I see slot of test knives with paracord handle wraps. Is that frowned upon? How finished out should the knife be? I'm planning on doing my test this winter. Thx
Brian,
Everything you need to know about the JS testing is here: http://www.americanbladesmith.com/index.php?section=pages&id=172
In the Guidelines it says that any handle configuration is acceptable. My guess is that because of the vigorous nature of the performance testing, some smiths prefer the "grippiness" of the paracord wrap.
:
Test Knife Specifications:
Overall Length of Knife: Maximum fifteen (15) inches.
Blade Width: Maximum two (2) inches.
Blade Length: Maximum ten (10) inches from point to the beginning of either the guard, bolster, or handle of the blade.
Handle Configuration: Any handle configuration is acceptable with or without guard, bolsters, ferrule, etc. Handle Material is irrelevant and solely the choice of the applicant.
Blade Material: The Journeyman Smith may test with any forged homogenous carbon steel of his or her choice. No Damascus steel (pattern-welded) or other forge-welded material (welded cable, etc.) will be allowed for this test.
Joshua States
www.dosgatosforge.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg
https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71
Also on Instagram and Facebook as J.States Bladesmith
“So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.â€
I appreciate it. I have read it over several times. I will just paracord wrap it and go with a 220 grit finish. Nothing fancy, for a test knife.
