02-10-2018, 04:05 PM
Well its tomorrow now and we conducted a number of tests. As you can see from the picture below we've had to get a little more sophisticated with the test fixture design. We're not showing the actual impactor used in the tests because we're not quite at that point yet from an intellectual property standpoint.
We are able now to roll and measure edges, in a repeatable fashion, at multiple points on an edge. In addition, we are able to add or subtract weight from the process and measure a commensurate result in roll. Our standard roll rate is in the area of 275 - 325 points and you might be surprised to learn that this is accomplished with only a total piston weight of 100 grams. With our current system, a 300 point roll may not only be measured but seen and felt as well.
It is obvious to us that this is going to be a big picture device as opposed to our edge sharpness testers that can detect very small differences. We think that this is a big picture project though. We're exploring here for things that make a significant difference as opposed to a small difference. We were just discussing the general philosophy of this a few minutes ago here in the office. We think that we should be able to expect a big increase in performance between a $50.00 knife and a $150.00 knife. At least three fold we'd hope. The same is true for sharpening methods and processes. We might not change our methods for a 10% increase but we might for a 50% increase.
Before we send the structural tester out to our field testers like KG and Mark R. we're going to conduct a few more tests just to get a better feel for the kind of results we can expect. We'll likely test thin blades versus thick and sharper versus duller beginning test points. We may also test something like 15 degree sharpening angles versus 22. The results of these tests will be reported here. We think that we will save for our field testers the comparison of HRC 55-57 and 60-62 or VG10 versus 440C. That's going to be an interesting one. We expect to see a difference but, how much difference?
Of course there are likely a hundred different tests that may be conducted with this device. This grind geometry versus another, different sharpening techniques and methods etc. and all in a effort to discover whether there might only be 10 cents difference between them or 10 dollars.
We know that we have several of our industrial customers who are following this thread and to you we have listened and made provision in the test stand for fixturing of most of the various edges you measure. We will keep you apprised of our progress.
We are able now to roll and measure edges, in a repeatable fashion, at multiple points on an edge. In addition, we are able to add or subtract weight from the process and measure a commensurate result in roll. Our standard roll rate is in the area of 275 - 325 points and you might be surprised to learn that this is accomplished with only a total piston weight of 100 grams. With our current system, a 300 point roll may not only be measured but seen and felt as well.
It is obvious to us that this is going to be a big picture device as opposed to our edge sharpness testers that can detect very small differences. We think that this is a big picture project though. We're exploring here for things that make a significant difference as opposed to a small difference. We were just discussing the general philosophy of this a few minutes ago here in the office. We think that we should be able to expect a big increase in performance between a $50.00 knife and a $150.00 knife. At least three fold we'd hope. The same is true for sharpening methods and processes. We might not change our methods for a 10% increase but we might for a 50% increase.
Before we send the structural tester out to our field testers like KG and Mark R. we're going to conduct a few more tests just to get a better feel for the kind of results we can expect. We'll likely test thin blades versus thick and sharper versus duller beginning test points. We may also test something like 15 degree sharpening angles versus 22. The results of these tests will be reported here. We think that we will save for our field testers the comparison of HRC 55-57 and 60-62 or VG10 versus 440C. That's going to be an interesting one. We expect to see a difference but, how much difference?
Of course there are likely a hundred different tests that may be conducted with this device. This grind geometry versus another, different sharpening techniques and methods etc. and all in a effort to discover whether there might only be 10 cents difference between them or 10 dollars.
We know that we have several of our industrial customers who are following this thread and to you we have listened and made provision in the test stand for fixturing of most of the various edges you measure. We will keep you apprised of our progress.