How do you guys test your blades for Rockwell hardness ?
Thank You Forrest

Rockwell hardness tester is what I use. I'm interested to see what others use as well.

I use a Ames style hand held rockwell tester.

Rockwell is what I used years ago when I was a teenager and worked for Dresser Industries as a machinist.

I worked in Quality Assurance for 30 years and used Rockwell units exclusively. That's one reason I went with one for my knife shop.

Thank you all, Forrest

Cool old tester

Yes sir, it's old but still accurate. I check it weekly with a lab certified test standard!

Mike, that is the oldest Rockwell Tester I have ever seen. I started using on in 1976 that was a later model than yours, but it was still a hand crank. They replaced it with an electric travel - digital head unit and I still liked the old time one best, except for having to remember to change the weights. It sure shows the quality of their machines to see that old one still working.

What’s minimum hardness for a file to skate?

Most files will skate at around 57 which is still hard enough to hold a decent edge. I my humble opinion the magical HRC 60 is over rated but it sells!

I agree with you 100% bro, most knife buyers don't have a clue.

First of all my 60HRC may be your 58 HRC or vise versa; most instruments are off + or - 2. I don't even mess with it any more, handheld or portables are only close, they are not dead nuts. I'm not sure if you remember several years ago I asked you what you used because I was getting various readings with mine.
My next door neighbor works for a company that heat treats aviation parts each part they heat treat comes with a specification that has to be dead on. I give her a blade in the morning and that evening she brings it back to me with a certified HRC. And they nice thing; it's free

I like what Kevin Cashen said, HRC is over rated, Test, test and more testing if far more superior than HRC!