Downsizing a machete

MVF

MVF

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I hope this qualifies as "tinkering", but if not, mods feel free to put it where it belongs.

I've got a cheap no-name machete that I bought before I knew anything about knives. I compounded the sin by using it on stuff it had no business being used on- like chopping up a lemon tree that had fallen over. Anyway, the edge is now all wavy beyond any point I'd want to try to sharpen past.

BUT, as I was getting ready to throw it away, I noticed that the handle wasn't half bad, and I could see a much smaller but really useful looking blade that could be salvaged from this thing. I know the steel still won't be anything special, but I would love to do the mod for the experience and to have a "garden" knife that I don't care about.

So my question is, what do I use to do the cutting? We're taking off about 3" of length and about 3/4" in width, so I don't think I want to file or grind it. Any help will be appreciated, and if this is just a ridiculous idea, please feel free to let me know!
 
If the edge has gotten wavy from taking a set from chopping on wood, really its likely too soft to actually hold an edge worthy of a larger knife. You can buy an imacasa machete with a springy temper for 10 or 15 dollars. I have used one for clearing horse trails for 2 years cutting tall grass, brambles, branches, and even small trees up to a 3-4 inch trunk down. It has never taken a set or chipped. Note, does not work well on osage orange, but nothing short of a chainsaw will.

Now if you want to grind and shape it up for practice go for it, mayby you can adjust a new machete to your exacting needs.
 
I used a Dremel tool w/cutoff wheel to modify my Ontario 12"er's tip. I made like a bowie tip & also made a 2 finger choil. It is an awesome blade, Made in America & around $24. Can't beat their heat treat either. I kept spraying the blade w/water every 30 seconds or so, so as not to change the heat treat. I went S_L_O_W_L_Y.
 
I'll try to get pics over the weekend. I think I have too much metal to remove to grind. Will a hacksaw cut it? I don't imagine this blade is all that hard, but I also don't know what hacksaw blades run.

As far as tools- basic hand tools and power tools (drills, circular saw). No angle grinder at the moment. A couple of Dremels
 
U could use the Dremel I've modified quite a few knives on it but it'll leave it quite rough do you have a belt sander to finish it off on?
 
I'd go with a grinder or dremel instead of the hacksaw...
Just get yourself of some cut-off wheels and you're set.

Also helps if you have some sort of belt sander just to shape things up.
 
Ahh, cut-off wheels sounds like the ticket, though I have an idea I'm going to go through a few of them
 
dremel sized wheel? maybe 2 or 3
full sized angle grinder or something similar with a cut off wheel? you probably won't completely go through 1. Remember people use these to cut pipes and all sorts of stuff

keep it cooled if you care about your HT at this point
 
Personally i wouldnt shorten it. Use a 3x21 belt sander and straiten the edge back out then put a new edge on it.
 
I used a,hacksaw to make sure I,didn't mess up the heat treat. Mine was one of the Cohagon one the sell at Wal-Mart.
 
I second the notion offered by st8yd. Get that belt sander humming and put a little old fashioned elbow grease to work. You'd have to get the blade pretty darn hot to jack up the heat treatment, but it is possible when power tools are employed as such.

Personally, I always thought that Ontario got the sizes just about right when they made the 18 incher and the smaller version of what is perhaps the best chopper for the money available to all of us at such a tasty price point.
 
Using a Dremel and cut-off wheels to shorten a machete will take forever, and you will probably burn up the Dremel.
Cut it off with a hacksaw or angle grinder. The angle grinder will get it hot enough to ruin the heat treatment.
 
I'd try the hack saw. Had an Ontario field knife that I modded, hacksaw worked to shorten it a little (1095 steel).

You could also try one of the carbide grit hack saw blades, I used one to cut some tile many years ago. Worked good on the tile.

Ric
 
Thanks guys. Can you get/use a cut-off wheel with a drill? If not, I think I'll look for one of those carbide hacksaw blades and save my Dremel
 
The dremel cutoff wheel? No those require high turn speeds.edit: I don't know if they have one adapted for drills.
Hack saw is cheapest if you need to buy something
 
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