Can a long machete feel as solid as a 20" machete?

I will pick one up next week. Thanks buddy! Also, due to a recent incident involving my head and a cane machete, the hook will be removed ASAP.
 
LOL it's so long I think you'd have to try pretty hard to hit yourself with it. The factory hook isn't sharp at all, either. Though I sharpened it on mine! :D
 
Not really many sheaths available for most of the super huge ones unless it's thin enough to fit in one of their "generic" sheaths intended for Latin patterns like the Pata de Cuche. Most extra long machetes are in the user's hand or stuck in a tree to free the hands. Many also carry them tucked under the armpit. However, you can always make a form-fitted "hobo leather" (cardboard) sheath for it using the instructions I posted here on the boards. Search for "hobo leather" and you'll find it. :p
 
So what are we calling "Super Huge"?
Anything in the 24"-28" range?

Cause I'm not seeing anything really outrageous.

I mean so few people look at me and say to themselves, "Ya know?... I should really stay away from that guy. He looks dangerous."
I think they would if I had a 24"-28" machete tucked underneath my armpit.

You got anything closer to 30"?

(I wanna be like that fat kid with a light-saber that made a gazillion internet dollars.)
 
"super huge" referring primarily to the 24"+ BROAD designs. It's a referential descriptor, though, since they're only really "super huge" compared to what North Americans are accustomed to seeing (namely mostly 14"-18" machetes) But generally sheaths aren't commonly used on the large models since, as mentioned, they're often "working" patterns and not used in situations where a sheath would be an advantage. Machetes are commonplace tools down there so folks don't bat an eye at them being carried around unsheathed, contrary to the way folks in our neck of the woods do.

At least that's how I understand it. If someone with more first-hand experience on the matter than I can chime in, please do. Either way sheaths for those patterns aren't common in production manufacture. When sheathed they're usually made by local craftspersons.
 
Well I have lived with family in Guatemala, and helped start a farm. Sheaths are common for personal machetes, however some just slip them between the belt. They are very nice when not having a vehicle available, and walking with a machete hanging free beside your legs makes it a bit awkward to walk.
 
My curiosity led me to try a Imacasa 27 Inch Caguayano on my brambles. Now I think I know what folks mean by whippy. Works fine on grass, but flops around when swung and twists when it hits something solid enough to stop it. Fortunately I intend to use it to clear grass and shoots on a slope that I can't mow so I think it will remain useful, but it is not a good chopper. When waggled back and forth it flexes about six inches up the blade from the handle. The plastic handle does feel more secure and comfortable than I expected.
It does have significant taper, but it seems that if it was a bit thicker coming out of the handle it would whip less.
Is this a characteristic of the style or a function of the length? My panga and my latin machetes don't whip at all compared to this thing.
 
It's a combination of the intended use of the pattern and also the length. Tapering reduces whippiness but does not always eliminate it depending on the pattern, length, and degree of taper, and base stock thickness.
 
A few years back I scored an original Collins. As far as I can tell it was never used. The label is crisp and new. It has wood handle scales, bigger than the tang. The blade is an eighteen inch long bolo. It’s three and a half inches broad at the end. It has a pretty distal taper.

I’ve never used it. It seems a shame to mess up something like that.

But I owned Collins machetes in the old days. Once I fixed up the handle and put an edge on one, it was sweet.
 
I just got in at least on example each of the 20"-28" Pata de Cuches. They're not up on the site yet but I wanted to post my impressions. The distal taper is nicely executed. Like Joezilla mentioned you'll find that the 24"-28" machetes wants you to lead more with the elbow, but they track nicely and have barely any droop when held horizontally. Very impressive!
 
I've been working with the Imacasa 27 Inch Caguayano for a few days now and it is turning out better than I expected. The sag (droop?) isn't objectionable working with lighter stuff if the blade is kept sharp enough to cleave through in a single stroke. The lack of a hooked tip makes it much easier to swing back and forth through grass and brambles, since there isn't much drag on the backstroke through light material since it cuts without binding.
The Caguayano is a very musical tool since it rings constantly while in use. Every time it hits a cane it gives off a loud "Ping! as it slices through.
The real key has been getting a keen edge on this machete. It seems to need to be kept sharper than the panga or the latin styles I've been using.
 
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