Condor Speed Machete - touch-up and tinkering

R

roosterscrow

Joined
Oct 20, 2012
Messages
192
I recently picked up the new Condor Speed Machete because of it's extremely comfortable handle design and very universal blade design. That said, when selecting the machete at the store, the two they had in stock had a rather poor grind when compared to my Condor Golok which was a thing of beauty for example. I purchased the best of the two, but after getting it home and really looking it over I decided the blade grind really needed to be fixed (flat sections in the belly and wavy sections in the heel), even if I intended for this thing to be a working blade. So I took it to the belt sander and quickly realized that the "blasted satin" finish is a coating and decided it needed to come off. It sanded off easily but I was surprised at how rough and gouged the surface of the blade was under the coating with heavy score markings running the length of the blade which took lots of sanding on the belt sander to remove. After that I had a nice shiny blade that called out for a nice patina. Here it is the finished tool.

IMG_2992.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

IMG_2999.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]



It swings and cuts like a dream.
 
Last edited:
jdj_livefreeordie said:
any pics of the sheath and how it fits in the sheath? I really want one of these
Click to expand...

I just uploaded a video of this machete that includes my thoughts on the sheath.

[video=youtube;Ubzu7icQr5g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubzu7icQr5g&feature=youtu.be[/video]
 
Last edited:
thanks for the vid and your thoughts...i'll definitely have to pick one of these up. Disappointing that the "bead blasted" finish is really a coating
 
AWESOME Vid - well done!

I really like how you saw the potential and then brought it to life. I'll have to check into one of these for myself and here around the house!
 
Thanks. Although I was a little disappointed when comparing this machete to the Condor Golock's fit and finish, I find it to be the most comfortable and natural swinging machete I own. It's all about the forward weight , the natural feeling grip, and the light weight blade that I think makes for the perfect work machete for what I use a machete for. (mainly clearing brush and vines)
 
Steppin Razor said:
How did you get the patina pattern ?
Click to expand...

I folded a piece of paper towel over the blade and then wet the paper with apple cider vinegar. I then pressed and smoothed the paper towel tight to the blade so that the paper towels (scale-like) pattern would be patina imprinted onto the steel. This was set aside to dry for an hour or so, at which time the paper towel looks nearly dry and stained in rust. I then wet the paper towel to make it easy to remove and then washed off the heavy rust until just the scale like pattern is left. I often stop there and call it good but on this blade decided to try a second pattern using mustered over the top. This pattern was spread on the blade with a crumpled plastic grocery bag and aloud to set for maybe 30 minutes or so and was gently washed off until just the desired pattern was left. I liked the way it turned out as I thought it looks very snakelike with its patterned scales.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top