The "Ask Nathan a Question" Thread

TRfromMT said:
Why didn't anyone get it when I said, "I'm Nathan the Machinist"?
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Only a matter of time. Strap on a field knife or light chopper soon and it'll be just like Daryl Dixon with a Team Gemini.

Son: "Mom! Dad! Look, there goes Nathan the Machinist! Dad, I've GOT to have a light chopper!!" Daughter: "Oh, and look Mom, Jo's with him. Can I be Jo next year Mom? She's got the heart of an Angel....in a jar!" :D
 
Dumb question, but what size allen key do the scale bolts take on the Field Knife? None of my metric keys fit, so I'm assuming it needs an imperial key?
 
Mr. the Machinist, do you have a recommendation for a non-machinist on a 2x72 grinder that doesn't involve much DIY knowledge?

I have a Craftsman 2x42 and a couple HF 1x30's but even with ceramic platens the 2x42 is completely unsuited for anything other than rough hogging the metal down. It doesn't have the clearance to get near the plunge line consistently. I'm not much of a welder and wiring stuff up terrifies me.

I plan on selling sheaths till I can fund the grinder since I have a little knack for that, I'd definitely prefer to buy once and cry once.

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grogimus said:
Mr. the Machinist, do you have a recommendation for a non-machinist on a 2x72 grinder that doesn't involve much DIY knowledge?

I have a Craftsman 2x42 and a couple HF 1x30's but even with ceramic platens the 2x42 is completely unsuited for anything other than rough hogging the metal down. It doesn't have the clearance to get near the plunge line consistently. I'm not much of a welder and wiring stuff up terrifies me.

I plan on selling sheaths till I can fund the grinder since I have a little knack for that, I'd definitely prefer to buy once and cry once.

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Sorry I don't have a recommendation for a turn key grinder. We use the KMG. It requires some setup but it isn't too bad.
 
Would the racing chopper have any advantage over the light chopper in a bushcraft setting?
 
No. It's ground thinner and the edge more acute. It's somewhat fragile if used incorrectly and a wonky off axis impact could bend the bevel. The LC is a sportscar and the race LC is a race car.
 
argyle1812 said:
Would the racing chopper have any advantage over the light chopper in a bushcraft setting?
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The Racing Light Chopper is ground thinner and sharpened more acutely and is comparatively fragile.

I first heard the term "racing knife" from Dan Keffeler referring to the knives that cutters use in competition that they wouldn't let just anybody use because they're thin and tuned and work very well in a skilled person's hands but can be damaged if used carelessly.

When I was prototyping the Light Chopper there were three identical knives that Dan, Lorien and I all used. Lorien and I both managed to bend our primary bevels but (despite hitting much harder) Dan didn't have any problems. This is because his hits are straight and aligned without as much lateral force as the less skilled cutters.

The Racing Light Choppers are tuned for a skilled cutter and predictable materials. If you cut sloppy or hit a hard oak knot you could damage it. But if you're a skilled cutter and don't hit any rocks the RLC cuts like a lightsaber. I've been using one to trim my hedges, which is something I would not normally do with a knife, but it doesn't even require much arm movement and thin springy limbs come off like you're flicking a light switch. <--- you really can't do that very well with anything else.

If you're a reasonably skilled cutter you can get through 2X4s without any problem and it will improve your scores in the bendy straws, hanging ropes, cans and water bottles in a competition, or allow you to work more efficiently and with less effort around your house and farm etc.

I'd use an RLC in a bushcraft setting, but that's just me.
 
The RLC also cuts your lawn with the flick of a wrist. You can leave the bottom of an empty soda/pop can in place when you cut in in half quite easily as well.
 
Nathan the Machinist said:
When I was prototyping the Light Chopper there were three identical knives that Dan, Lorien and I all used. Lorien and I both managed to bend our primary bevels but (despite hitting much harder) Dan didn't have any problems. This is because his hits are straight and aligned without as much lateral force as the less skilled cutters.
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to be fair, the bevel on mine rippled more due to what I was cutting than how I was cutting
 
timichango said:
Jesus.

So it's basically a chopper-sized straight razor.
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I don't think it's that sharp lol.

First try, with a LC..

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Nathan, I have read your most recent posts about the EDC 2.0 (next gen) to be offered in 3V, D2 and 4V. Are you abandoning the D3V heat treat or was that just an omission of sorts?
 
Casinostocks said:
Nathan, I have read your most recent posts about the EDC 2.0 (next gen) to be offered in 3V, D2 and 4V. Are you abandoning the D3V heat treat or was that just an omission of sorts?
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:eek: Abandon the Delta protocol? Good heavens no...

Those are the three alloys the EDC is being made in. Those alloys get a heat treat (obviously) and the 3V will most certainly get the Delta protocol. The D2 gets an optimized HT as well, and we're working on optimizing a HT for 4V this winter.
 
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