Cutting challenge for everyone

[Kevin]

Here is a simple test you can do at home to determine sharpness and edge retention...and if we all use the same rope then we can compare results.

Go and buy a roll of 1/2 inch diameter (13mm) Manila rope.

Take your blade and measure a 2 inch zone which will be the extent of the cutting edge you are testing.

Cuts must be a push and one draw to completely severe the rope in one go..not a sawing motion or mutiple cuts.

Cut on a wooden chopping board.

The edge is not to be touched at all during the testing, no re sharpening, or honing it on your hand or jeans...just be honest with yourself.

If the rope is not cut through in one cut (begins to slide)then the test stops.....

Count how many cuts your knife will make.

If there are enough interested, we could make this a sticky and compare results.

If you post, it will be interesting to know the steel used along with grind, edge geometry etc.

Here is one I tested today, but I will defer my results rather than set a benchmark which may be good or bad :)

http://216.46.248.210/pixc/coutel/with-rope.jpg

[Basemetal]

Anyone know where to find Manilla rope here?

[MotorbikeMan]

This could be fun :D Knowing what your blades are like Kev, you probably got bored before the knife got blunt :rolleyes:

[Stew]

Anyone know where to find Manilla rope here?

B & Q? Homebase? :huh:

[Kevin]

Anyone know where to find Manilla rope here?


Somewhere like B and Q?

[MotorbikeMan]

B & Q definately do it, otherwise depending on how close you are to the coast, a yacht chandlery would do it.

[Basemetal]

Should've said up front...Great idea Kevin!
Wonder if Brooks and Quaid will notice the difference in their turnover....:D

[Kevin]

Should've said up front...Great idea Kevin!
Wonder if Brooks and Quaid will notice the difference in their turnover....:D


I am just investing in shares as I type :D

[Kevin]

By the way....here is a tip.

IF the blade will not make the first cut without sliding, then the edge is probably too polished...but if it makes just one cut then stops, its blunted :)

[Tiffers]

Ooooh, interesting.......I think I might try this with one of my work knives ;)

In fact, I might try it with one of each of my work knives!

How much rope do you think I might need?

Tiffers

[MotorbikeMan]

Ooooh, interesting.......I think I might try this with one of my work knives ;)

In fact, I might try it with one of each of my work knives!

How much rope do you think I might need?

Tiffers
Lots would be my first thought :rolleyes:

[Tiffers]

Lots would be my first thought :rolleyes:

hehe, my thought too!

Seriously though, before I go and buy loads of rope it might help if we can have an idea of how much would be good to start with? It would be hellish ending up not buying enough and running out half way through!

Tiffers

[Kevin]

hehe, my thought too!

Seriously though, before I go and buy loads of rope it might help if we can have an idea of how much would be good to start with? It would be hellish ending up not buying enough and running out half way through!

Tiffers

He he...thats just it...you wont know till u start :D ..I have had one knife that wouldnt cut the first 6 inches......but then again, I have had knives which have had me going back and forth to the shop like a yo yo buying rope like its going out of fashion.

You will probably be able to buy it in 50 foot lengths..all wrapped up and sealed.... costs about $11 over here.

If you get thru 50 feet you are doing very well as that will be around 500 or 600 cuts or more!!...and if your hitting 500 cuts, then you deserve to go and buy some more :D....I would estimate 1 to 2 cuts per inch.

Or you could buy 50ft and be left with 49 feet :D ..how much do you trust your knife?..lol...Dont be too suprised if your only getting 50 or so cuts..thats still quite good.

Besides, you can test several knives...production, custom, home made....have some fun :)

[Stuart Ackerman]

I have an A2 steel Persian in the wings....chisel grind, of course!

[Stuart Ackerman]

And I have 300 metres of 10mm rope...so a bit of calculation willl be required...

[Kevin]

A couple of things.....

Just because a knife will not cut rope doesnt mean it is a poor performer in other areas...so bear that in mind. :)

Its an interesting test to do for your own records, but with hindsight, it may not be in everyones interests to publish everything... we dont want to embarass anyone.....including me :)

I can tell you that one knife I made and tested this way wouldnt make even one rope cut...yet it was on the extreme side of being razor sharp and could shave hair without touching skin (the edge was too polished for rope).........and another knife of mine made well over 1000 + cuts.

Dont take it too seriously :)

[mloc]

I saw this thread and thought i'd have ago. but stupid me i went and bought inch thick manilla instead of 13 mm :ashamed01 luckily i only got a meter and not a roll of the stuff, and i got a few wide eye stares :scared14: as i took out my ukpk and sliced through it in the aisle of B&Q's.

[Tiffers]

This is going to be really interesting actually as I have a bit of a theory about my work knives. Currently I have 2 Fredrich Herder(solingen) round knives and 2 of their straight knives. I find that if I have both sets on my workbench, I constantly go back to the oldest pair of them. I know there are a few differences with the feel of the handles, the older ones are slightly more rounded and fuller feeling in the handle while the newer ones are slightly harsher feeling. I wonder though if its just the feel of the handles which gives me a preference.........

I shall report back :D

Tiffers

[Iron_Heinie]

Great idea Kevin, I shall get some rope this weekend and start cutting.

Recently I was testing edge retention between a couple of my knives with linear feet of carboard cut. It wasnt very satisfactory though.... so I'm looking forward to this!

Shall report back soon...

[ZDP-189]

Just a warning, (if you're lucky) you may soon begin to complain about the cost of rope, so cut thin slices.