Lawnmower blade machete

T

trogdorr

Joined
Jan 3, 2015
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I posted a machete I made from a mower blade a while ago. Since then I feel my craftsmanship has developed and I would like to show my improvement. My dad's friend had a bunch of mower blades lying around so I decided to make a round of machetes. I flattened, shaped, ground, heat treated, and tested my blades. Each are edge quenched about half way up the blade. I even chopped down a black walnut tree about 10 inches in diameter with my "tester" blade without any chipping, denting, or rolling of the edge. I am in the process of fitting all of them with oak handles. Here is what I have so far.

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Handles in all stages of completion (Finished ----> unfinished)

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Here's that unlucky tree.

I apologize for the cellphone quality pictures.

Let me know what you think and thank you for looking,
Trogdorr
 
They look pretty good! I like how you placed the mounting holes :) Looks like they are supposed to be there.
 
Pretty sweet. You should try out some other blade shapes. Keep us posted on any mods. Any sheath ideas in the works?
 
Mm hm, some folks call it a Kaiser blade, but I calls it a sling blade.

Zieg
 
Thanks for all of the positive feedback! It is a great encouragement to hear so many good things about my work, especially coming from all of you. I have a couple designs not shown here but I plan on adding a parachute cord handguard as soon as the handles are finished. As for the sheath, I'm thinking of having a partially opened back for easy removal. Are there any sheath designs that you have felt worked particularly well? I am eager to learn.
 
I really like the third, the wharncliffe design. Handles and hooked pommels outstanding ergonomics. Walnut is hard wood. How was the sharpness after the felling?

Great work!

Zieg
 
I like the looks of the long tanto on the left. You handles look comfortably shaped. I'd make the transition from the handle to the blade a little more rounded. A slightly curved edge and the handle angled down to drop the edge slightly below the level of your knuckles will make them more powerful choppers, but you may be limited by the size of your blade stock.
 
Very cool to see repurposed items such as these. With some refinement, they will make great machetes. I'd buy one.
 
Thanks guys, I've been learning a lot from these machetes.

Thanks for the advice Storm I can see what you mean about the handle/blade transition, it looks a bit jagged next to the rounded, hooked pommel.

Here is another one I'm working on, its the curve-bellied cousin to the long tanto.
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A recurved, kuhkri type blade is next on the list. I have a couple left to shape still so if anyone has any suggestions on how to improve the design of any of these I'm all ears.... er.. eyes. :p

The Zieg said:
How was the sharpness after the felling?
Click to expand...
It held a lot better than I was expecting considering my understanding of the heat treating process is pretty rudimentary. Minor flattening in some spots but I bet I could chop down another without having to sharpen it. My hands would appreciate something more than a parachute cord wrap on it next time though.

Again thanks for looking and the encouragement. I will continue to share my projects and improvements,
Trogdorr
 
Hey guys, its been a while since I've updated this thread. There was enough interest in the original post that I wanted to keep you guys somewhat posted.

I completed the handles on these a while ago. I love em, every hit feels solid and there is very little shock in the handles compared to a single parachute cord wrap.

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Here is some more aftermath of these blades, the one on the bottom was made for a friend of mine, the top is the same beater blade I used to chop down the black walnut tree.

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Thanks for looking. I will continue to update and post my recent projects.

Trogdorr
 
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