Bkt Patrol Machete

W

woodlore

Joined
Jul 16, 2003
Messages
38
Hi everybody. I have been hacking away with my Patrol Machete here lately and just cant say enough good things about this chopping machine. For its size and weight this thing is incredible. It takes and holds an edge very well and at least in my case is very comfortable to hold and use. I have not seen any other post on this site about the BKT Patrol Machete and I know there has got to be some people out there using them. I would like to hear any and all coments from people who have used this little monster. What do you guys think about them.......
Woodlore
 
I have used several, they all cut *very* well and were nice on soft vegetation. On woody vegetation they were prone to edge blowout very easily (the blade was functionally damaged). Others have described similar problems, Andrew Lynch for example. The warrenty policy is solid however, so if you do have problems you can get a refund or replacement without a hassle.

For wood working I would prefer a machete from Barteaux or Martindale, or a khukuri from HI or something like the Battle Rat from Swamp Rat knifeworks, or a hatchet or small saw depending on the type and class of wood.

-Cliff
 
I have not heard about the edge problems. I guess your saying that the edge will chip easy when used on hard woods. I have mainly been using it on tree trimming branches about 1 to 2 inches around. So far no problems with the edge. I would like to hear more replys on the performance of this machete, good or bad. I like its size, but I am also thinking about getting me a small Gransfors Hatchet . I wonder how they would compare?
Woodlore
 
The woods I used it on were soft mainly pine and fresh fir. The problems came from the edge being too thin in the tip and thus deforming readily through ripping. Ref :

http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/patrol_machete.html

A Granfors hatchet or small axe will work much better on thicker woods and stouter limbs, but these are not the tools you wold pick for small branches, especially live woods. There you want longer blades.

There has been lots of discussion on the Patrol machete in the past on the forums, check the Becker form, this forum, and the wilderness forum.

-Cliff
 
My first patrol machete snapped into while chopping on a very small piece of wood. Using a light chopping force. They sent me a new one and it has been great. no problems with it for over a year.
 
I would have to say I feel a little concerned about the blade snapping after hearing all of this. On second thought though it makes me want to go hack away on some big limbs and just see if it breaks. I had no idea they were having all these problems with them.
I have read a lot of good reveiws in the knife rags about them.
Thanks every one for the heads up......Woodlore
 
The problem is that some of them get very thin in the wide swell near the tip, the two that I saw which broke were <0.020". What I would recommend is getting a caliper and checking the thickness, if it is about 0.030" you should be fine.

-Cliff
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top