it worked!

i took it down to the belt sander and removed any flakes and restored the edge. i tested it chopping a plank, just like the one from my chop off, before firing and it dented up the edge pretty easily. after firing and sharpening, it chopped the same piece of wood with no dents or chips, biting deeper. i decided i'd like to be adventurous and hit a knot. no damage. thrilling. it's a real knife.

snotpig, you are the man. pics inbound.