I recently picked up an Italian-made Angelo B bolo machete from Baryonyx knives and,since I have not seen it mentioned recently, thought I'd provide some initial impressions:
Overall length: 19 3/4"
Blade length: 14 1/4"
Blade thickness: 3.16mm
Weight: 1lb. 3.8oz.
handle: A straight slab of hardwood with no variation in width ot thickness. There is a small guard formed by front of the scales and the blade at the tang-to-cutting edge transition. The top of the scales covers the top of the tang, tang is exposed on the bottom. The handle rivets are set so that the tops of the rivets are either flush or slightly below the surface of the wood. I did not notice them while I was working. The bottom of the handle scales extends slightly below the bottom of the tang. The gap between the scales was uncomfortable, but it only took a few minutes to get everything flush. The rounded-over parts of the scales had noticeable edges where they met the flat sides. I found them a bit uncomfortable so I smoothed the transition with some sandpaper. There is a generously-sized lanyard hole, but no swell or hook at the butt. The handles were a good fit for my medium-large hands (slightly smaller than a size L glove).
sheath: Made of light-weight leather, open-backed with two straps over the back of the blade and another one around the handle. All three straps are riveted on. The belt loop is riveted on and is set up for left-side carry with the spine of the blade facing forward. There is no welt. The edges of the sheath are both riveted and stitched. The rivets are set in far enough to protect the stitching. The overall look and feel of the sheath is cheap, but upon closer examination it should do an adequate job. I like the design, but am used to the heavyweight Condor sheaths, so I will probably copy it in heavier leather and with a welt at some point to suit my personal preferences.
The blade: This is why I would buy this bolo again. Although the blade came with a pronounced burr, it only took a few passes on a Ken Onion Worksharp to take it off. I set the edge at 30 degrees per side and experienced no chipping or rolling. The blade held the edge well. The transition from the primary grind to the flats was smooth. The sweet spot was easy to find and the knife hits with authority. Penetration was excellent. When the blade stuck in the wood, it was easy to extract. It handled everything from limbing to cutting six inch seasoned hardwood logs comfortably and unseasoned wood with ease. It works well for splitting and making feather sticks, which I do by sticking the tip of the blade in a log and drawing the wood across the edge. The spine will require some file work if you want to use it to strike sparks. I did not do any drawknife work, but the blade profile looks like it should handle it easily.
So in summary, I would rate the blade as excellent and the handle and sheath as mediocre, but functional.
Overall length: 19 3/4"
Blade length: 14 1/4"
Blade thickness: 3.16mm
Weight: 1lb. 3.8oz.
handle: A straight slab of hardwood with no variation in width ot thickness. There is a small guard formed by front of the scales and the blade at the tang-to-cutting edge transition. The top of the scales covers the top of the tang, tang is exposed on the bottom. The handle rivets are set so that the tops of the rivets are either flush or slightly below the surface of the wood. I did not notice them while I was working. The bottom of the handle scales extends slightly below the bottom of the tang. The gap between the scales was uncomfortable, but it only took a few minutes to get everything flush. The rounded-over parts of the scales had noticeable edges where they met the flat sides. I found them a bit uncomfortable so I smoothed the transition with some sandpaper. There is a generously-sized lanyard hole, but no swell or hook at the butt. The handles were a good fit for my medium-large hands (slightly smaller than a size L glove).
sheath: Made of light-weight leather, open-backed with two straps over the back of the blade and another one around the handle. All three straps are riveted on. The belt loop is riveted on and is set up for left-side carry with the spine of the blade facing forward. There is no welt. The edges of the sheath are both riveted and stitched. The rivets are set in far enough to protect the stitching. The overall look and feel of the sheath is cheap, but upon closer examination it should do an adequate job. I like the design, but am used to the heavyweight Condor sheaths, so I will probably copy it in heavier leather and with a welt at some point to suit my personal preferences.
The blade: This is why I would buy this bolo again. Although the blade came with a pronounced burr, it only took a few passes on a Ken Onion Worksharp to take it off. I set the edge at 30 degrees per side and experienced no chipping or rolling. The blade held the edge well. The transition from the primary grind to the flats was smooth. The sweet spot was easy to find and the knife hits with authority. Penetration was excellent. When the blade stuck in the wood, it was easy to extract. It handled everything from limbing to cutting six inch seasoned hardwood logs comfortably and unseasoned wood with ease. It works well for splitting and making feather sticks, which I do by sticking the tip of the blade in a log and drawing the wood across the edge. The spine will require some file work if you want to use it to strike sparks. I did not do any drawknife work, but the blade profile looks like it should handle it easily.
So in summary, I would rate the blade as excellent and the handle and sheath as mediocre, but functional.
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