Value of Noss's Destruction Tests

How do you value Noss's tests

  • Knives are purely cutting tools and these tests don't tell me anything about how well they cut.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • These test are unscientific and unrepeatable therefore they are of no value.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I see value in these tests, even if they are not the most controlled form of testing available.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I never buy a knife without first checking to see if it was reviewed by Noss.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I sent Noss a knife to test. Eeeek.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
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It doesn't make the slightest difference what his tests do, or don't do. His methodology is irrelevant. If YOU find them entertaining/worthwhile/relevant/interesting/whatever, that's fine. Get what you want from them and enjoy.

It would only be a problem, IMHO, if he claimed his tests were "scientific" and, as far as I'm aware, he doesn't so, no problem.

The whole issue seems pretty simple to me, he does things with knives until they break. Individuals infer whatever they want from the results. Some find it useful, others don't. Does it really matter?
 
gajinoz said:
Does it really matter?
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Nope. But given that this topic has been debated to death in some many threads I was just curious to see how many people here felt one way or another. I don't see why that should be a problem.
 
Never seen this silly thing.
Actually I didn't see it to the end, quite disgusting.
I don't call this "test", but I know somebody sees something useful within anything.
 
I think the "breakings" would be more entertaining if they were sped up to look like keystone cops movies. Ten minutes per test is way too long for two minutes worth of material. And then when the knife finally breaks it could emit some kind of blood curdling scream.
 
However silly it looks, to know when a knife brakes maybe sometimes useful - well, I don't know.
Better not to mind about the result :)
 
I not a fan of Noss. I don't hold it against anyone who is, but I suspect they would have drastically different requirements for a knife than I do. I can only see it as intended entertainment that fails to entertain me.
 
The videos are longer than I'd like but if there's a clip of special interest like the Project I, then I'll tune in. I think his tests have value.
 
gajinoz said:
It would only be a problem, IMHO, if he claimed his tests were "scientific" and, as far as I'm aware, he doesn't so, no problem.

The whole issue seems pretty simple to me, he does things with knives until they break. Individuals infer whatever they want from the results. Some find it useful, others don't. Does it really matter?
Click to expand...

Exactly. As long as this Noss fellow doesn't start specifying that each blow with the sledgehammer was delivered within +/- .25 joules of kinetic energy, then I'm fine with whatever he wants to video tape. The tests do give a rough approximation as to the level of abuse a particular blade can endure. Without question during his batoning tests the 2x4s and sledges are hitting the spines of these knives in different places, at differing angles and with a wide range of impact energies. But this isn't any different than the variables introduced when batoning in the field with a good sized branch. So I say take it all for what it's worth and nothing more. And if you're not sure what it's worth, then that might be an indication that you need to be spending some more time yourself outdoors learning about and understanding the limitations of your gear.

My best bit of advice for Noss would be to focus on little things like learning the difference between cinder block and concrete.
 
His tests are useless to me altogether personally, but I can see where they may have some value to others, entertainment or otherwise.

I have broken more than my fair share of knives over the years in the field during practical hard use cutting chores. And the majority of those knife failures have been in extremely cold climates an inclement whether during extended periods of use. These experiences were invaluable to me and well worth learning as it relates to various kinds of knife construction, steel types, hardness tolerances and quench processes.

Pictures and videos showing folks beat a knife to death with sledgehammers and on concrete is a lot like jerking off without the payoff at the conclusion, and just makes me want to hand him an axe, chisel or a crowbar.
 
I voted, "I see value in these tests...." Of course they are not purely scientific, but they do show how much a knife can really take! Keep up the good work Noss! You are adding a valuable service to the knife community, despite what many say. You have stepped on alot of toes, so I guess you have to expect the backlash. I say, keep steppin' on those toes!:thumbup:
 
How is that anything except a rationalization to dismiss any and all criticism of his methods?
 
azranger said:
. . Keep up the good work Noss! You are adding a valuable service to the knife community, despite what many say. You have stepped on alot of toes, so I guess you have to expect the backlash. I say, keep steppin' on those toes!:thumbup:
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Who's toes?

What backlash?

Kindly explain exactly what you mean here?
 
He means that any criticism of this person's unscientific "tests" is affirmation of the validity of those "tests," regardless of reality. Any dissent is, similarly, to be considered the "backlash" of those whose "toes" have been "stepped on," which makes it easier to dismiss that dissent without actually considering its content.
 
Sharp Phil said:
He means that any criticism of this person's unscientific "tests" is affirmation of the validity of those "tests," regardless of reality. Any dissent is, similarly, to be considered the "backlash" of those whose "toes" have been "stepped on," which makes it easier to dismiss that dissent without actually considering its content.
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You're describing anarchism as complete rejection to any argument? Yep, the ol' philosophical nihilism argument is next. We will have complete and utter embracing that everything is meaningless and nothing is known or communicated. :D
 
Phil,

Yes, I must agree with you at this point. That is the way I perceived azranger's post as well. If this is the true nature of his intentioned message than one must conclude that his lack of a rational thought process is either seriously flawed or he is unable to conceptualize and understand opposing viewpoints and their merits other than his own.

However, I will reserve my opinion temporarily and give him the opportunity to explain himself clearly. Perhaps I missed something and he will enlighten me.
 
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