Points taken, guys. I'm as surprised as anyone at the fact that the blades DiamondBlades uses for their tests appear to be much thicker and longer than the blades they use in their production pieces. I also agree that the prices of DiamondBlades knives are completely out of sight. But all that notwithstanding, I defy ANY OTHER KNIFEMAKER using ANY alloy (including laminates) and ANY hardening methodology to accomplish what they've accomplished at ANY price. (The only thing that would be more staggering is if DiamondBlades produced a friction forged knife with an obsidian edge (RC 70) that didn't shatter or chip out when the blade was bent to 115 degrees. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> )
As a feat of metallurgy, friction forging has produced a result that appears to stand alone in the annals of knifemaking history. Whether the day ever comes that a friction forged knife can give an ASH-1 a run for its money at a price ordinary mortals can afford remains to be seen. (That assumes, of course, that an ordinary mortal would consider the price of an ASH-1 affordable. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> )
Obsidian is ~5.5 on the Mohs scale which roughly converts to 81 on the Rockwell A scale, 669 on the Vickers (HV) scale, or ~58 to 59 on the Rockwell C scale.
Scrap Yard knives are hardened to 57-59 and I think they will bend to 115 degrees with out breaking so there you go.....
Buy Busse <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />