52100 North American Machete

Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.

Huntsman Knife Co. LLC.

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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Here's a machete from my new run. The goal was to create the best machete type tool possible for the forests of North America. I wanted to make a tool that could clear brush, chop hardwoods, and tackle everything in between. This is a test piece and so far I've been very happy with it. Its light, fast, and due to the bolo inspired tip it has excellent forward weight for chopping. I'm a lover of long blades and the reach they provide so I went with a full 23.5 inch length with about 17.5 of that being blade.

For steel I went with 52100 with a differential HT and an edge hardness of 57-58. This one is .104 thick but I also had some cut from .135 stock for people who are interested more in heavy chopping than lighter work. Orange G10 for the handles but I am experimenting with horse stall mat as well and will have them available in canvas micarta. The whole blade is stonewashed. Just thought Id share my latest design. This thing feels completely badass to hold and I've been like a kid in a candy shop chopping stuff today :D

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birds of a feather

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Great work! Really love the design. If you ever need someone to do a torture test........:)
 
Thanks for the interest guys. I have a bunch of these to make and I also have a different style version with a ring choil that I really like. Here's some pics of the ring choil design and some pics so you can see the hamon.

As for pricing I'm not sure yet. I'm thinking somewhere between 250-300 shipped with a sheath and a lifetime warranty. I'm really loving this design and I think these perfectly bridge the gap between big chopper and machete. These also chop really well. I did a head to head comparison today and I think the skinny version can hang with anything out there except for axes and big kukris that weigh much more. I havent tested the thick version yet but I expect substantially more chopping power due to the extra weight but it will be slower and less effective at clearing brush.

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Lots of stuff to work on :D

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I like everything in that middle picture. I need to find a way to get on one of your lists.
 
Hey Amflud,

I usually don't do lists because it slows me down and hurts the creative process for me. Most of the time I just make a few blades at a time and them post them for sale but I do take orders for people who are interested. If you are interested in anything you see just shoot me a PM or an email and I can put you down for one.
 
These look really great!! I bet you will find a lot of interest with these. Be sure to post more photos here occasionally, too.
David
 
Hello,

Can I ask how thick behind the secondary they are? I really like that you didn't go with just a scandi type grind. Trying to sharpen such grinds on such huge blades without power equipment is horrible, especially if the edge takes damage which is not unusual with machetes.

Thak you
 
I brought this test model down to about .027 before sharpening and the grind is convex. I actually do most of my final edges by hand now and if you have a good set of stones it will be easy to repair the edge and maintain the edge. I went from no edge to shaving sharp in about 10-15 min on some india stones.
 
Thanks for the info. That's seems like a good thickness for these, as I imagine it will probably end up close to 0.035 after sharpening, and that is pretty durable from what I understand.

And that's great to hear you're doing your final edges by hand. I'm a big proponent of that.
 
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