It seems I am stuck with a cold steel kukri machete that I cannot return because I tested it our for about 5 mins and was unsatisfied. I was wondering if anyone can comment on the performance of this knife when it is razor sharp. How well does the edge hold? Using it out of the box utility sharp dulled it, flattened the edge, dented the edge, and gave a very minor chip all on some brances....
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CS Kukri Machete Question
- Thread starter acircleda
- Start date
Cliff Stamp
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What do you mean you can't return it, who said this? In regards to edge damage. Often times, especially with cheaper blades, but even with higher end ones, the initial edge isn't a true indicator of performance. Grind the edge off with a file, resharpen and try it again.
-Cliff
-Cliff
Cliff Stamp
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Did you mention the edge damage?
-Cliff
-Cliff
razor is not good. I have 3 blade from the coldsteel machete line. They come from the factory with very bad quality control. First the black paint strips of when you try to remove the sticker with either alcohol, or nail polish remover. First thing i did was remove the finish. Then the grind, the grind is onevenly done with flat edges, wire edges and different angles.
What you need to do is like Cliff said is remove the stock edge, it's worthless. Then make a new edge but at about 40 degrees. This is a good compromise between a sharp edge and a durable edge. I sharpen it till it cuts paper, not till it's shaving sharp. If you put on a very fine edge it will roll.
When you finished your machete, after paint removal, satin sanded the blade and applying a good edge the machete is quit good. I have used my kukri machete to remove treestumps, chopping into the earth and thru roots. It did some minor damage to the edge but the kukri withstood full power blows. The steel is designed to withstand abuse and seems flexible enough to withstand bad cuts, but you have to give some edge retention away.
After "pimping" your kukri you have a good user. The sheath sucks imho, it's more geared toward storing the blade then actually using it on your belt on a camping trip.
It is however a very good "emergency" blade.
so pimp that blade!
What you need to do is like Cliff said is remove the stock edge, it's worthless. Then make a new edge but at about 40 degrees. This is a good compromise between a sharp edge and a durable edge. I sharpen it till it cuts paper, not till it's shaving sharp. If you put on a very fine edge it will roll.
When you finished your machete, after paint removal, satin sanded the blade and applying a good edge the machete is quit good. I have used my kukri machete to remove treestumps, chopping into the earth and thru roots. It did some minor damage to the edge but the kukri withstood full power blows. The steel is designed to withstand abuse and seems flexible enough to withstand bad cuts, but you have to give some edge retention away.
After "pimping" your kukri you have a good user. The sheath sucks imho, it's more geared toward storing the blade then actually using it on your belt on a camping trip.
It is however a very good "emergency" blade.
so pimp that blade!
- Joined
- May 28, 1999
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- 2,606
This is one of those cheap machetes they sell right?? I've found factory edges to always stink on those, they either have a burr along most of the edge that folds over or flakes off the first time they're used, or they have large unsharpened spots. They're not the highest quality knives out there but once sharpened properly they make great tools. They're pretty soft, but that's for durability purposes so they won't break, and also so they're easy to sharpen in the field. If it continues to chip after a few resharpenings give cold steel another call.
I'm thinking that you just used the wrong language with the customer service rep. Don't ask to "return" the knife, ask if the damage is covered under the satisfaction guaranteed warranty, as you think it may not be tempered correctly, and tell them why(the chipping noted in clean wood). They "should" offer to inspect it and offer a replacement if it's defective. I dunno if this is worth the hassle though, you'll probably have to pay shipping and the knife really isn't worth much more than the shipping cost.
I'm thinking that you just used the wrong language with the customer service rep. Don't ask to "return" the knife, ask if the damage is covered under the satisfaction guaranteed warranty, as you think it may not be tempered correctly, and tell them why(the chipping noted in clean wood). They "should" offer to inspect it and offer a replacement if it's defective. I dunno if this is worth the hassle though, you'll probably have to pay shipping and the knife really isn't worth much more than the shipping cost.
Those Cold Steel machettes are made right here in South Africa. They're cheap, good value for money and absolutely essential for all our farmers. I grew up with them. Sharpen edge with a bastard file, use till it breaks (generally a good few years), get another. Although they've been used in quite a few massacres in Africa, they're not really tactical blades and it's not meant to hold a razor edge.
I've got the Kukri, too. I agree: it's a kukri-shaped object. Not the real thing. But the blade shape does seem to increase cutting power.
I made a simple carry sheath for it out of webbing and plywood. I'm not disappointed in it, because it's not a bad utility blade, but when I break it, I'll be buying one of the curved machettes from a local hardware store (Cost: about six dollars US)
I've got the Kukri, too. I agree: it's a kukri-shaped object. Not the real thing. But the blade shape does seem to increase cutting power.
I made a simple carry sheath for it out of webbing and plywood. I'm not disappointed in it, because it's not a bad utility blade, but when I break it, I'll be buying one of the curved machettes from a local hardware store (Cost: about six dollars US)
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- Mar 1, 2006
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WTF?
Anyway back on topic..just get the 8inch DMT xx coarse stone..you can reprofile it easily with that and get a finer dmt stone to finish it off.
killerskill
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- Oct 6, 2006
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- 428
don't put a razors edge on it. I put about a 25 like on it with a sharpmaker. using the 40 side with a stick under to raise it to 45 or 50 ( 25 or s0 each side). But first I did the whole edge at that angle with a file, then a dura-built rotary tool (a generic Dremel). It works great. I can cleanly cut 1'-2' trees with one shot with no damage to the edge. I can cut the top off a 2 liter coke bottle full of water without knocking it over. so it's fine for wacking down shrubs and bush on the trail. I mainly just wanted to turn it into a more usful weapon, and have fun and learn while I was doing it. It's really easy to resharpen too. I don't know what you where expecting to get from a $15 cold steel machete. OH YEAH, I forgot, They are real fun to throw. One turn by the handle and WHACK!!. The best $15 I've ever spent. Wait, I think it was $18. Anyway, What did you expect. It's so cheap, just mess around with it, modify it, grind it, throw it, abuse it, And get another one when it breaks. $15 of pure steel fun
