bkduckworth
Basic Member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2008
- Messages
- 633
Well, I'm finally getting around to adding some comments and a mini review on the 12" Fiddleback pass around machete and leather sheath by Heber Ellsworth (wildmanh). Please note, that I received this as part of a passaround, so the machete had definately seen some use by the time I recieved it.
First I'll start with my initial impressions of the machete.
The fit and finish were very good, with the scandi grind being nice and even side to side. The handle fit was good, with no glue gaps. Handle contouring was spot on, but more on that later. And the finish on the micarta was left grippy, which is perfect for a chopper designed to be used outdoors.
Its easy to tell how much thought went into the design of this piece. The blade flows to a very sharp point, but still has plenty of weight forward for effective chopping. One thing I really enjoyed was how far back the scandi edge came to handle. Even thought a blade this size isn't generally used for carving, the combination of the edge and the handle worked really well for making feather sticks and other simple carving.
Speaking of the handle! It was easily the best I've ever used on a machete. The contouring allowed for a comfortable carving grip, and the butt swell let you come way back on the handle for maximum chopping power.
This was my first experience with Hebers work, and I was not disappointed! The leather was heavy and the fit was excellent. The belt loop and the retention snap worked very well. He even added a couple of lashing points on the back of the sheath to allow for alternate carry methods (ie lashing on a backpack or something along those lines). Ill be honest in saying Im probably not doing this sheath justice with this short description, but Ill say this, if Im in the market for a leather machete sheath, I wont look anywhere else.
Now on to some using pics.
I was curious how this abbreviated machete would bite into hard wood. This was one chop into sugar maple.
Battoning into some of the same Sugar Maple.
My assistant! Shes also reviewing the construction of the sheath!
Now Ive got the machete a little deeper in the log, check out the torque on that blade!
Now Im through that round, and presto, the blade is back to straight.
To sum it up, I love this machete! So much so in fact, that I just had to have one! Its really the best small machete/large knife Ive used. The handle and blade shape work together to let it be used for just about anything shy of detail work youd run into in the woods. And Herbers sheath is a solid addition to this fantastic blade. I plan to use mine as my go to chopper for everything from berry picking to backpacking.
Brandon
First I'll start with my initial impressions of the machete.
The fit and finish were very good, with the scandi grind being nice and even side to side. The handle fit was good, with no glue gaps. Handle contouring was spot on, but more on that later. And the finish on the micarta was left grippy, which is perfect for a chopper designed to be used outdoors.
Its easy to tell how much thought went into the design of this piece. The blade flows to a very sharp point, but still has plenty of weight forward for effective chopping. One thing I really enjoyed was how far back the scandi edge came to handle. Even thought a blade this size isn't generally used for carving, the combination of the edge and the handle worked really well for making feather sticks and other simple carving.
Speaking of the handle! It was easily the best I've ever used on a machete. The contouring allowed for a comfortable carving grip, and the butt swell let you come way back on the handle for maximum chopping power.
This was my first experience with Hebers work, and I was not disappointed! The leather was heavy and the fit was excellent. The belt loop and the retention snap worked very well. He even added a couple of lashing points on the back of the sheath to allow for alternate carry methods (ie lashing on a backpack or something along those lines). Ill be honest in saying Im probably not doing this sheath justice with this short description, but Ill say this, if Im in the market for a leather machete sheath, I wont look anywhere else.
Now on to some using pics.
I was curious how this abbreviated machete would bite into hard wood. This was one chop into sugar maple.
Battoning into some of the same Sugar Maple.
My assistant! Shes also reviewing the construction of the sheath!
Now Ive got the machete a little deeper in the log, check out the torque on that blade!
Now Im through that round, and presto, the blade is back to straight.
To sum it up, I love this machete! So much so in fact, that I just had to have one! Its really the best small machete/large knife Ive used. The handle and blade shape work together to let it be used for just about anything shy of detail work youd run into in the woods. And Herbers sheath is a solid addition to this fantastic blade. I plan to use mine as my go to chopper for everything from berry picking to backpacking.
Brandon
