Jon Christensen Passes his MS performance test!!!!!

[Ed Caffrey]

CONGRATULATIONS TO JON CHRISTENSEN!!

Jon drove up from Billings today, and flew through his MS Performance test! As soon as I saw the test blade, I knew he wouldn't have any problems. Very well built test knife, with a beautiful full distal taper, and a super grind. Another tip off for me was the level of fit and finish Jon put into the knife. Many would have been proud to own it.
Jon "short cut" (basically a flick of the wrist) the rope, then went through the 2x4s like nothing.........the edge was still as if it had just been sharpened! I suspect Jon could have shaved his whole body with the thing and it still would have been going strong. On to the bend test....I marked off 3" from the tip, Jon locked it up in the vise, and put a nice steady bend on it to 90 degrees.... Not even an edge crack! Super work, from a super guy. Now the tough part.....getting those 5 knives ready for judging in Atlanta. I doubt he will have any problems there.

I have to say, I am very proud of Jon and his accomplishments. I've watched him through the last few years, from our first meeting, to him winning the George Peck award for the Best Journeyman Knife, and am honored that he chose to test for his MS with me. We've become very good friends over those years, and I always look forward to the times we share. Thanks Jon!

[RogerP]

Way to go Jon - congrats! I hope somebody willl post pics of those 5 MS test knives when they're done. No doubt they'll be long gone after Blade '05.

Cheers,

Roger

[kelly cupples]

Hats off to Jon!!! Congratsulations. See you in Spokane.

[Mike Routen]

All Right Jon! Really, anyone who has seen your work is not suprised by this at all. I'm sure your MS test knives are going to be real knock-outs!

- Mike

[rhrocker]

Good going Jon! We'll be expecting nothing but the best from you, but that won't be a problem, you're just about there.

[BrianT]

Great Job Jon!! I just passed the performance part for JS a few weeks ago. I know how much work was involved to do that so I can imagine how excited you must feel to pass the MS part.

Good luck in Atlanta!

Brian

[Todd Robbins]

Congratulations Jon, on a job well done!

Can you tell me what steels were used in this blade and in what pattern (random,ladder, maiden's hair twist, etc.), and what type of grind it had (full convex, flat with convex edge, full flat grind, etc.)? Also, what were the blade's dimesions?

Todd

[fitzo]

Cool, Jon! Happy for you! Congrats!

[plain ol Bill]

Congratulations Jon! Glad to hear you have passed the performance section of the next step in your knife career buddy. I'm sure you have a warm feeling over that (better enjoy it cause this time of year up there it may be the last warm feeling till about July!).
Ed - I presume this shot was posed instead of the actual bending of the blade cause if it were'nt I'd fuss at you for not making Jon wear safety glasses for the bending.

[Jon Christensen]

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement guys. What a relief that was. I now have a little break before I start getting ready for Atlanta. I'm sure the stress level will increase soon. I'm figuring on starting on my 5 knives after the ABS hammer-in in Spokane. I'll probably get started on all the blades and get them to the finish grind stage and then start on fixtures.
I'd like to do it similar to my Journeyman knives and have them basically done but not glued up and then take them to the Oregon show in April to be critiqued. There are usually alot of Mastersmiths there. Then, if there are any concerns I'll still have plenty of time to work on them. That's the Plan anyway!!!!!!!


Todd, the blades dim. are:
Blade length- 9-3/4"
Overall-14-3/4"
Blade depth-spine-to-edge-1-7/8"
Thickness at spine-a little under 3/16"(sorry, don't have my micrometer handy)
Blade material-1084/15n20 324 layer random pattern

I flat ground it, then convexed the edge. The transition from flat to convex is so slight that it appears to be convexed to the spine.
It has a full distal taper and is edge quenched approx. 3/8".

Hope that answered your question Todd,
Jon

[Burke]

Way to go Jon. But why were you worried? I would have been willing to bet on you. Are you making a knife to cut with in Spokane? I'll see ya'all there.

Bill

[Alden Sherrodd]

Good job Jon. Of course you passed, you are a prepared professional! I do hope you handle one of your Master knives with horse bone. I think of that as your trademark. I'll see you over here next week. I hope you guys get a chance to stop by and check out my shop.

Alden

[Dave Larsen]

Way to go Jon! Congratulations, I can't wait to see your MS knives.

And Brian, congratulations to you too, I had no idea. Way to go for you too!

[Kevin Wilkins]

Best wishes Jon!! Hope you get back to Berlin one day for another visit!!

[Jon Christensen]

Brian, Congrats on passing the JS test. Will you be submitting in Atlanta next Spring?

Bill, Yes it was posed and we both had our safety glasses on for the testing. 8o

Bill, I felt 97% confident in the knife going into the test. It's the 3% that was driving me crazy. I have a knife started for the ABS contest but have a few orders that need to be finished first, well see how that goes first.

Kevin, We'd like to go back someday. I miss the German beer.

Thanks again guys,
Jon