W-2 Chopper Testing

[A C Richards]

I decided to give the W-2 chopper I have left a little run through some brush. Photos are of the bush before during and after I got some frustrations out. I have been asked if this knife would hod up to cutting chores since the Hamon runs close to the edge. Well a burn pile later and it still shaves. No visible damage to the edge whatsoever. I could cleanly sever the branches up to 1.5 inches with one swing. And i am not a great chopper as some who have witnessed me in cutting competitions can attest. This knife performed much better than I expected. Now a little clean up and it's back up for sale.

 

[A C Richards]

And a Few more from the aftermath.

 

[sharpeknives]

Keep workin you'll get to Blade. I hope to see you there if I can sell a couple more.
Chuck do you have a table ? Would make it easyer to find you.

 

[A C Richards]

Andy,

Yes I have a table. Q21.. See you there for sure.

 

[Bruce Bump]

I love to see knives put through their paces. Its evident you made this one right. Is this the one I checked out in Eugene? If so it works as good as it looks.

 

[A C Richards]

Bruce,
I showed you its cousin. This one is just a bit lighter but swings like a dream. You may have seen it on my table though, notice you were getting a sugar fix....

 

[Raymond Richard]

Chuck, I've got about 3/4 of an acre of blackberry vines waiting for you to test more knives. Good luck with the MS testing!

 

[A C Richards]

Thanks Ray.. I got a whole acre ifn you want to come on down an swing away. Got a couple extra blades a layin around. MS is going to wait for 2009 for now. Just not were I need to be yet. Need to take my time and do it right.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Cool Cuttin, chuck ! W2 :thumbup:

 

[Sam Salvati]

I didn't know you actually MADE BLADES out of all that W2 you got from Don, I thought you just bought it and looked at it.

Blade looks GREAT and performs GREAT, very nice Chuck!

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

I'm Q 23.
See ya' soon!

 

[A C Richards]

Thanks Don.That W2 is a dream. Sam, My father in law keeps telling me I am trying to sink my shop. Every time I turn around I bring more steel home I just can't see it getting any cheaper. I think I have enough but just can't pass up a good steal on steel... Went to the scrap yard today, Bought $80 worth of copper. Man, He gave me a break at $4/lb normally $4.50. Now I just need to find a bin full of 416ss.

Karl, Cool at least I wont be alone..

 

[Sam Salvati]

LOL! You are right, as soon as my debts are paid I will start accumulating steel stock again, as it WON'T be getting cheaper anytime soon.

 

[A C Richards]

Karl, You sharing a table with Nick Wheeler?? They have you both at the same table on the list....

 

[the possum]

I have been asked if this knife would hod up to cutting chores since the Hamon runs close to the edge. Well a burn pile later and it still shaves.

I can't see the hamon in the photos, so my thoughts here are not necessarily about your knife. But this is something I've questioned in general in the past. I'm not so worried about edge holding on the new blade- I'm more concerned about long term wear. I sharpened 1/8" of steel off the edge of my big chopper in about a years' time; mainly from discovering nails, rocks, etc. in the stuff I was chopping. So my questions would usually be more like, "How many times can I sharpen out serious nicks before reaching the hamon in certain areas?"

 

[A C Richards]

That would depend on how many nails and rocks you hit. if you are getting that close to very hard materials a knife is not the tool to use. If I were to make a custom for someone I would be talking to them about what there actual intended use would be and what type of abuse they were expecting to put the knife through. If you sharpened off over 1/8th of an inch in a year then you are putting it to much harsher use than intended, The edge geometry is now gone and are probably getting into the thicker part of the blade. That said if you intended to use it in tat manner I would recommend a full hard blade with a light spring temper on the back. Hamons are mainly for looks. I would not hesitate to sell this to someone clearing brush but not uprooting them or tearing down a building.

 

[NickWheeler]

Hmm, that's weird. I'm not going to Atlanta this year. LOL

 

[A C Richards]

Maybe thats a leftover from last year. I would have assumed you were going. You must be just too far down on the list to see...