Barteaux machete from Marion

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Marion,

Finally spent some time with the machete after I re-profiled the edge. It cut good in small vegetation and held up well chopping through a dry maple branch about 4 inches in diameter. One problem though...I hate the handle for the way I use a machete.

I think I recall another thread that went ballistic when someone stated the same thing about a blade's handle
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Oh well, let me re-phrase that...it's just no good for me.

Being that it's so blade heavy and the design of the handle, it rubs me the wrong way just under the index finger knuckle.

This is probably from the way I use a machete - grasping in between the index and thumb and allowing the machete to rotate slightly in the hand and snap at the moment of impact.

Anyway, I went to the shop and cut away the end of the blade. The machete now has 14 inches of blade length with 12 inches of cutting edge. I also put some belly in the blade so that god-awful looking 'tanto' point is now gone. Next thing I did was saw off the handle guard.

Went back into the woods and was whacking 2" diameter green pine saplings easily in one smooth stroke. Chopped through the maple again and it didn't hurt my hand as bad with some of the weight gone. Edge is holding up well.

I still don't like the handle but a little shop work and it will be ok. In my opinion, Barteaux would be ahead of the game if they did a knock-off of the Ontario handle.

It's headed to Peru in June. I think it's going to work out fine down there with the shorter size. I like the L6 steel.

Jeff

------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
Jeff,

Thank you very much.

I have really been looking forward to hearing more about your experiece with the Barteaux.

I will try to get the picture online.

I like the way you modified it, it looks good. And if it works for you, that is the best part.

I also found the 18 inches to be a little too long.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

My Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!
My Fire Page, artificial flint and index of information.

"Many are blinded by name and reputation, few see the truth" Lao Tzu
 
Hmmm...sounds like you turned your Barteaux into my 14" wooden-handled tramotina.
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This is an awfully purty machete especially for the low dollars I paid for it. I can't remember what I did pay for it. I bought it from the Martial Way for some ridiculously low price. My only complaint is that there is no good place to drill a hole in the handle for a strap. It's becoming my favorite for light vegetation though. Still, it's pretty sturdy and thicker than my 16" Barteaux with the saw back (but not quite as thick as a heavy duty Barteaux).

Looking forward to seeing a picture of this modified Barteaux.



------------------
Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Jeff I am glad Marion sent you the Barteaux your impressions are pretty much the opposite of mine regarding the handle of the Barteaux and the balance of the 18" model. It is very interesting to read about performance from a different perspective.

Where is the balance point on your 18" Ontario and how much does it weigh? Was the guard interferring with your grip on the Barteaux? Do you plan on cutting any hard woods with it?

-Cliff
 
Cliff, you and I definitely have different technique, grip, or something. The Barteaux handle is the least favorite I have used and I've used a lot of different brand machetes.

Don't know where the balance point is on the Ontario. Currently I am Ontarioless since I gave my last one to a Peruvian last trip.

The Barteaux guard was hitting my fingers due to the way I grip and swing a machete. I always pinch grip (index and thumb) a machete and allow the blade to rotate slightly in the plam just before impact. This naturally opens the other fingers and they kept bumping on the guard.

Died Maple around here is hardwood. I cut through a 4 inch dry branch before and after the rework. Edge held up well and the comfort was greatly increased after the re-work.

Jeff

------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
My technique is the total opposite, my wrist is locked and my grip firm thus the handle works well for me as it is broad and swelled so it gives good support. I also like the guard to protect from impacts off of vegetation.

It would interesting to spend some time in an enviroment with radically different vegetation so as I could experiment with your grip. It does not work well for me around here. The main problem whith that though is that the tropical enviroment would probably quickly do me in.

I have a friend who is getting me some large parangs from Maylasia (up to 30" blade) and I think I may have to alter my technique when using them. He is well experienced though so it should be interesting.

-Cliff


[This message has been edited by Cliff Stamp (edited 05-18-2000).]
 
Here is a view of Jeff's handiwork!

Tanto point? I don't need no stinkin' tanto point.
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http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/barteaux1.htm

------------------
Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman

[This message has been edited by Hoodoo (edited 05-18-2000).]
 
Jeff, I got that in spades. Are there a lot of rivers where you normally go. If not I think I would need to bring a couple of sleds to drag along the bottled water I would need. I was down in Ohio a couple of years ago and almost had heat stroke when I went for a walk, the temp was over 30. Maybe I should rig up a liquid Nitrogen cooler.

Excellent job on the reprofiling. I think I will leave the Tanto point on mine as it does have some benefits I like. However if I was to rely on the 12" model as a stand alone blade I think I might round it out. Did you add the belly for game work and similar or do you prefer that for cutting brush?

