Custom Machete

Personally, the forged vs stamped thing is a myth and a can of worms here, and you will get different opinions on that. I think part of making a recommendation is knowing how you intend to use the machete and in what manner you broke the previous ones. And there are steels that can be tempered to 60-61 and won't shatter and has been done a lot.
 
Here ya go. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=7725839

Magnussen said:
This one almost stayed with me, I liked it so much. The Bush-Ido is kinda my interpretation of a woodsman's waki. Fast and sharp!! See my thread in the Maker's Gallery for more photos and pics of it in use.

1075, hand forged.
5/32" thick.
12 1/4" cutting edge, 1 1/2" at widest, rough forge/etched finish.
5 1/2" handle, hemp wrapped w/ leather backing scales, epoxy soaked.
18" OA length.

Price $625 shipping included. Paypal or Int'l Money Orders accepted.

IMG_0148-1.jpg

Bush-Ido-1.jpg


The ambidextrous sheath utilizes a "frog" system for easy removal from your belt. The sheath itself can be simply tied into a waist sash with the attached leather cord. I can provide alternate frogs for baldric, horizontal carry, etc... for an additional price.

Bush-Ido.jpg

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Thanks
Rick
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Newbeliever said:
Blue Steel #2, Cowry-x, ZDP-189, SG-2 all have the ability to hardend to high HRC's without shattering. Ranging from 62-67, these are highly specialized steels available to only a very small select group of smiths. I have only found 1 on here that uses Blue Steel #2, no one that uses any of the others. So yea, I want something that will last me into the next life. So, THOSE WHO ARE stop telling me to get some cheap piece of S**T that is worthless and going to break. I have broken more than my share a cut myself in the process. I'm not a collector, I'm a serious user and want a tool that is trust worthy.
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Those highly specialized steels also are rarely, if ever, used in long blades that see high impact. The specialized steels are also available to anyone who can afford them and want to work with them. Because of the high cost and very specific heat treatment (which for many of them requires industrial heat treatment facilities) makes it unappealing to many makers when there are less expensive, easier to work steels that provide very close to the same performance when used in the field.

Also, for use in a machete you'll want a steel that's slightly softer not just for impact resistance but also because of the likelihood of you accidentally hitting rocks or other hard objects that will dull your edge no matter what steel it's made from. Thus, having a steel soft enough that you can repair the damage easily when out in the field is a major advantage. There are many makers of quality production machetes out there--just because they're inexpensive doesn't mean they're crap. Check out Condor for a premium production machete. They're fantastic, as anyone on the boards who owns one can tell you.

That being said, if you really want someone to make one out of super steel for you, I'm sure you can. Most of us just think you'd get better performance and lower cost if you went with different options. :)
 
Take a look at Magnussen's Bushido, its of hand forged in 1070. Rick's 1070 has made a believer out of me. I have one of his blades in the same material and it has outclassed every tool steel knife I have from production makers. He does seem to heat treat them pretty hard, but they certainly do not shatter. In fact, one of the reasons he went with 1070 is so they could withstand chopping use in Canada's extreme cold.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706769

I see Tonym already beat me to it :D
 
On the subject of forging vs stamped, yes I know its a close call and arguable as long as the steel comes from a good & reputable source. However we all like what we like, yes?
Besides, those last 3 steel that I mentioned are all powedred stainless steels and I'm a carbon lover, blue steel #2 is an awesom carbon steel with high RCH of 62 but rare in the US. I have been trying to get this made for 2 years. It still doesnt look like its going to happen anytime soon.
 
Give a holler to Matt Lamey or Charlie Edmonson on these boards, if you want to contact Bill look in the makers for sale fixed blade section, he has a few threads there and you could PM him.

Phillip Patton does some large stainless choppy thingys I believe.

For a lot of makers the issue is the ability to heat treat something that long, it's basically a sword and the ovens/forges and quench tanks for something that large aren't common. Making a big knife is a lot harder than a small knife, making a sword is a great deal harder than making a big knife.

Machetes are used all over the world to commit violent acts or to defend themselves from violence. I've seen some ugly stuff in Latin America where people have been on both sides of the equation. A properly made machete is a death dealing tool.
 
What about the Swamprat Waki guys? Not a machete but still a pretty good looking grind to me for brush cutting. Must be close to the right blade length. I'm pretty sure their steel is a bout as tough as they come. Don't know about the rockwell. Well below 2000.00 dollars. Is the main point that it be hand-forged to say it's a custom machete or are you primarilly interested in performance?
 
Aleyn, the only reason I'm wanting a hand forged/hammered is because thats what I know best and know how to keep it well maintained. The only knives I own are like that and dont really know much about stamped knives, have never had a big interest in them.
 
aleyn1975 said:
What about the Swamprat Waki guys? Not a machete but still a pretty good looking grind to me for brush cutting. Must be close to the right blade length. I'm pretty sure their steel is a bout as tough as they come. Don't know about the rockwell. Well below 2000.00 dollars. Is the main point that it be hand-forged to say it's a custom machete or are you primarilly interested in performance?
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This is what came to mind when i read your post...
 
