Badass Machetes!! modded by Fiddleback

Cool pics. They really have a spirit, those blades. I was hoping to do these regularly.
 
Larger?? 3/8" thick is the thickest I can order.
 
Fiddleback said:
Larger?? 3/8" thick is the thickest I can order.
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I guess I'm crazy:o, all I know is the Bow Legged Chopper feels better and really locks my hand in. I know they are two different animals. I guess this is a compliment on the BLC.:thumbup:


Looking forward to my next Fiddleback.:thumbup:
 
Mine arrived today, but I missed the postman so I'll have to pick it up tomorrow. I'll be sure to post pics as soon as I can! :D
 
Ok--got it today. All I can say is WOW! This is the most dynamic and "alive" feeling machete I've played with yet! Moonwilson was right--it IS subtly distal tapered, too. The lack of a point isn't really noticeable either. Collins (in their infinite wisdom back in the day) positioned the bottom "corner" of the lopped-off end directly in line with the median of the blade so it basically DOES have a tip; just not visually.

Andy--you really knocked it out of the park with the innovative grip shape you put on these! The tapered top makes pinch-gripping the handle incredibly comfortable, whilst the swell and subsequent inward contour makes a great spot for the rest of the fingers to "squeeze" against during the swing. Truly amazing. For $85 that's one hell of a bargain!

My one and only complaint is that the back of the grip is a bit square for comfort and seems to be making hot spots, so I'll probably be contouring it a little further to round it out. Any tips on how to do it so it blends well visually? This thing is gorgeous and I don't want the further shaping to be obvious!
 
Got mine last night....Andy, await a call. She is a heavy beast that will do well in thy winter forest tomorrow.
 
I also just found a bunch of cool new places in my area to go and have at it! :D

Just hope it warms up soon--it's only 7 degrees F out right now! :eek:

Do you think a file with work for doing the rough work of reshaping the back of the handle? I just need to take the corners off of it before it's good to go.
 
Fiddleback said:
Bad news on that guys. While my source thought he had hundreds of these, it turns out he has only ten more. So these 22inchers are going to dry up fast. I'm going to get some of these spoonbill lookin 18's, but they'll look very different.
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Are any of the remaining 10 22 inchers going to be available here on BF? I would like to get one.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Ok--got it today. All I can say is WOW! This is the most dynamic and "alive" feeling machete I've played with yet! Moonwilson was right--it IS subtly distal tapered, too. The lack of a point isn't really noticeable either. Collins (in their infinite wisdom back in the day) positioned the bottom "corner" of the lopped-off end directly in line with the median of the blade so it basically DOES have a tip; just not visually.

Andy--you really knocked it out of the park with the innovative grip shape you put on these! The tapered top makes pinch-gripping the handle incredibly comfortable, whilst the swell and subsequent inward contour makes a great spot for the rest of the fingers to "squeeze" against during the swing. Truly amazing. For $85 that's one hell of a bargain!

My one and only complaint is that the back of the grip is a bit square for comfort and seems to be making hot spots, so I'll probably be contouring it a little further to round it out. Any tips on how to do it so it blends well visually? This thing is gorgeous and I don't want the further shaping to be obvious!
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Awesome!! Take a file (half round) to the back of the handle. Be careful not to scuff the metal so you don't have to mess with getting that sanded out. Then sand with 60 and 80 grit paper.

GotASig said:
Are any of the remaining 10 22 inchers going to be available here on BF? I would like to get one.
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I still haven't heard from that guy... I'm worried this was it.
 
I have had a chance to take this out in to the field. It did fabulous on the vines and I had a chance to learn what grape vines do in the winter. It also was a blast while tracking some critters.
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FortyTwoBlades said:
My one and only complaint is that the back of the grip is a bit square for comfort and seems to be making hot spots, so I'll probably be contouring it a little further to round it out. Any tips on how to do it so it blends well visually? This thing is gorgeous and I don't want the further shaping to be obvious!
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Its not just you, don't worry. Andy, I have measurements and modifications if it is at all possible with the micarta grips that you have! Await call tonight.
 
Well, I rounded off the back with a bit of 220 grit (I was at my folks' place the day before last and it was the only stuff they had on hand). I started buy roughing the shape down a bit with a chainsaw file (did well for matching the contours) just to knock the corners off it a tad before progressing to paper. I then wrapped the blade in cardboard and locked it in a vice, then took a long strip of the sandpaper and pulled it back and forth over the front and the back of the handle just like a shoe polisher with a cloth.

I'm quite pleased with the results. Took only about 10 minutes to do, too. Even though you can't see the work I did too well, here are some pics! (Forgive the poor lighting--even though we have skylights in the apartment it's been overcast here lately)

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Gonna' take it out today and do some more chopping with it. I used it the day before last to take down a 4" diameter spruce tree that was on my parents' property. Worked like a charm!
 
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After seeing this thread, I really want one of these machetes as well. Please let me know if there are any more coming in, also the 18" Santokuchete sounds pretty awesome too!
 
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