-Cliff
 
Ok Cliff and Jeff,

What the hell is going on here???? My two favorite posters are getting along??
smile.gif
It must have something to do with that planet lining up thing that took place on May 5th. Maybe there IS hope for Israel and Palestine!!!!
Hmmmmm... Of course I have never seen any pictures of you two. Jeff never seems to put any in his TK reviews and Cliff never puts any in his reviews on his website... How could two people have such opposing views on knives... unless... I got it!!! You two are the same person and are just toying with all of us! The only way to solve this is to have Cliff and Jeff appear together. But where... I have read that so called Jeff absolutely hates the cold... And so called Cliff has told me he absolutely hates the heat... The only answer is to have Jeff go to Newfoundland in the dead of winter and go dogsledding and have some intense winter survival training, and Cliff go to the jungles of Peru in the height of the tropical heat season for jungle survival training. That's it!!! But we would need someone to document it for authenticity... Someone who is impartial and has kissed both of their asses... OK! I accept the job!! When do we depart guys?? Or is it Guy????

Jim
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Jim,

The way I have it figured is if I started putting my photo in TK too much, Steve Dick would probably get so many emails from all the good looking women that his email server would lock down....NOT! The real truth is he would probably get hate mail and subscriber loss due to cluttering up the magazine.

Cliff and I get along...like I said, we're both just hard-headed as Hell. He calls it like he sees it and I do the same when it comes to the way we use knives. This ought to be proof in itself that everyone has to make their mind up individually about what they like in knives. Also the difference in environments that we operate probably has a lot to do with the way we use and expect a blade to perform.

I'm afraid Cliff would bail out on me in the jungle
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and I damn sure know that I would wimp out on him in the cold.

As a side note to this post, I am coming out with a new sheath survival knife soon. I have a couple of protos that should be finished up this week. As soon as I get something in I will have photos up on our site. Simple blade with an emphasis on cutting efficiency and a few features for usability in the wilderness.

Will keep you posted.

Jeff

------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
Come on Jeff! Dish! What steel? 1095? Who's making it for you? Dimensions man dimensions.

Your's and Cliff's opposing views are probably the reason I have learned so much about what makes a good survival knife. I like your working mans attitude and Cliff's passion for finding the ultimate in ergonomics and steel. Since I'm on a working man's budget (read-diapers and formula) I bought the RTAK. In my research I haven't found a better value big knife. Although the Beckers may give it a run for the money. When Cliff finally decides to design the SSK (Stampinator Survival Knife) I will hopefully be in a position to purchase one. It will probably be in CPM 10v and out of my league though.
There is one thing I have read that you two agree on- The beneficial aspects of an ice cold beer! Of course Cliff probably likes dark and you probably red. But it's a start.

Now, if I could just get Ron Hood to unlock the mysteries of the Tanto style survival knife for me. Oh well, I guess I have more research to do.

Take care, (AND a big knife)

Jim
 
Jeff,

I forgot to tell you that I expect to see a picture of you in your next article. (Steven Dick be damned!) I'm also starting to think you might be an indiginous freedom fighter named Navarro. Until I see that picture, I'm not backing down from my Cliff/Jeff theory or my indig theory.

Jim
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In reference to the mention of the Becker line by Camillus, you won't go wrong with these pieces. I'm impressed with what I see so far. Just finished a review of the Campanion and now I'm doing the Brute. Ethan is throwing some good designs and new blood into the market.

BTW: I like dark beer myself. The thicker it is the better I like it....although I'm sipping on a Rolling Rock as I type this
smile.gif


------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com
 
Sounds like when I collect that beer you offered me in our last e-mail Jeff, it will be a Guiness Stout. I too am a dark man.

Your duckin' my questions Jeff. What about your knife?

When and where can we expect the Becker reviews? Will they be on your site or in TK?

Jim
 
Gentlemen,

What do you feel is the optimal length for a machete blade? 14" seems awfully short to me. There are custom machetes at around 12" long. I feel this is more like a big knife than the jungle gardening tool that is the machete.
 
Depends on the use of the machete. I know I have used big knives and machetes that are approixmately the same length and the machete usually wins out on efficiency in brush cutting. Most of this is due to balance and edge configuration.

Steve Dick and I have discussed machete use at length. He typically likes a 24 inch machete where I opt for max 18 inches. Most of the jungle folks use either 18 or 24 inch blades. The 12 inch models will get you through most of the vegetation though. Now I'm using the RTAK (which is shorter) more than I'm using a machete. Personally I think most of it has to do with what you get use to and learn how to use efficiently.

Jim, not avoiding your questions just waiting until I get everything back before I spew off too much. The blade is going to be 10 inches overall length with 5 inches of that being edge, carbon steel. The reviews you asked about: some of them are for TK and some are reviews directly for the manufacturer to see how their stuff holds up under certain conditions.

Jeff

------------------
Randall's Adventure & Training
jeff@jungletraining.com

[This message has been edited by JeffRandall (edited 05-20-2000).]
 
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