cold steel bowie machete thoughts?

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baliflipper02

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Aug 27, 2014
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i recently bowie machete from cold steel, and i love it so far! but one question, has anyone ever used the 1055 carbon steel in a humid environment?
and also how does it hold up to processing wood for camp fires/all around outdoor use? much thnx!
 
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baliflipper02 said:
i recently bowie machete from cold steel, and i love it so far! but one question, has anyone ever used the 1055 carbon steel in a humid environment?
and also how does it hold up to processing wood for camp fires/all around outdoor use? much thnx!
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In case you don't get a response in the general forums the simple answer is that yes it'll rust being a carbon steel, but honestly not so much that you'd have to worry about it. Especially considering the low operating sharpness of a machete it shouldn't be an issue.

I'm not sure if it would be very good for processing fire wood though... I think the blade will just get stuck. Or if you are trying to chop firewood against the grain it won't be too bad but you'd be better served with a pocket saw. Being a machete though it will bite deep which is nice.

The main things it is good for though is brush clearing, de-limbing etc. Awesome machetes though!
 
thanks for the answer, but what exactly do you mean by "low operating sharpness" its probably a stupid question but i would like to know what it means,
 
baliflipper02 said:
thanks for the answer, but what exactly do you mean by "low operating sharpness" its probably a stupid question but i would like to know what it means,
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Machetes can do their job fine without being "razor sharp" is what he was saying. A knife can start losing performance for knife-type tasks really fast as it starts losing it's edge-whereas a machete has to get pretty dull before it quits being effective and useful.
 
I like mine, it rides on my belt a lot better than a full length machete so I'm more willing to bring it with me. I'm also considering bringing the tip back an inch or two to give it a little more belly, as-is it gets very needle-like at the tip. For chopping and other regular machete use it holds a good edge, just don't expect it to be like a knife edge, as that isn't what its made for. It will work, you just have to touch up the edge more often. One advantage of this over say a hatchet is that it will be much better for clearing brush; so if you like to go camping and exploring in more thick or swampy areas, you'd probably be better off with this and a folding saw than with a hatchet. I've seen people make do with either one for camping, so get out and use it, and see if you think its a good choice for your own needs.

Honestly I think it would be fine for processing smaller sized firewood, but for general camp use I'd rather a hawk/hatchet and a small fixed blade with better edge holding capabilities.
 
My 12" bowie machete makes a decent chopper. Haven't cut up any firewood with it yet but I did hack apart a broken support beam with it (not sure what kind of wood it was made of but pretty tough stuff) and it did a decent job. My heavier 18" Tramontina and Ontario machetes chop a lil better cause of their weight and length but the bowie machete holds its own in the chopping department. Only thing I'd be slightly weary of is the tip but I've pryed a little with mine with no ill effect yet.
 
Thinking about it, "machete" name aside, Cold Steel's 1055 carbon steel is surely as good as the steel that was used to make Bowie style knives a century ago. Their machetes could have been, in another time, called "rough finished knives". I have their Smatchet, and with the false edge sharpened and some grip tape wrapped around the handle, it is a virtual short sword.
 
I dont have the bowie but do have the kukri machete and have used it in the swamps of south carolina, georgia and the wilds of texas. I purchased in 2008 and it is still going strong. the 1055 holds well. Yes you have to sharpen more than 1095 but not much more so. use it for the task designed and you will not have any problems.
 
Good grief! Machetes were born in the jungle, it's what they're made to do, for crissakes.... and I'm pretty certain none of them were made of "stainless" steel. I used them in Vietnam, and Guatemala...they won't rust away if you take care to clean and oil, as often as necessary or even only as often as you can. It's been a long time since I've seen a jungle (but I have been to New Orleans. LOL) I have CS bowie....I love it. I have CS Bolo machete ....meh...handle sucks. I have CS Gladius....marvelous, specially if you like to pretend you're killing your girlfriend's Greek relatives ( kidding, I love her relatives...can they ever cook!) Back to the point....NONE of all the CS knives, swords....or MACHETES I own (over a couple dozen, Cold Steel knives, not a couple dozen machetes, for crissakes)) have ever rusted. Ever! So, just take care of the damn things and....Relax!
 
I have the Cold Steel "Heavy Machete", also of 1055 steel, that I used for trimming coconut palms at an ocean front property in The Conch Republic (AKA "Florida Keys") for several years.
I never had a problem with the blade rusting, and it is humid there ... to say nothing of the rain everyday during the summer.

The blade can get a little dull without losing its effectiveness. I touched up mine about once a month or so, after opening the gods only know how many coconuts at the flea market. The palm fronds themselves did not affect the blade at all. I used a carbide/ceramic pull through sharpener, only took a couple minutes to get it sharp again.
 
Your lawn mower blade is carbon steel. What kind of abuse do you think it gets?
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
Thinking about it, "machete" name aside, Cold Steel's 1055 carbon steel is surely as good as the steel that was used to make Bowie style knives a century ago. Their machetes could have been, in another time, called "rough finished knives". I have their Smatchet, and with the false edge sharpened and some grip tape wrapped around the handle, it is a virtual short sword.
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I just ordered a Cold Steel Smatchet. It should be obvious to even a casual observer that is was, from the outset designed to act as a "short sword." I am looking forward to using this as a personal carry tool. With a properly costructed 'low ride' or ' buscadero' style belt/sheath it can ride low on my right leg as did Josh Randall's "Mare's Laig" on Wanted Dead or alive. Out of the way yet instantly available.

Captain O
 
Thanks Ichor......you saved me a rant, humid environments...LOL

Hey Bali, a little less online and more bushtime and you will be able to answer some of your own questions

I have the bowie machete but prefer my barong machete....I even have the discontinued cs barong with the wood handle and scabbard.
 
ichor said:
Good grief! Machetes were born in the jungle, it's what they're made to do, for crissakes.... and I'm pretty certain none of them were made of "stainless" steel. I used them in Vietnam, and Guatemala...they won't rust away if you take care to clean and oil, as often as necessary or even only as often as you can. It's been a long time since I've seen a jungle (but I have been to New Orleans. LOL) I have CS bowie....I love it. I have CS Bolo machete ....meh...handle sucks. I have CS Gladius....marvelous, specially if you like to pretend you're killing your girlfriend's Greek relatives ( kidding, I love her relatives...can they ever cook!) Back to the point....NONE of all the CS knives, swords....or MACHETES I own (over a couple dozen, Cold Steel knives, not a couple dozen machetes, for crissakes)) have ever rusted. Ever! So, just take care of the damn things and....Relax!
Click to expand...

Yep this.^
 
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