You gotta read this BS

[Dan Gray]

the blades of old England were done by many masters not just one,in there factories a man would do the same exact job on a knife from the time he started till he quit,thus you had people forging the same blade for one specific knife for over 50 years then a seperate heat treater,then you had the master that did the handle and guard work that was a master jeweler most times,then the engraving was done by another master and so on.Remeber these were still factory knives but hands on with only a few foot powered or water powered machines.
Bruce

very good points here
it all goes to what we want, need, and the demand of us..
time, money, do we want to be as good ? can we be as good, do we want to eat, and feed our families?
sure we can, but at what cost? the old guys had pride, not saying we don't
but time was on there side, like said there is to much to distract us today.

the statements of today we hear, I gave them 125% of my efforts
it's like saying I worked 26 hours a day for that guy. Right

it can be done, but do we want to do it their way? , do we want to spend the time, and eat too

think about what Bruce said and I'll say well said..

count the man hours of experience that went into each Bowie Bruce talked of.
the old sword masters did it the same way, many years of making one part of a blade/knife/sword,

if you wanted to become a sword maker across the pond you would live in the house of the Master (I believe it was) for 5 years, working 7 days a week, mind you making one part.
That's how they could do it. sure we could too, but do we want to.. if anyone believes you can get over 100% from anything it woun't happen anyway.

 

[Kevin R. Cashen]

"But before anybody starts considering any suggestions about "flexibility", please, please, please do a little bit of research about elastic limits vs. yield limits and Youngs modulus (modulus of elasticity). " -Kevin Cashen

Umm, Kevin, could you please give us a bit of an overview of the above statement and how it applies with the flexibility issue. Are you saying that the more flexible an item is the less yield strength it has?

Guy, actually I didn't try to make any statement at all, and I think I am going to stick to that approach, this topic could be a real powder keg, and I don't need any more trouble than what life is already willing to pile on me .

I did give a suggestion that folks look into what does, or does not, affect "flex/stiffness" and what affects "yield strength" as it is commonly misunderstood. I haven't, and won't, take issue with anybody in either side here, but I can suggest some reasearch that can help others develop an informed opinion, on what qualifies the old time masters for diefication.

Actually all my diplomacy comes at a good time since I am leaving for the ABS Scagel hammer in for the rest of the week, and will be unable to participate in this discussion.

Sorry to dissapoint you Peter , but I will take some popcorn myself

 

[Don Hanson III]

All I have to say is the knife in question on Ebay is one ugly knife.

Don Hanson lll

 

[chefboy2160]

OK,since this has turned into a modern versus ancient technique in fabricating knives lets look at some other examples!Stones for starters,flint, obsidian , and bone tools ,hmm artistic and practical!How about ancient pyramids,and stone buildings.The bronze age,silver and gold, and then those crazy Hittites making steel!
All in all a good craftsman in the pre electricity days made his liveing and fed his family on his reputation and quality product.The Japanese made bad steel work because they wanted the best they could get out of it.
Compareing the two different ages is like comparing apples and oranges.I would be so bold as to say if a knifemaker of todays age was transported back to the 1700s and a knifemaker of the 1700s was transported to this day and age that the historic knifemaker would have a much easier transition and better product in this age than the current knifemaker in the 1700s.
Think about it, Doug.........................