1945 True Temper Machete

adrock1978

adrock1978

Joined
May 30, 2009
Messages
2,538
My grandfather gave me his WWII Machete. Its stamped "U.S. 1945 True Temper". It has olive green plastic handles which are cracked and the blade is fairly rusted. Its not in bad shape at all though. The blade is quite stout and has an excellent convex edge. My plan is to sand all the rust off and try to polish up the blade. I'm torn over the original plastic handles though. I was thinking about getting some olive G-10 and and remaking the slabs... I dont know though. Even though they're damaged, should I leave the plastic on it? I wont be able to sand under the grips then and they probably wont survive removal and reinstalling.

Any opinions? Anyone have one of these old dogs? Just holding it is quite amazing.
 
There's nothing more sore than using an uncomfortable machete. Pop those slabs off, sand the tang, and put some new ones on. I doubt that it has a high collector value...probably has more sentimental value to you. It would make much more sense to use it!
 
You may want to check around before you alter any older object, knives furniture, guns, ect. ect. Then if its not worth that much on the collector market. I would fix it up the way you would like it. I realize it has sentimental value to you though. But just say'in. ;)
 
You can pick up WWII era machetes on ebay for $20-50, they arent worth very much. Go ahead and modify it and put it back in use.
 
Yeah, definitely going to use it. It does have sentimental value to it, but it will still be a user. I'm thinking it would be better off with new G-10. I know of a few websites, but any recommendations for G-10 suppliers?
 
I inherited one from my grandad-it is marked 1942. the handles are black hard plastic & it is still going strong. I've had it for many years & brought it out to look at after seeing machetes at a local camping store that were very flimsy & flexible in comparison. Considering it is 70 years old it is as good as new .cheers
 
Something like that would be worth more than any knife money can buy IMO. I would have a hard time modifying it. If anything I would put micarta handles and keep it sharp. I would not refinish it. All the marks and dents give it character and memories.

If you are set on modifying it I would completely refinish the entire machete and make new micarta handles.

I would def use it either way though :)


Do you just want a really nice unique machete or is it only the thought of restoring this one?
 
richstag said:
Something like that would be worth more than any knife money can buy IMO. I would have a hard time modifying it. If anything I would put micarta handles and keep it sharp. I would not refinish it. All the marks and dents give it character and memories.

If you are set on modifying it I would completely refinish the entire machete and make new micarta handles.

I would def use it either way though :)


Do you just want a really nice unique machete or is it only the thought of restoring this one?
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Restoring this one is my goal. If the handle was not cracked, I'd leave it. I'd rather restore it though before the grips crack completely. Maybe I'll use micarta. I haven't found THE material/color yet so micarta isn't out of the question. I don't want to safe queen it, or hang it on a wall though. My grandfather used and abused it as nothing more than a tool and that's how I want to honor it as well. A machete with 3 generations of use will be bad ass.

It is pretty stout as far as machetes go. The tang extends at full width and unsharpened for about 3 inches past the under side of the grip where the ricasso (I think that's the word) then swoops to a convex edge. You couldn't bend this blade smacking it sideways against a tree like most cheap machetes.
 
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I have some old green translucent G10 that might be the color you are looking for, if you want, I can send you a sample or some pictures. I have a couple of different colors I think, one kind of a jade green and the other is more of a lime green.


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randucci said:
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I have some old green translucent G10 that might be the color you are looking for, if you want, I can send you a sample or some pictures. I have a couple of different colors I think, one kind of a jade green and the other is more of a lime green.


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The Great Randucci... I'm honored. Yeah boss, I think a few photos would suffice. Both colors sound interesting and I'd be happier knowing I could connect the project to Hogdom some how.

email: adrock1978@hotmail.com

Does all G-10 have that slight alternating color band effect when you sand through layers, or does it have to start out with layers of different colors?
 
adrock1978 said:
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Does all G-10 have that slight alternating color band effect when you sand through layers, or does it have to start out with layers of different colors?
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The G-10 I have is basically a solid color except for the glass cloth layers, which when contoured, the cloth has a slight white color. I'll send some pictures when I get home tonight.

Here is a picture of some (I think this some of the stuff I gave Bill, if not, it is real close.) similar if not the same material:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=754358

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=604055

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Then yeah, I would put handles and clean it up for sure. I love canvas micarta :)

I would take it over G-10 or anything for that matter when it comes to a pure user. Good luck!
 
randucci said:
The G-10 I have is basically a solid color except for the glass cloth layers, which when contoured, the cloth has a slight white color. I'll send some pictures when I get home tonight.

Here is a picture of some (I think this some of the stuff I gave Bill, if not, it is real close.) similar if not the same material:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=754358

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=604055

.
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That's pretty close to what I was thinking if I decide to go with green. If you can send me a shot, that would be much appreciated. :thumbup: You're the man Ducci

richstag said:
Then yeah, I would put handles and clean it up for sure. I love canvas micarta :)

I would take it over G-10 or anything for that matter when it comes to a pure user. Good luck!
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I'm torn. I do like the texture of canvas micarta.
 
During WWII they did some pretty creative things with machetes, like this True Temper that was cut down and had an aluminum cast D guard added. BTW, this D guard would be an excellent design for a Busse fighter.
 

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safetyman said:
There's nothing more sore than using an uncomfortable machete. Pop those slabs off, sand the tang, and put some new ones on. I doubt that it has a high collector value...probably has more sentimental value to you. It would make much more sense to use it!
Click to expand...

What he said:cool:!!! Not enough value to worry about. I have the same one your talking about and already been working o9n the blade. I have some micarta I'm thinking about replacing the old green plastic scales with.
 
Nuke41 said:
During WWII they did some pretty creative things with machetes, like this True Temper that was cut down and had an aluminum cast D guard added. BTW, this D guard would be an excellent design for a Busse fighter.
Click to expand...

Crap thats cool!!!! Nuke. Thanks.
 
If you can put them on once then you can put them on twice:D If you go G10 and don't like it then switch it to micarta:cool:

I know that my micarta handled machete is the most comfortable cutting tool I own period. And I use it a lot. Sure I spent days making it look perfect satin and shaped handles to fit MY hand like no other blade I own. I use it and I love it and it only cost me about 20 bucks to do. I say go for it and don't fret over handle material. Go with what you like and you will be happy:)
 
Also, don't be afraid to modify it slightly. When I worked on my favorite machete so far All of my mods, Including the clip point, were done to balance the blade how I liked it best.
 
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