Rain is threatening. I will have to move fast. Sweetgum Suckers, I'm coming to get you!
Prepare to be made into sweetgum salad!
David says his machete entry was inspired by a Filipino knife called the Matulis. Whatever we call it, it is more pointed than any traditional machete. The way the handle swells toward the end makes it secure when swinging it and slashing brush or whatever. This thing would make a wicked fighter. As you can see, it does a pretty good job of slashing brush. This knife is light and fast in the hand. At 22 oz with a 14 1/2" blade, it feels lighter than it is. Overall length is nearly 21 1/2". While it cut very well, the Parang cut a bit cleaner. Maybe it was my technique, but it still did very well. I checked the edge, and it is plenty sharp. It does a number on the palmettos.
That Bocote wood handle is beautiful, and fortunately, it feels good, too. David's knife came with a biodegradable cardboard sheath, in honor of Earth Day. But we already knew this was a good slasher when I used it the other day. Is it up to some serious work?
Out at the chopping block I quickly learned that the sweet spot on this knife is well down from the tip. It bites deeply into the wood and chopped quite well once I learned how to use it properly.
Well sure, it chops fine. But would I dare to hammer this 1/8" thick slasher with my big new baton and split some gnarly wood with it? I would.
