No pictures to post right at this second...
I thought I would recount the testing process however, just to kind of document what went into destructive testing...
First up was testing of the glass breaker, just because I like to break glass (not really, it was my area of greatest concern.) I was concerned that the glass breaker and finger guard would bend and trap a finger inside the guard. Well, glass broke with a reasonable amount of force without deforming the pommel. The finger guard was then clamped in a vise across the opening and progressively tightened. The vise was not able to deform the finger guard even with a pipe placed on the torsion lever for extra clamping force. The pommel was then placed in the vice laterally with just the small section in the vise, and force was applied laterally to the knife. It took a pretty good deal of force to bend the guard, and no break occurred. I guess the shape, a circle, and the inherent strength of the steel is more than enough to end my concern of the guard bending closed on a finger.
Then the blade was tested by placing it in a set of clamps, clamping to a fixed wooden step, and then standing on the blade. With the majority of the blade in the clamps, the knife flexed a little, however did not bend permanently or break. Impact testing also withstood a great deal of force more than I honestly expected it to.
Now came the fun part... I decided to use a resource at my disposal, a -25f storage facility at a local grocery store warehouse, and see how this thing fared when really cold. Honestly, I was a bit cocky, and didn't think this was cold enough for it to make a difference. The reason for this test is the blade will spend its life in Colorado initially at least where we would frequently see -10 to -15 degree temps during the winter on routine patrol when I worked there. I did, once, see -27, so it is feasible that it can see these temps.
I left the blade in the cold for a couple of hours to make sure it was thoroughly at temperature. I then clamped the blade again and tried to stand on it. I don't know if I stood closer to the pommel or not, but the blade snapped at the rear of the grip through the rear scale hole. I suspected to some degree that I may have hardened the steel a little too far forward of the pommel in addition to the cold, and adjusted the finished blank accordingly, but the cold may have been the deciding factor. I was told, however accurately, that -25f was enough to make the steel more brittle. Expert metallurgists chime in and correct me if I am wrong...
Then I placed the blade in a vise, about half way, and struck it gingerly with a 2 pound hammer. Then another strike, and finally a pretty spirited third... The third resulted in a nice "SNAP - PING - WHOA!!!" Again, don't know if it was just the cold, and doubt it will ever see this abuse in real life, but I adjusted my temper accordingly going just a couple of points lower... Just in case.
Once completed, time allowing, I will post a completed knife, sheath, and sort of demonstration of this knife and its intended use. There are some unique features that I think will be very practical. One of which I am particularly proud, and that is the ability to regain a proper grip on one's rifle or pistol without having to resheath or drop the knife. I will have to post a few pics to show how this works, but it is kinda neat... Its the first practical way of maintaining a knife while shooting a rifle that I have seen...
Time willing I will have this puppy finished next week. Thank you all for the support thus far. Much appreciated...
there is just so much potential with this design!
