9/18/2006 Special Report

On September 14, 2006, I went to the shop of Master Bladesmith Ray Kirk of Tahlequah, Oklahoma to take the performance segment of the American Bladesmith Society's Master Bladesmith Test.  The blade passed the test, so I now need to complete five knives to submit for judging at the ABS annual meeting.  I will attempt to have these knives ready to present at the next meeting, which will be held in June of 2007.

I would like to thank Ray Kirk for his time and generosity in letting me test at his shop.

Below are some excerpts from the American Bladesmith Society's website describing the Master Smith performance test.

TEST KNIFE SPECIFICATIONS:
Overall Length of Knife: Maximum fifteen (15) inches.
Blade Width: Maximum two (2) inches.
Blade Length: Maximum of ten (10) inches from point to the beginning of either the guard, bolster, or handle of the blade.

Blade Material:
Any pattern welded Damascus steel with more than 300 welded laminations. Combination of steels or pattern used in the billet is irrelevant.

1. ROPE CUTTING: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO TEST THE EDGE GEOMETRY AND SHARPNESS.
Applicant is responsible for supplying the test rope and ensuring that it is a minimum of one (1) inch in diameter. The rope is to be hung in a safe manner, so that the end of the rope to be cut hangs loose without touching the floor or any other object. The hanging end of the rope is to be marked with tape or a marker to clearly indicate the area that is to be cut. The cut must be approximately six (6) inches from the end of the free hanging rope. A minimum of one (1) cut must be made.

2. WOOD CHOPPING: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO DEMONSTRATE EDGE TOUGHNESS.
The chopping test is to be conducted with 2x4 construction grade wood stud of the applicant s choice. The 2x4 may be either hand held or clamped into a vise or other safe devise. A chopping motion (no whittling) is to be used. The 2x4 must be chopped completely through a minimum of two (2) times.

Following the chopping test, the Master Smith will inspect the edge to determine if there is any noticeable damage to the blade. Any nicks, chips, flat spots, rolled edges, or other deformations of the blade will result in failing the test.

3. SHAVING HAIR: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO DEMONSTRATE EDGE RETENTION.
After the Master Smith approves the quality of the edge, the blade will be returned to the applicant. The applicant must then shave hair using the section of the blade that was most frequently used in the cutting and chopping portions of the test. Enough hair must be shaved to demonstrate that the edge remains keen and shaving sharp.

4. BENDING: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TEST IS TO SHOW THAT THE APPLICANT IS ABLE TO HEAT TREAT A KNIFE WITH A SOFT BACK AND A HARD EDGE.

The Master Smith will mark a line across the width of the blade approximately 1/3 distance from the tip of the blade. The blade will then be inserted into a vise, tip first, such that the blade is placed into the vise up to the mark on the blade. The blade shall be bent by force applied to the handle. The applicant will then bend the blade ninety (90) degrees. The supervising Master Smith will signal the applicant when the ninety (90) degree angle has been reached.

The blade is allowed to crack at the edge on bending but not beyond approximately two thirds (2/3rds) the width of the blade. However, if any part of the blade chips or any part of the blade or tang breaks off, the applicant fails.

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