Why Rope?

[Ankerson]

Greast Post Phil.

I will add to those who question it.

What edge would they prefer to cut with?

One that will slice though rope at 10 LBS of pressure....

OR

One that will slice though rope at 15 LBS of pressure....

OR

One that will slice though rope at 20 LBS of pressure....

Just the difference in edge finish alone can make that difference easy, taking into count the edges are very sharp and using the same blade.

 

[me2]

Hi, Me 2
I see your point that only cutting rope does not give the total picture. That is true to some extent but I would ask if you don't use rope for testing what would you use? With a good blade I can cut cardboard until I get tired and the blade gets hot. It will wear the blade but most of the time just gunks it up.

I didn't say not to use rope. I'm just of the opinion that using only rope can give some skewed results. I typically use cardboard because its free and easy to aquire. I understand and have experienced the time it can take to dull a good blade using cardboard. I do not use my knives for hunting, so those attributes shown by rope don't really mean a lot to me. In the end, it looks like the testing should reflect as much as possible the intended use of the knife. I use cardboard since it more accurately reflects the uses I have for a knife.

 

[Ankerson]

I didn't say not to use rope. I'm just of the opinion that using only rope can give some skewed results. I typically use cardboard because its free and easy to aquire. I understand and have experienced the time it can take to dull a good blade using cardboard. I do not use my knives for hunting, so those attributes shown by rope don't really mean a lot to me. In the end, it looks like the testing should reflect as much as possible the intended use of the knife. I use cardboard since it more accurately reflects the uses I have for a knife.

If a blade will cut rope well and with low pressure it will sail right though cardboard like it's not even there, there is a balance of edge refinement that has to be met to do it well.

But that doesn't mean it works the other way around.

I have seen edges that were supposed to be sharp just slide right off rope (Too refined) or just grab and hang up because they are just too coarse.

 

[knarfeng]

Phil gave a better and more complete answer than I can.

If my test procedure gave me results that did not match real life usage, then I would question the test method. However, when I use my knives in every day cutting, I notice pretty much the same order of edge retention results as that which I get when cutting the manila rope. If my real life experience matches the results of the tests, then I don't doubt the test procedure. That allows me to test borrowed knives, which I won't carry and use myself, and believe the results of that testing.

 

[Ankerson]

Phil gave a better and more complete answer than I can.

If my test procedure gave me results that did not match real life usage, then I would question the test method. However, when I use my knives in every day cutting, I notice pretty much the same order of edge retention results as that which I get when cutting the manila rope. If my real life experience matches the results of the tests, then I don't doubt the test procedure. That allows me to test borrowed knives, which I won't carry and use myself, and believe the results of that testing.

Yes, it will usually convert over to daily use very well.

 

[Phil Wilson]

ME2, Ok, cardboard works good for you. Predicts how your knives are going to perform on what you cut. That is kind of the point for all this testing. We need to use a test material that approximates how the knife is going to be used. The original question put by you was why rope? My post was an attempt to answer why I use rope from a knife maker point of view. Good question by the way and a good exchange. Take care, Phil

 

[neeman]

What an excellent well informed thread
Thank you all for the learning

 

[me2]

ME2, Ok, cardboard works good for you. Predicts how your knives are going to perform on what you cut. That is kind of the point for all this testing. We need to use a test material that approximates how the knife is going to be used. The original question put by you was why rope? My post was an attempt to answer why I use rope from a knife maker point of view. Good question by the way and a good exchange. Take care, Phil

My initial question was why only rope. Based on the replies, this is pretty rare. You test on hardwood and rope, I use cardboard and wood, Ankerson uses rope, cardboard, and other stuff. Karfeng uses rope, but his evaluation of the edge is based on visual damage at magnification, which is different from most others I know of. For the sake of my own education, I'll try to pick up some 5/8" rope this weekend and give my M2 shop knife and 154CM Griptillain a run. These are currently my two best edge holding blades.