CrimsonTideShooter wrote:
What I can say, is that despite the fast that my demos are not scientific, I can still draw some pretty accurate conclusions from them.......because I use my knives - a LOT. I cut many, many, many different materials - many, many, many times over with many, many, many knives. Rope and cardboard are just the things I care to record.
I agree with everything, except one word "accurate". Most likely you and I define it differently.
CrimsonTideShooter wrote:
I'm very familiar with the scientific process, and what constitutes a valid, repeatable, unbiased test. You seem to think it's very easy to come up with one. Ankerson's tests are great, but truly scientific, unbiased, and accurate they are not - if we are using the same logic you just displayed here.
It is not exactly correct. I never mentioned that it is easy in home environment to conduct valid test. IMHO it is near impossible, unless you have very serious financial capabilities.
It was good that you tried to perform tests. But I have two major issues. The first: results need to be measured, as accurate as possible and measurement error need to be evaluated. People, who read test results need to be aware of measurement uncertainty.
The second: results were misrepresented. You tested knives, you didn't test steels. If conclusion of your test would be:" I feel that knife#1 is holding the edge better than knife #2." I wouldn't have any issues with your statements.
CrimsonTideShooter wrote:
About the ONLY truly accurate method we have using your logic is the CATRA, and that's a fundamentally flawed system as well if we are wanting to measure how a knife will perform in real life use.
Yes, IMHO CATRA testing, if it is done right will allow to compare steels in edge retention. Real life performance will depend a lot on user, his skills, mood in the day of test and so on. I strongly beleive that the knife with blade, made from steel, which demonstrated significantly better edge retention on SATRA, will have better edge retention in real life as well, given the same H/T.
I think it is very beneficial for knife community, when knife enthusiasts test knives. It can be very informative and more independent than testing published by foundries.
CrimsonTideShooter wrote:The only knives I'll be testing from here on out are my own, so it's really a moot point. I'm through with doing demos of any sort on any other knife than the one's I've made.
This is absolutely up to you. If you lost interest, there is no reason to continue. But even testing your own knives benefit, if you improve your methods.