Review: The ViKtim pt 2

Next was some easy stuff.

Started cutting some ½” poly rope for a while along with some fabric/poly machine belts and very old 3” wide leather machine belt.  

I was scouring the shop for stuff to demolish. Came up with an old deer leg. While chopping this I really wanted a thong hole tube with a lanyard.

Next an old deer skull was stabbed half a dozen times. It took a LOT of force to stab it through the top of the skull. I smashed it to bits with the Viktim.

Stabbed an old car hood(pre crumple zone paper thin) a bunch of times as hard as I could but it would only just penetrate through. Couldn’t get more that a ¼” slit so I grabbed a 3# deadshot hammer and smashed it through like butter. There was no indication that I did ANYTHING to this frickin’ knife.   

Last but not least eating not beating. Ribeye steak and shrimp on the grill with fresh green beans. Mmmmmmm. It cut that steak like crazy.  Can't tell but that steak left some patina on the blade.

Now it’s off to the next perpetrator. I don’t think you can make it submit like a true victim. This was a pleasure to test. I’m seriously gonna have to look into having John make something for me. One of these days.  I'll carry it around till I ship it off.  It is a beast.  Here is the link to the full forum review.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/913609-JK-Knives-Torture-Test-Passaround!

In My Opinion: This knife performed really well.  If I was going to order one I would  certainly have some handle modifications.  It needs a lanyard hole.  When chopping with it, sometimes it wants to fly away.  That could present a danger to those around you.  I would also take some of  the bulk away from the handle.  Otherwise this knife was a pleasure to beat up and it took the licking with zero adverse effects.  Great knife.

Next review should be a Spyderco folding knife, then I believe I have a KFU coming some time in the future.  Brad, the guy that made the combat tomahawk said he will probably send a different one for me to try.  This is fun and really helps me to understand knives better through destructive testing.

Review: The ViKtim pt. 1

The Viktim

I received the Viktim Wed. May 2^nd in the mail from BrewCityMike along with some knife scales for me to work on.   This was from BladeForums.com for JK Knives.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/913609-JK-Knives-Torture-Test-Passaround!

Initial impression is this bad boy has definitely been used. RWT went through all the specs so I’ll go over whatever I can. It is a beefy blade with a FFG. The tip is thicker than most…I’ll test that later. The blade thickness is just right in my opinion. It doesn’t need to be too thick to be stout. There is a nice patina going on. The design is pleasing and looks well adapted to a multitude of chores. I know the handle is just for abuse but it would feel better with the edges rounded and a touch smaller, IMO.

I took it to the shop and touched up the edge a little and it shaved easily.

Testing starts………………Now!

Stuck into an oak tree on first throw.

 

Chopped and batonned up some 5/4 seasoned pine. Batoned some electrical wire into a bunch of little bits.     

Stabbed the crap out of an old mailbox.

Punched a hole in ¾” ply, then chopped a V into it. Ended it for the night knowing it is kicking butt.      

Okay, well I took the Viktim over to the water plant. It has a 24” diameter piece of PVC water pipe laying out back. That piece of pipe destroyed another pass around item yesterday. The first whack with the Viktim knocked out an oval chunk 5/8 x 2” and 3/8” deep. I kept whacking hard and could hear chips whizzing past my ears literally like bullets. There was no damage at all to to the edge. I was really impressed.

Review: Combat Tomahawk

Received the Combat Tomahawk Saturday, April 28th at 3:30 pm.  Hawk only had one layer of bubble wrap.  The cord on the 2 part kydex sheath is different from the handle wrapping cord.
Specs:
OAL-  13.56”  344.44mm
Head-   7.125”  181.01mm
Cutting Edge-  2.018”    51.31mm

Handle Width @:
Head-  0.831”  21.12mm
Above Wrap- 0.879”  22.23mm
Below Wrap- 0.952”  24.18mm
Thickness- 0.381”    9.63mm

Weight:
W/Sheath- 27.2oz  770grams
WO/Sheath- 25.4oz  720grams

Observations
Hawk only had one layer of bubble wrap.  The cord on the 2 part kydex sheath is different from the handle wrapping cord.
The plunge lines are visually uneven.
 
Spike cover needs to be put on first.  Eyelets on cutter  side were put on the opposite side as spike cover.  Blade cover has to come off first.

Blade shows evidence of overheating on the lower .700” portion.  Not sure what it was from, but it looks like it covers the whole lower tip, not just the edge.

Took it to the shop & sharpened up the edge.  The blade is flat ground and has very little secondary bevel.

While chopping I did notice that you had to put your hand through the wrist sling.  It flings around a lot while chopping.    I would at least cut it shorter, say 7 or 8 inches long.  The grenade cord keeper is really cool.

Testing:
Started by chopping into a 5/4 piece of old pine.  It took some work, but once I got through the first few strokes the chips were flying.  Next I turned to a small tree by my outdoor water faucet.  With the small cutting edge it took some focus to hit the mark.  It did the job pretty well. 

Chopped up some electrical wire with total ease.  Weight alone chopped it.

Hacked up a mailbox with the spike and hawk.  Like butter.

Chopping and spiking the crap out of some ¾” plywood.  Spike did good damage.  Chopping went okay.  This isn’t the best wood cutter, and I know it wasn’t built for that purpose.

Took it with me to work.  Wanted to test it on some old clay pipe.  First I showed it to a guy at the water plant and asked him if he had anything to test it on.  He’s like, yeah follow me.  He took me over to a section of cut up 24” PVC water pipe.  It had been setting behind a holding tank for at least a few years. 

I took a few swings with the spike and only went in 3/8 to 1/2 inch.  Next I took one solid whack with the hawk and really messed up the edge. 
 
Pic 1
Pic 2
I thought the hawk was going to destroy the pipe, at least crack the heck out of it.  Upon observation the edge had rolled both ways.  At this point I am stopping all testing.

I really wanted to put it through a few more tests to find some of it’s strong points and limits.  IMO it wasn't ground correctly.  It should have had a convex grind with longer taper to it.  Something similar could be made to be a very effective weapon for combat, but this one doesn't cut it.  Here is the link  to the full forum review:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/917155-Combat-Tomahawk-Pass-around