actual swing, when you picture in your head the perfect cut, don't stop at the end of the material, but complete the motion. When you make the swing do the same. Now of course once the cut is done, and the knife has passed through the rope (or whatever) nothing you do can effect it, this only ensures that you complete the cut in a smooth manner and don't stop short.

2) In the vast majority of cases use a draw or slicing motion. Slicing, in general, can drop the load that a knife needs to cut through something significantly. This is a very large effect, easily 50% or more depending on edge aggression. Knives even when significantly blunted, can still for example push cut paper long past the time they can push cut right through it.

3) Most of the time, cutting on angles is far better than a 90 degree smash into the material. Angles will allow you to use tension to your advantage as well as cut with the grain of the material instead of against it, which is far harder.

4) Try to cut using as much as your body as you can. This does allow you to get more power, but mainly makes you concentrate, and keep the path of the knife (or axe or whatever) much more stable.

5) Be consistent in the cut. If for example you want to cut through something at a 45 degree angle, then start from the top of the swing at the same angle. If you come in flat and then try to get the required angle at the bottom, it is very difficult to do it cleanly. If you check wood cuts you will see waves (scallops) in the cuts when this is the case. Constant angles will leave straight surfaces.

There is lots more, and much beyond pure technique such as chosing the edge finish that gives the best performance (which differs depending on the task), as well as understanding the difference that geometry makes, such as a recurve, and knowing how to maximize its abilities (where to cut on the blade for example), knowing when to choose speed over raw power etc. .

And of course, practice, practice, practice. Theory is great to tell you where to start, but experimentation is the key to knowledge.

-Cliff

 

[golok]

Thanks Cliff for the usual interesting answer. I could almost swear you were a martial arts person.

 

[RHINOKNIVES]

golok, i know we use the term martial arts, but it is a science. that means the results are repeatable. people use many diff, ways to mentally prepare but it is the proper movement, angle etc. that does the cutting.