An Announcement Regarding the Baryonyx Machete

PROJECT UPDATE:

Holy crap, guys. Samples landed today--one in 2.2mm, one in 1/8" (3mm) and the sheath. THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!! :eek: I've only done a little testing since they only landed about an hour ago but so far I'm REALLY leaning towards the 2.2mm as the advantages are exactly what I thought they would be. Will post up photos in a minute (they're uploading) but I do know one small change I'll be making to them--the sample sheath is brown and I think black will look better. Other than that they're pretty much perfect in every respect! :D

Here's some comparative info on the two samples vs. the original prototype.

Original Prototype (1/8" stock with full profile tang and micarta scales)
Weight: 2lbs, 7.4oz
Point of Balance: 4.5" forward of top of handle
Total Weight w/Sheath: 3.16lbs

1/8" Sample
Weight: 2lbs, 2.8oz (4.6oz or 0.2875lb weight reduction)
Point of Balance: 5" forward of top of handle (1/2" increase in PoB distance)
Total Weight w/Sheath: 2.875lbs

2.2mm (~3/32") Sample
Weight: 1lb, 10.2oz (13.2oz or 0.825lb weight reduction)
Point of Balance: 4" forward of top of handle (1" reduction in PoB distance)
Total Weight w/Sheath: 2.34lbs

Sheath
Weight: 11.2oz
 
Photos:

IMG_4816_zpsf12343ed.jpg


IMG_4820_zpscde0eefb.jpg


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In the chopping and batoning tests I performed so far (again, very brief) the lighter and thinner 2.2mm model actually bit a little deeper into seasoned birch (and it bit DEEP) as well as performing better on woody stemmed plants like dogwood. Prior to testing the edges on both models were brought to equal degrees of uniform refinement. The 1/8" version s obviously a better splitter...but the 2.2mm was still plenty stiff enough to baton and did the job just fine--took a few more taps, but it didn't take much extra energy! The greater ability to accelerate the blade during the swing and reduction in energy loss from matter displacement results in equal or greater energy transfer to the target and deeper penetration. The extra half pound in weight is not, in my opinion, worth the increase in batoning performance at the expense of ease of carry, increased fatigue, and very slightly reduced chopping ability.

I'll be doing more testing over the coming week or two but the 2.2mm is looking to be the clear winner just like I thought it would be!

No info nailed down on pricing specifics yet but, again, it'll likely be around that of Condor's other similarly sized items.
 
That's a very impressive design! Well done!

Without having the opportunity to actually handle it, I suspect it would chop like mad. What steel is it going to be made of? I'd guess a similar steel to machete's (1084?)....

That's the only concern I'd have - with such an enormous power potential, would a machete-grade steel be "enough" to minimize edge damage/deformation?
 
fmajor007 said:
That's a very impressive design! Well done!

Without having the opportunity to actually handle it, I suspect it would chop like mad. What steel is it going to be made of? I'd guess a similar steel to machete's (1084?)....

That's the only concern I'd have - with such an enormous power potential, would a machete-grade steel be "enough" to minimize edge damage/deformation?
Click to expand...

Oh--they DO chop like mad! :D We'll put it this way--my OWN jaw was dropping when I saw how well the 2.2mm one performed. When doing the preliminary test I did some chops into weathered (but not at all rotten) wood and was getting literally about an inch of penetration. Chunks were flying--not chips! :eek: The increased ability to get the lighter 2.2mm up to speed really allows for some tremendous energy transfer.

Steel will be Condor's 1075 at around 55RC. Takes a very stable edge that has enough hardness to resist deformation but soft enough to also resist chipping out. :)

Thanks for the kind words! This project has been a real labor of love--if it weren't I would have given up on it more than a year ago with all the hurdles involved. But I designed it using my own personal experiences using various machetes in the North American temperate zone climate during all four seasons and really feel that it could be a potential game-changer in the machete market. Most of the best machetes available right now for temperate zone use weren't designed from the ground up with this environment specifically in mind, and those that have been (like the Woodman's Pal) don't align well with my own observations or thoughts on machete design optimization. This changes that.
 
Disappointed about it not being released in 2013.

However, I'm glad to see the project is still moving forward, although slowly.

Keep us informed.
 
Will do! Goodness knows these sorts of projects always take much longer than anyone would like! But the important thing I keep focusing on is that it's actually happening. A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and just plain mule-headed persistance have gone into getting the project to where it's at today, and the end is in sight! ...or maybe it's just the beginning. ;)
 
stabman said:
I vote for 1/8" thickness. I just like em a bit heftier. :)
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Trust me on this one--between the two you really don't want the 1/8"! :p I actually had designed it from the get-go with thinner stock in mind and only went with 1/8" on my original prototype because it was the thinnest I could find 1075 in in the massive width the design calls for. I had Condor do up both the 2.2mm and 1/8" samples just to makes sure that I was correct in my estimations on comparative performance and the "functionality/advantage mix" and sure enough I was spot on. As I mentioned previously I was actually getting deeper chops out of the thinner one. With a blade that broad (4.6" at its widest!) it doesn't take much increase in stock thickness for it to get pretty dang hefty. As a result of that dynamic the 1/8" one isn't able to achieve the same velocity by time of impact and also has to displace more material once it gets there. The difference in chopping depth wasn't huge, but it was definitely noticeable and the lowered performance/greater weight combo just doesn't do it for me! :D Besides, the thinner one--while significantly lighter--still isn't a lightweight as far as machetes go! ;) Both versions of the tool exceed even my expectations in terms of performance, but the 2.2mm is absolutely golden and the weight reduction is an advantage in multiple ways.

If all goes to plan I'll be taking some video tomorrow.
 
I have a 1/16" or 2mm Sabitier Meat Cleaver in carbon steel
I use it as a hatchet
That thin is awesome

attachment.php
 
Cute li'l cleaver! Sabatier sure knows how to make 'em. :cool::thumbup:
 
[video=youtube;BkTLGU9hHXk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkTLGU9hHXk&feature=youtu.be[/video]
[video=youtube;-g0e9Tg7pQU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g0e9Tg7pQU&feature=youtu.be[/video]
[video=youtube;K862AoUca0c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K862AoUca0c&feature=youtu.be[/video]
 
I assume the chopping of the trunk was with the thinner model? Either way, a very impressive demonstration especially since you were just out knocking around and staying loose rather than overworking to try and make your design look good.
 
psychophipps said:
I assume the chopping of the trunk was with the thinner model? Either way, a very impressive demonstration especially since you were just out knocking around and staying loose rather than overworking to try and make your design look good.

As an aside...what is the blade and o/a length of your design?
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Yes--it was the 2.2mm model used in the chopping demo. Glad my relaxed pace wasn't overlooked. I wanted to provide a realistic preview of real-world chopping performance rather than trying to do some sort of crazy speed-chopping demo. I wanted it to be perfectly clear that those deep bites were coming from standard-force, typical-use swings. :)

Blade length is 16" and overall length is 23".

1066vik said:
any idea of price point or potential delivery date on these yet?
Click to expand...

Still waiting on the quote but it should be soon. I'd imagine it to be priced similarly to other Condor offerings of similar features (leather sheath, poly handle, uncomplicated stock) and delivery date will likely be around 6 months out give or take, knowing how these things go. Could be longer, could be shorter, but if I had to guess there you have it. :)
 
UPDATE: Just received my quote on 'em. I'm not going to state a final price yet as I have to do some number crunching but let's just say that I was pretty much spot on with my predictions. These should be VERY affordable for what they are. :)
 
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