I have a good, old, Wilson, WWII vintage, accurately calibrated hardness
tester and would be happy to test anything that comes this way (as long
as you some green for the return UPS... )

Flat, parallel surfaces will yield the most accurate results and the
item must be thick enough for the test to work. Also, we'll get poor
results from things surface hardened, plated, or otherwise surface
treated.

I did some tests some while ago of old Satanley blades, etc. but I had
the problem of the laminated blades. In order to test the hard "bit", I
would have had to put the little test dimple in the back of the blade
and I didn't want to do that. Be advised and if needed recommend a
suitable test location on the piece.

Also, please note that hardness alone does not a good tool make. There
are several other constituents that can make or break (literally) a
tool. Alloy, hardening process, hardness, sharpness all have to be right
for the thing to work.

(There's a joke or two in all this hardness talk.)

The Never-Wrong Reverend Ron

> Also, I think I remember both Rev. Hock and the Leachmeister doing larger
> sample testing of old stuff and beta-testing .  Has anyone who might want
> to comment checked anything?   Does it sort of fit in with Louis' results?
>