TitaniLor

Want see video :/ no workie yet...

Love where you live... been to Victoria and the surrounding area once.. Need to get back up there
 
[video=youtube;C92oG0a-J0k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C92oG0a-J0k[/video]

[video=youtube;Ell48d1-Gk4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ell48d1-Gk4[/video]
 
Sorry folks, looks like I had the vid set to 'private'. Should work now, if not, please let me know.

[video=youtube;N-0iD1TaZUo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-0iD1TaZUo[/video]
 
Hmmm so you are wanting a 2nd one with a shorter blade height, but thicker stock?? I would think more flex would be good for your use.. but more weight might be good too... taller blade with a FFG perhaps?
 
flex is a problem for some things, but not for others. Springiness can be an attribute in some cases, but for the majority of stuff, a stiffer blade's benefits would outweigh the benefits of a springier blade, if that makes sense.

The limiting factor here is the barstock size that Sam has access to. It can be forged out to about 2", which is where we're at with this one, but of course that makes for less thickness. By decreasing the forged out width, we can maintain, (I think) enough thickness to avoid the deflection that I've experienced in cutting some types of plant. That deflection can be a little dangerous.

Wrt weight, it shouldn't be much different, depending on how much material is ground off.

The new pattern, on its way to Sam as we speak, is a little over an inch shorter. It's just the way it came out on paper, but also, this design is just a little long to mount to my pack without it getting in the way from time to time, so a little extra clearance is not a bad thing.

I'm extremely happy with the overall weight, but it's the balance that makes this sword magical. One hand use is not a problem, it's still very controllable.
 
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Hello!

Lorien, thank you for another extremely cool project my friend! Love your original design!

The way it turned out is very nice as well! And your action-vids are as enjoyable as always!

All the best,
Alex

PS: if you ever "want" to get rid of this beast, I hope you'll think of me... ;)
 
[video=youtube;ceoVf9kGPtA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceoVf9kGPtA[/video]

[video=youtube;5YXGc5p-3UU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YXGc5p-3UU[/video]

[video=youtube;Xv0C9FjpNDk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv0C9FjpNDk[/video]
 
[video=youtube;zXjLXi-PSLU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXjLXi-PSLU[/video]


[video=youtube;dQvizLY6WGY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQvizLY6WGY[/video]


My first major test session went extremely well. Better than expected, actually. Colour me impressed!

I've had my doubts about the practicality of the usage of titanium as a blade material for brushing tools such as this, but I can unequivocally say that beta ti is up to the task.

In fact, for my trail building pursuits, it might just be the best material I've ever used. Light weight, corrosion proofness and toughness are incredible attributes, but the most amazing thing that I've noticed is edge stability. In fact, it seems as though the edge gets keener with use, not duller. The work hardening characteristic shows itself to be of great benefit, for obvious reasons.

I will make it my mission to test this further, potentially to destruction. If that's even possible.
 
Lorien,

Are you clearing the trail for mountain biking? Those pink strips of cloth/linen def reminds me of the the hash trails we are clearing (which we sometimes sprayed paints in absence of chopper and now replaced it with tying a rope around the trees).

I'm thinking you might have benefited from a shorter stock, say OAL of 25" and with a thicker stock and perhaps a different blade profile as well?

[video=youtube;2aLlC3baeiE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aLlC3baeiE[/video]

It's a Ginunting from Phillippines. Ginunting in local language means scissors. In this case of a shorter stock, Ginunting maximized the cutting length with a follow through. More like a straightened sickle that gathers strings of shoots and severe them in light swings.Set backs will be that 2 hand wielding isn't customary and the tip might experience damage to pebbles/stones.I really wonder if that will help to clear those Ocean spray easier?

Coming to think of that, maybe there's a learning curve for Ti sword as compared to the Keffeler profile that you are familiar with?
I noticed that a lot of times we have very tight spaces to swing our blades. I guess that was why you opted for longer handle (for leverage) that you could use multiple grip.

Just throwing some ideas. I'm sure we like to cover most plants that we could have clear them like a machete but still have enough mass to overpower larger logs.

Thank you for the videos and good sharing!
Nice to know the work hardening on the go and very happy that you found a material that sets a clear path for your trail.
 
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Thanks for your impressions so far, Lorien. :thumbup:

I don't see the edge thickness mentioned here--maybe I'm missing it? And the edge bevel angle?
 
