What's the best way to test a knife?

D

DGG

Joined
May 3, 2005
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I'm curious to know what test folks use to test their knives for toughness and edge-holding ability.

I understand not all types of blades can be subjected to the same testing methods. I know ABS has a testing procedure but does it apply to all knives?
 
My personal prejudice is that there is no test better than field dressing, skinning and quartering an elk. If you have to stop and sharpen the knife, it failed.
 
I'll second Steve's comment . I have been given hunting knives to test .When I test I get a deer and dress out , skin, and completely butcher a deer .Then I check how sharp it is and in the handling I also find if the blade shape, grind and handle shape are good. The best steel will not help if the grind is poor.I found my Helle knife to go from 30 degree on the straight part of the edge to widen to 40 as it curved to the tip ! Since in butchering especially boning you hold the knife various ways you will find wierd curves and finger grooves don't work ! When you test a chopper the criteria are different.Weight ,balance blade shape are important but test it by chopping various things.
 
I'll third Steve's comment. I do most of my testing in the fall hunting whitetails. I do all the field dressing, skinning and butchering of the deer me and my hunting buddies get. They love it when I offer to field dress their deer. :D We usually get an average of 8 deer a season.
Scott
 
It's not always convenient to go whacka deer every time ya finish a knife. Me, I prefer pigs. :-)
Actually I have 3 tests I do.
1st the brass rod test
2nd cut 1/2" manila rope. 30-40 cuts and still shav ehair easily.
3rd chop at an oak 4x4 for a while to see if any chipping or distortion occurs.
works for me bruce
 
big knives your making there buddy.... I can't get my 2" blades to cut more than 2 2-liters ;)

Tony
 
I have a question about the brass rod test. I have given it a try and not sure if I am doing it right or just cant see what I'm supposed to see. I press down so the edge is on the brass rod (so the plane of the blade is almost parrallel to the rod) and run it along the rod. I can not see the edge flex at all. Am I just not pushing hard enough??? Thanks!

Ryan
 
Ryan, what are you doing this saturday? there's a bladesmith's get-together here in tally, and you could come up, and I can show you how the test is supposed to be done.... you might learn other stuff as well, the demo's for the day are casting a handle in place and radial mosaic damascus, call me at (850) 597-2055 if you're interested in coming

Tony
 
Hi Tony,

I would love to come but I have plans to go down south, although they aren't set in stone. I will see what happens this week and see if I might be able to get out of it. I am dying to meet up with some other makers so I can get some much needed pointers. I will give you a call if I can make it and thanks for the offer!

Ryan
 
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