Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kit Adams on July 11, 2012 at 8:31

I completely agree with this.  I think you can have different categories of testing though.  You can have your longer term testing where you do just a normal pocket wear style testing, which does take longer to get your testing done, but its a good real world testing; you can also have the ones like you are talking about where you really thump on the blade to see what the knife can withstand; or you can have your own set of tests you run each knife through as a baseline standard to tests things without possibly destroying the knife in the process, which is usually what i see in most "reviews".

I do think you can have a review without testing, as long as you are only talking about build quality, fit and finish, factory edge, packing, and customer service.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on July 25, 2012 at 15:36

Kit,

I tend to agree...build quality, fit and finish, factory edge, packing, and customer service are an excellent basis for a review.

 

To me "testing" is a different form of review all together.  I would never consider destroying a knife to test its durability but I have many times sent one to a job site with Donnie and the crew and said, do your worst, LOL.  Generally I will tell him that I dont want to hear about the knife for at least a month.  Now that we no longer have a crew other than him, I pass them to friends with the instruction to use it.  I put it on my calendar and in 6 months ask them how it went.  Gives me a great unbiased opinion.  I have heard everything from...I quit using it after a week to...I bought more!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 25, 2012 at 17:03

I think some of us should try a review, with some sort of test included on a knife and see just how hard it is. I am thinking about trying to do one and see how it comes out. Good or bad.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 26, 2012 at 8:53

I completely agree, I have written a review and so has Ron aka Tuna. It does take some work to put it together but all your are doing is giving an opinion of what you are experiencing with that given knife. If you think about it, you are going through a bit of a review process every time you receive a knife. In your mind you are considering all the things Kit mentioned ....is this a quality knife, how is everything fitted are there gaps etc.

Now transfer those thoughts to an iKC Sharper Review page and you have a review.

I am a big supporter of coming back after six months or so, if you still have the knife, and give an update. Like Jan said, she hears different opinions and can make a judgement on a knife based on that opinion.

Robert Burris said:

I think some of us should try a review, with some sort of test included on a knife and see just how hard it is. I am thinking about trying to do one and see how it comes out. Good or bad.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 26, 2012 at 9:04

Thanks Steve, most of the knives I buy are collectors and go into my collection, without ever being used but I am about to buy a knife that I plan on making a user. When I recieve it, I will start taking notes and start a review. I plan on posting some sort of review. Like I said before, alot of us should try it, you never know it might be fun.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on July 28, 2012 at 20:34

What are your thoughts on field testing? Is it to complicated to agree on standards?

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 29, 2012 at 12:29

That's the 64000 dollar question. Let me think about it a while. I wish we could hear other members thoughts on that.

Permalink Reply by Kit Adams on July 30, 2012 at 14:00

As far as field testing standers, you would have to break it up per knife "group", and what roles the knife is going to play.  You wouldnt take a toothpick style folders and go thrash on some trees with it like you would for something like a kukri.  It goes the other way too, you wouldnt take a large fixed blade survival type knife and just do some paper cuts with it and call it a day.  I think you got to look at what the knife will primarally be used for.  Good tests for pocket knifes and edc style blades could be what they will be used for.  Go cut some cardboard with them, some paper, some packing tape, maybe torque the blade a bit cause we all have used a knife to pry something open (or as a screw driver)

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on July 30, 2012 at 14:03

That's a good point, Kit.

Permalink Reply by johnny twoshoes on July 30, 2012 at 14:12

I judge a knife with two reviews and countless tests.

When I first get a new knife I'll judge it on it's immediate fit & finish, fresh from the factory. (say that 10xs fast). Polish, edge, snap, open and close, lock up if it's a lockback, fit from scale to bolster, things of that nature.

Testing a knife for me  is just using a knife and taking note as to how it holds up. Edge retention is a big factor for me, but that relys on steel and heat treat mostly. Some knives get to shine more after tackling tough jobs, while others are counted for their ease of carry and their people friendly statures. I don't buy a knife then slice through 10 cardboard boxes, 3 2x4s, a concrete block and a slice of paper. I don't buy a knife for those kind of things.

The final review is at the end of my test, which is usually after the blades sports a decent patina from a month or so of work. Again, everything is checked over to see how the knife has held up. Blade play is a huge annoyance for me and after putting a knife through some tough cuts I am always impressed that it's held it's own. 

I'm not against the way anyone tests a knife and just because I think a knife is fantastic and is perfect for my chores, it doesn't really mean that it's for everyone, or that I think you should all go out and buy one. If you read my opinion and you feel we have the same uses for a knife, than chances are you might like the knife I reviewed.