Thanks for your impressions so far, Lorien. :thumbup:

I don't see the edge thickness mentioned here--maybe I'm missing it? And the edge bevel angle?

it was thin. Really thin. In fact I'm amazed it held up so well with that geometry. I've used other knives which were way fatter, that suffered more damage through heavy use than this. And those were one handed knives.

Now it's about 1mm at the grind line, and I'd guess the angle to be around 25 degrees. That's after some repair work, some of which can be viewed below, (the rest was with a mill bastard file);

[video=youtube;3tsbxwBNGJI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tsbxwBNGJI[/video]

[video=youtube;6tkb6SJyeRo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tkb6SJyeRo[/video]
 
Thanks for posting your conclusions, Lorien, that's a lot of footage and photos. I've no doubt you'll find a way to smash the blade to bits, but pleased it's held up well to field use. Hopefully more knife-makers will consider using beta titanium alloys for some of their creations! :)
 
hey thanks man! That's kind of you to say :)
I tape pieces of paper together.

One thing I should get one day is a drafting table, that would be a huge improvement over my current caveman system. I still can't get myself to design on computer. I got CAD but so little time to learn how to use it, time better spent constantly erasing shit.

oh lol whatever works right? but after reading your response it got me thinking of different options when i remembered how when i was still in school they had those huge rolls of paper so i did a little googleing and found it here http://www.amazon.com/Pacon-57015-Fadeless-Paper-White/dp/B00006IDXW and they have all different widths and lengths you might want to look into it as well

a drafting table would be really cool i just got my hands on a huge desk for my computer 3'x6' and that is one of the thing im looking forward to with it (in other words scatter half done drawings everywhere until a cat or dog spills beer on them) lol
CAD would definitely be best if you had one of those graphics tablets so you could draw the shape in and then doctor it up with the software
 
Excellent. Could you put that caliper on the edge bevel shoulder and give us a read on actual edge thickness?

Thanks again. :thumbup:
 
Excellent. Could you put that caliper on the edge bevel shoulder and give us a read on actual edge thickness?

Thanks again. :thumbup:

I did. 1mm.
 
Thanks for posting your conclusions, Lorien, that's a lot of footage and photos. I've no doubt you'll find a way to smash the blade to bits, but pleased it's held up well to field use. Hopefully more knife-makers will consider using beta titanium alloys for some of their creations! :)

Congratulations to both you and Lorien for putting in the materials, time, knowledge and considerable effort it took to make this project a reality, including some impressive field testing and video. Looking forward to seeing more. At some point, a good deal more controlled testing against a similar blade of 3V or the like would be welcome, but "real-world" experience like going after some of that nightmarish undergrowth is impressive to watch. And then to see the effect on the edge and its repair was very illuminating. :thumbup:

Many thanks guys!
 
Lorien,

Are you clearing the trail for mountain biking? Those pink strips of cloth/linen def reminds me of the the hash trails we are clearing (which we sometimes sprayed paints in absence of chopper and now replaced it with tying a rope around the trees).

I'm thinking you might have benefited from a shorter stock, say OAL of 25" and with a thicker stock and perhaps a different blade profile as well?

[video=youtube;2aLlC3baeiE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aLlC3baeiE[/video]

It's a Ginunting from Phillippines. Ginunting in local language means scissors. In this case of a shorter stock, Ginunting maximized the cutting length with a follow through. More like a straightened sickle that gathers strings of shoots and severe them in light swings.Set backs will be that 2 hand wielding isn't customary and the tip might experience damage to pebbles/stones.I really wonder if that will help to clear those Ocean spray easier?

Coming to think of that, maybe there's a learning curve for Ti sword as compared to the Keffeler profile that you are familiar with?
I noticed that a lot of times we have very tight spaces to swing our blades. I guess that was why you opted for longer handle (for leverage) that you could use multiple grip.

Just throwing some ideas. I'm sure we like to cover most plants that we could have clear them like a machete but still have enough mass to overpower larger logs.

Thank you for the videos and good sharing!
Nice to know the work hardening on the go and very happy that you found a material that sets a clear path for your trail.

I'm generally not clearing trails, I'm creating trails. I clear trails, too- and yes, for mountain biking!

That tool is impressive. It looks to be a little heavy, based on follow through, but also controllable for changing directions by pivoting the wrist. I've tried blades with very little curve and also one with a reversed curve, (made by Stuart Branson). For the type of vegetation I'm dealing with- it's so tough that I'd rather it glance off the blade uncut, than abruptly stop the blade midstroke. Too hard on the wrist. The curvature of this blade is about right for my uses.
 
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