Collins Machete

[miguet]

I have WW2 vintage and some made in Guatemala. I've used a variety of manufacturers and none perform as well for my needs as the Collins. Does anyone know what type of steel or steels were used in their manufacture? I'm assuming 5160 but really don't know.

 

[tltt]

It's hard to pin down exact steel types for them, right after the War they were using a lot of 1080 shooting for a low 50's, and that is what they asked their early foreign plants for too. The WWII military models I've seen tested run in the 51 - 53Rc range.

They also made the #1250 Canadian bolo model using 1040 steel, rockwelled in the low to middle 50's. But that was to Canadian government specs, so I can't say if they kept it around after that.

You might want to ask Frank Trzaska at www.usmilitaryknives.com , if he's seen any other steel types listed. He's seen lots of spec sheets, etc.... over the years, so he might know some more.

 

[mete]

And they were sharpened with a file ! So if you had a Collins and file you were good to go !!

 

[miguet]

Thank you. Makes sense. Sharpens quickly, incredibly tough. I'm going to try a file.