Great test and great pics Art! That is some awesome steel. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> Good idea on the para wrap. I don't have anything like mesquite around, but the choke cherry can take its toll on a blade. Gnarly stuff. I spent yesterday eve filing out chips on my Ontario machete. Just got my DDF in and am looking forward to seeing how that holds up.