Will Leavitt said:
Give a holler to Matt Lamey or Charlie Edmonson on these boards, if you want to contact Bill look in the makers for sale fixed blade section, he has a few threads there and you could PM him.

Phillip Patton does some large stainless choppy thingys I believe.

For a lot of makers the issue is the ability to heat treat something that long, it's basically a sword and the ovens/forges and quench tanks for something that large aren't common. Making a big knife is a lot harder than a small knife, making a sword is a great deal harder than making a big knife.

Machetes are used all over the world to commit violent acts or to defend themselves from violence. I've seen some ugly stuff in Latin America where people have been on both sides of the equation. A properly made machete is a death dealing tool.
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Yes, thats problem I keep running into, the size. As for the violence, I'm here in the states and have never been into any hugely violent confrontations, just a stupid brawl with the brother in-law but he deserved it. However your right about how nasty they can be.

Just got an email from PJ Tomes, he is the man.:cool::D
 
Newbeliever said:
Aleyn, the only reason I'm wanting a hand forged/hammered is because thats what I know best and know how to keep it well maintained. The only knives I own are like that and dont really know much about stamped knives, have never had a big interest in them.
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Not all knives that are not forged are stamped. Stock removal makers do not simply stamp blades from a sheet of steel. They cut to rough shape and then grind away everything that doesn't look like a knife. :) Also, given that they are made from the same steel and heat treated correctly, there will be no noticeable differences in care or usage of two identical knives made by the forging and stock removal processes.

I'd agree with others that think 60-61 is too high for a blade with the length and geometry of a machete, at least considering the intended use of a machete, no matter what steel it is made from.
 
Newbeliever said:
Blue Steel #2, Cowry-x, ZDP-189, SG-2 all have the ability to hardend to high HRC's without shattering. Ranging from 62-67, these are highly specialized steels available to only a very small select group of smiths. I have only found 1 on here that uses Blue Steel #2, no one that uses any of the others. So yea, I want something that will last me into the next life. So, THOSE WHO ARE stop telling me to get some cheap piece of S**T that is worthless and going to break. I have broken more than my share a cut myself in the process. I'm not a collector, I'm a serious user and want a tool that is trust worthy.
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I dare you to show me a 60+ RC machete chopping anything harder than balsa without shattering or the edge chippinbg out.
 
I'd have to cast my vote for p.j tomes, I've heard great things about his machetes as well as a glowing review in tkm. id urge you to reconsider your request for a rockwell hardness of 60. machetes are not kitchen knives and they will not benefit from a high RH quite the contrary actually.
 
At a 60+ Rockwell on a 2000 dollar machete, you're going to end up with a 2000 dollar saw.
 
I don't know what the RC is on the Tomes machete but from sharpening my own, I would say closer to 50 than 60. But I consider that a good thing in a machete. I've hit rocks with it without serious damage and resharpening was no problem at all.
 
theamazingdrew said:
I dare you to show me a 60+ RC machete chopping anything harder than balsa without shattering or the edge chippinbg out.
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Do you really dare me to show you that, because I can.

Listen guys, I know your all very knowledgable about knives and the like but it can be done. Here is a video by a CERTIFIED Master Blacksmith demonstrating some chopping with his custom machete, it is bit short for a machete but it somewhat perform as one and I bet it would give a wild boar one hell of a hair cut.

This blade is a Blue Steel#2 laminate, RCH 62 plus, hand forged and hammered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM60prhzj_o
 
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Why exactly are you looking for a machete that will hold a keen edge?

Do you intend to shave with it when you are finished bushing, as above?

Maybe check out Shiva Ki?

Maybe buy a 6 dollar Tramontina machete and try it out. You will still have $1994 for the custom if you really don't like it.
 
Sparljo said:
Why exactly are you looking for a machete that will hold a keen edge?

Do you intend to shave with it when you are finished bushing, as above?

Maybe check out Shiva Ki?

Maybe buy a 6 dollar Tramontina machete and try it out. You will still have $1994 for the custom if you really don't like it.
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Well, the main thing I will be doing with it is brush clearing, mostly thin brush. The other thing its for, wild boar attacks. Where I live there a lot of russian mixed wild boar, nasty ones at that. Yes, of course I have a gun for them but sometimes its kind of difficult to fumble around with. Especially when they charge, they can scare a person pretty good and if they get a person on the ground, ohh thats a big problem.

So I want something that can deal with these nasty a** masses of muscle and can cut past the skull and into there brain. I have been talking to PJ Tomes, he says his Machete "will give a boar a bad day" his own words.
So if anyone else has a better idea for a machete maker, I'm all ears.

As for shaving afterward, dont plan on it. That video was just for the people that think know everything about metals, hardness, and what can & cant be done. All I asked for was an excellent smith that can make an excellent blade that will not fail at the wrong time. A cheaply made blade is completely out of the question;)
 
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