Is a Leeb/rebound hardness tester suitable for knives?

[P.Brewster]

For example, this: http://leebhardnesstesters.com/BPX301-portable-hardness-tester ? I learned the following in a BF search:
- Most people recommend the classic bench-top testers
- Some people struggle with the hand-held micrometer-type testers
- I want to avoid a superficial tester

I didn't see any mentioned of a Leeb tester. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[John Moran]

The short answer to your question is no. A rebound hardness tester needs a minimum mass to operate. Although they claim a minimum of 4 pounds, the shape would have to be more cylindrical or cubic to get the rebound. A long thin flat blade will not work very well.

The advantage is, it is portable. Typical use would be in a roll shop, producing mill rolls weighing thousands of pounds, you take the machine to the roll instead of the roll to the machine. It also leaves a very light indentation.

 

[P.Brewster]

I was thinking that testing a knife while placed on an anvil would solve this issue. Is my thinking faulty?

 

[A C Richards]

Right in the link you posted,

"Thin parts or small parts are not suited to rebound type testers. "

The gap between the knife and anvil or the like (though very small) causes erroneous readings. Normally on the soft side. No the rebound testers are not good for knives.