finally posted some action shots. those 2x4s are SOLID! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Nice work MCJ, and thanks for the pics! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I love the action shots!! You're buddy caught you with chips in the air and everything! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Haha, I like the action shots! Reminds of what we got going on here in norcal. Great stuff.

McJ,

Nice shots and thanks for postin' pics (although, I think we REALLY need some posts of Busse and kin with some traditional GORGEOUS Hawaii scenary <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> - I have an aunt that lives in Maui that I have never been able to visit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />)

Anyway, I LOVE scenary shots with knives in them like Pitman's and Vic's yard and walks, but action shots have a LOT to offer as well..... they allow ability to show relevance to knife performance.

I guess most of us don't have a knife enthusiast buddy to snap action shots for us.... except I know MRPink has a "Knife Gang" in "East L.A." or somewhere. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> .. Along with gang members: "Pink" and "Ban", I think they have other gang members like "Tiny" and probably some other catchy named characters. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />... So, Pink and Ban owe us more action shots. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ... Don't see Ban around the Yard much... or even on Bladeforums much lately.


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So, back to the action shots.

Hard treated wood apparently. I have never chopped treated wood yet, but it is still just pine right?

Considering what was on the line, I assume you chopped like crazy (lots of hard chops per minute <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />) and still took 2:09 minutes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

We have a reputation to up-hold here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> .... Next time wagers are on the line, make sure the equipment is in optimal working order.

That factory "rock busting" edge chews and "mushes" through wood about like a snaggle toothed dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

A sharp edge is good and will help a lot. But, a good edge profile can in some cases probably even be a more noticable level of improvement. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Your technique appears to have the general idea (alternating angles to remove chips), but for competition, I would say I see a few misplaced cuts in the above photos. Ideally, you are lifting a chip and/ or removing a chip with each placed cut.... easier when done with a knife that cuts instead of gnawing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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All 3 should be better at chopping than the SOD due to larger sizes. But, that is not a slam against the SOD as it is a great knife for it's size class..... once sharpened..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />


I think it will be very close between the Battle Rat and M9LE. But, for chopping, I am assuming the Battle Rat will still likely be a bit better with the M9LE being a bit more all-rounder.

The Battle Rat has a 9.375" blade vs. the M9LE is supposed to have a 9.0" blade (sometimes I see a 1/8th inch varation longer or shorter in actual length vs. listed specs.

The Battle Rat even mine stripped measures in right at 0.25" thick.
Eric listed the M9LE as "approx" .25"

However, the Battle Rat has a Sabre Grind vs. the full height flat grind on the M9LE and the M9LE has less weight at the tip from the more agressive swedge grind. So, the Battle Rat will most likely have more weight in the blade and VERY safe to assume balance will be significantly more towards the blade on the Battle Rat.

However, with the full tang and "G10" scales (which seem to way about .75 - 1.0 ounce heavier than micarta, I would guess the M9LE will weigh more than the Battle Rat.

My Battle Rat is actually fairly light for it's blade length at only 16.5 ounces.

If using the following knife sizes and weights to guess and compare with, I would guess the M9LE would weigh close to 23 - 24 ounces (????????) - which is significantly more than the Battle Rat.

Chopweiler – G10….. = 20.5 ounces; .25” thick; 7.5625” blade; 13.1875” oal

NMSFNO………………….= 21.5 ounces; .25” thick; 8.25” blade; 14.0” oal

FSH (full flat grind)..= 22.0 ounces; .27” thick; 8.1875” blade; 14.4” oal

I never weighed my Rat Mastiff before I (regretfully) sold it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/banghead.gif" alt="" /> Another loss to poor finances and bills. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />

While the Chopweiler is heavier than the Battle rat and while it still doesn't out-chop the lighter Battle Rat, I think it could still be said that over-all weight can affect chopping performance and aid in over-all force. But, blade length and blade weight are also factors.

With same technique on same wood, the Golok with it's 11.5" blade (more than 2" longer) will/should probably beat them all though. The Golok has a MUCH more affective blade grind and factory sharpness for cutting as well.

However, with a significant reprofile and sharpness, the Battle Rat can get respectably close considering the size differences. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

.

KG great post!!! i was hoping you would share your knowledge!!!

yeah i really have to work on my chopping technique!!! and yeah the factory edge had a heck of a time...also the whole setup was very flimsy so alot of my force bounced. i should use today to read up on chopping techniques.

i know a few guys on here would convex up my blades but im going to try stay local first and having just learned of tom mayo im going to ask him if he would like to get his hands on some new knives and help a guy out!


i think youre totally right on the battle rat...after its reprofiled and sharpened up it'll be great.

im nowhere hear as setup as pink and his posse, but im getting there!!!

thanks again for your post KG i love reading them and always learn!

that my friend is how to treat/beat/use/abuse a scrapyard knife.it looks great with those chips taken out of the coating from the nail.

i am proud,very proud.you have served the yard well.

looks like a cool place you live in too.complete polar opposite from the mid-evil frozen waste land i live in.i got another few months before i can venture out with a t-shirt on.

Yeah, the action shots are great. Rastadog goes postal on 2 x 4 ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Very nice pics!!!!

Great action pics MC! How'd I miss this post?
I am going to try this also. I'll let you know the time with a convex edge. Thanks for the efforts, greatly appreciated.

I love seeing a knife being dinged up. Digg the nail dents. A knife isn't much good just laying around looking pretty.

Now that is a cool picture sequence! Thanks