Decent smatchet?

Dan57 said:
I wish somebody like Tramontina or Condor would make a smatchet design...
Click to expand...

I've got a design for something similar to a Welsh Fusilier's sword drawn up that I may be able to push through with a company I've been in contact with. It's not one of the above companies, but well-known. I can't elaborate further at this time, though.
 
You know...you can get one heck of an awesome Khukuri for $200 or less from Himalayan Imports. The Chirawa Ang Khola is a beast, half an inch think. The M43 or the 18" WWII Model are also quite beastly, also much beloved of the British Army, are every bit as much a weapon as a tool (like the smatchet...good for everything, digging, prying, fighting), and because of the good people at Himalayan Imports, readily available...unlike the Smatchet which is going to be hard to find.
 
Just guess, but I don't really think a khukri would fit the bill. They aren't even remotely stylistically similar.
 
Though Himalayan Imports does occasionally have Spear Vala knves in, which are basically full convex smatchets.
 
Not stylistically similar no. But functionally...yes. Big, tough, intimidating knife that is just as useful as a tool as a weapon. Both were pretty much designed for similar tough military service. Same also with the traditional American Bowie knife. Big tough knife designed as much to be a sidearm as a tool.

Functionally speaking: Smatchet = Bowie = Khukuri. To a less extent also the Leuku which is not designed to be a weapon but otherwise a big tough knife...all tool though.
 
HoosierQ said:
Not stylistically similar no. But functionally...yes. Big, tough, intimidating knife that is just as useful as a tool as a weapon. Both were pretty much designed for similar tough military service. Same also with the traditional American Bowie knife. Big tough knife designed as much to be a sidearm as a tool.

Functionally speaking: Smatchet = Bowie = Khukuri. To a less extent also the Leuku which is not designed to be a weapon but otherwise a big tough knife...all tool though.
Click to expand...

I'll have to disagree with you there. They're all different answers to the same question, but not functionally identical in the slightest. As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat, and the smatchet, bowie, and khukri all take very different roads to reach the same destination. At least in my mind and experience.
 
Franciscomv said:
How about one of these?
View attachment 285677

It's a Bark River Clax. I don't think they make it anymore, but it's quite nice. I had one for a while, now my dad has it. It came in both single edge and double edge variants, if I'm not mistaken. Maybe you can find one.
Click to expand...

CLAX!!!

SANY0354.jpg


DCFC0148.jpg


100_0836.jpg


100_0862.jpg
 
Actually that Clax looks better than the Boker Smatchet, must have a look for one. MacDonald is stil the best bet for a top class replica of the WW2 item.
Phil
 
I've got the CS Shanghai Shadow shown above and I think it's a worthwhile knife for the price. However I've been wondering for a while why CS doesn't offer a full size Smatchet in the 10" to 12" blade range. No major maker offers them and the Smatchet seems to be exactly the type of knife CS glories in. I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
 
Dr Heelhook said:
The words "decent" and "smatchet" somehow don't go very well together.
Click to expand...

I am curious why you feel this way? I have always been impressed with the smatchet design and while I carry a mission mpk in the field I could see a smatchet as a more formidable combat weapon and reasonable battlefield tool in comparison. It's heavy and corrodes in salt water, but it whips the mpk in hand to hand and chopping capability if made from decent metal.

I would be interested in buying one also - but I can only find ones of moderate build quality. The AL MAR version is on ebay for $1200-$1300, I would just pay for a custom built one of my choice of metal if I was going to pay that. The Boker versions are up for $700-$750, but I don't think they are worth anywhere near that. Again a custom knife maker could probably do better for that price.

I would be very interested in one made of tool steel with a decent handle. Please advise if anyone knows a good source aside from the ebay choices above.
 
Bark River is hard to beat! U might have a pay 30-50 more , but u will have something similar to a custom qaulity. They got good stuff
 
Another shout out for the HI Spear Vala, even if the OP got banned. I've got one, and love it.

I might have to turn my hand to making a smatchet at some point here. It's a pretty simple design. Shouldn't be too hard.
 
Personally I don't know why folks would want a "thick" Smachet.

A 3/32nd smachet would perform just as well IMO, maybe even a little better considering it's purpose isn't chopping wood.
 
ron_m80 said:
Personally I don't know why folks would want a "thick" Smachet.

A 3/32nd smachet would perform just as well IMO, maybe even a little better considering it's purpose isn't chopping wood.
Click to expand...

Agreed. In fact, it would still do fine on wood, even. :p
 
If anyone knows a source for the Bark River Clax please post or message. I have called around and none appear to be available at the moment.
 
They make them in batches and when they get sold out, that's it. If you want a new run of Clax's you'll need to go and hound Mike Stewart to get him to set up another run.
 
Szandman said:
If anyone knows a source for the Bark River Clax please post or message. I have called around and none appear to be available at the moment.
Click to expand...

Try a "Wanted to Buy" thread.
That's how I got one for my dad and one for my brother.:)
 
Nate805 said:
I have been looking for a quality smatchet or smatchet like object. I have looked at the scorpion knives smatchets, Atlanta cutlery smatchet and now the forged in time smatchet.
Does anybody have any experience with these blades or can someone guide me in the right direction of a good smatchet for around 200$ or less? Also it would help to actually give me some suggestions that are available now and haven't been discontinued.
Click to expand...

What are you gonna use it for?... or are you collecting them?
 
edmf, best smastchet ever, if you can get it, i got two
 

Attachments

  • IMAG0597.jpg
    IMAG0597.jpg
    48.4 KB · Views: 45
CWL said:
They make them in batches and when they get sold out, that's it. If you want a new run of Clax's you'll need to go and hound Mike Stewart to get him to set up another run.
Click to expand...

Mike Stwart has said numerous times that there will not be another Clax run.

The dies that were used to make the Clax (and Forrester) were destroyed in a fire and the costs to replace them wouldn't pay off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top