Fiddleback Machete's!

[FortyTwoBlades]

If this happens and I miss it somebody please p.m. me! I don't use machetes here, and would never even consider testing one here, because with all the hardwoods it would be for the most part taking it out of its intended element and an unfair test...sort of like testing a .22 hunting big game...it can be done but why would you want to if you have another option. However I am hoping to make a trip to see some family in south Florida this next winter and one of those would be sweet in the glades, better than my heavy bowies for that environment. I love the handle design!

Dude--you have to try a machete in the northern regions. It actually does a LOT better than you'd think. The Maine woods aren't too different from where you are, and a well-made machete is my go-to tool.

I've been advocating the use of north woods machete use for years now. You only really need an axe if you plan on doing a lot of splitting or felling. I can even do both of those with my machetes--it just takes a little longer. :thumbup:

 

[kage]

Those machetes look amazing! I'm pumped, especially for that 12" model. And if you do Pict's mods then that thing will be unstoppable, and may be my go to big knife! Something you can do chopping, foliage clearing, batonning, fine work, and still have a point to gut fish with, all in one package? Sign me up!

Have you considered a heavier (i.e. thicker, or differentially tapered) version for farther north?

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Those machetes look amazing! I'm pumped, especially for that 12" model. And if you do Pict's mods then that thing will be unstoppable, and may be my go to big knife! Something you can do chopping, foliage clearing, batonning, fine work, and still have a point to gut fish with, all in one package? Sign me up!

Have you considered a heavier (i.e. thicker, or differentially tapered) version for farther north?

It's called the longer ones.

Seriously I find you gain the most benefit in the north by going with a 20-24" blade, but shorter blades still work great as long as they're broad. I say keep 'em thin. They bite deeper that way.

 

[kage]

Wow FortyTwoBlades, you use a 2 foot long machete up North? You don't find that too ungainly? I would think for me (and I've never used one that long up North, so I don't know for sure), a blade that long would be too difficult to pack for the limited use I would get out of it.

Almost all of my experience with machetes is in the jungles of Central and South America, central Africa, SE Asia and PI. For the light foliage I run into there I prefer long machetes (I like 22" machetes because of my girly little wrists, and something like a 28 incher is too much for me), as it allows me to clear a large swathe with less energy expended at the end of the day. A 12 or 14 or even 18 incher is great for packing, but I find I have to do so much more work by swinging more often to clear the same amount of foliage (although 18" is a decent compromise for me).

I don't enjoy the thinness of machetes for harder woods, as they're a lot of work for chopping thicker wood and tend to vibrate pretty hard, but I don't mind a 10 or 12" machete as a general camp knife, and it's still great for batonning and decent for shelter building while saving weight over something like a Busse Battle Mistress (my grail big knife).

Realistically I get just about everything done with a sub-4" blade and a lightweight saw (usually a Fiskars Sliding Saw to save weight), but when I'm racing against the sunset to build a shelter fast, big blades rule.

 

[Fiddleback]

For something BEEFY, see this design:

 

[LYoung]

Andy, They look great. I wonder how they will perform in comparison to my Golok??
I look forward to see and touch those blades. Be nice to read how they do . That 16 incher looks cool. Landy

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Wow FortyTwoBlades, you use a 2 foot long machete up North? You don't find that too ungainly? I would think for me (and I've never used one that long up North, so I don't know for sure), a blade that long would be too difficult to pack for the limited use I would get out of it.

Almost all of my experience with machetes is in the jungles of Central and South America, central Africa, SE Asia and PI. For the light foliage I run into there I prefer long machetes (I like 22" machetes because of my girly little wrists, and something like a 28 incher is too much for me), as it allows me to clear a large swathe with less energy expended at the end of the day. A 12 or 14 or even 18 incher is great for packing, but I find I have to do so much more work by swinging more often to clear the same amount of foliage (although 18" is a decent compromise for me).

I don't enjoy the thinness of machetes for harder woods, as they're a lot of work for chopping thicker wood and tend to vibrate pretty hard, but I don't mind a 10 or 12" machete as a general camp knife, and it's still great for batonning and decent for shelter building while saving weight over something like a Busse Battle Mistress (my grail big knife).

Realistically I get just about everything done with a sub-4" blade and a lightweight saw (usually a Fiskars Sliding Saw to save weight), but when I'm racing against the sunset to build a shelter fast, big blades rule.

Yup! I've been using machetes in the Maine woods since I was in junior high.

Carrying a 24" machete isn't too hard when you just lash it to your pack. Even a simple cardboard sheath will do for the task. When used with a proper pinch grip I don't find there to be much shock--if any--even when chopping frozen hardwood. I typically go with a 20" with a heavy tip. I've taken out full-blown trees without much difficulty before. If you're hitting the sweet spot with a loose grip there should be little vibration OR shock. At least that's my experience. It does take a slightly different approach than lighter brush though.

 

[kage]

That's probably a lot of it, actually. I've never paid much attention to my technique (didn't seem to need much when busting brush in the jungle) and have heard it described by you and others here on WSS.

I guess I need to pick up a longer 'chete and play until I figure it out!

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

If getting one for use on thicker stuff or trees just make sure to get a forward-weighted design. I find they work better than typical Latin patterns for that kind of work. These are a few I consider to be winners in my neck of the woods.

The last one--the Imacasa Burriquito--has only a 14.5" blade but it compensates for being wide. It'll still sink deep into wood.

 

[kgd]

Very cool Andy. Looks like a great line-up you have there. I'll eagerly await the pics of your famous handles on them!

 

[Fiddleback]

42, we may need to do some soap lessons/soap itself for some knife related knowledge/product. Whatcha say about that?

 

[OldPhysics]

Those are going to be so cool. 14" looks about right to me!

I'm hoping to return to the "very heavily forested" regions of the planet in the not too-horribly-distant future, so that 18" model is starting to grab my eye.

Would you recommend that for those lucky few of us who already have an Andy Roy machete??

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

42, we may need to do some soap lessons/soap itself for some knife related knowledge/product. Whatcha say about that?

Sounds like a worthy proposal, good sir! PM me with details of said matter. :thumbup:

 

[Fiddleback]

I'm hoping to return to the "very heavily forested" regions of the planet in the not too-horribly-distant future, so that 18" model is starting to grab my eye.

Would you recommend that for those lucky few of us who already have an Andy Roy machete??

I think the 12" machete will do anything a Nessmuk hatchet will do and more in a package as light or lighter. You could easily make shelter, cut browse, and deal with game joints. But you could also baton and dig. And if it had a scandi at your fist, you could notch, and since it has a point you can drill. Also, if its stuck in a log, the other bit isn't going to bite your butt if you forget where it is...

Sounds like a worthy proposal, good sir! PM me with details of said matter. :thumbup:

Done.

 

[mcjhrobinson]

hrmmm i guess im the only one who digs the 18".....and no im not compensating!

12 looks dope too!

 

[HikingMano]

These look like they'll be awesome. The 12" and 18" catch my eye in particular :thumbup:.

 

[valcas1]

Wow Andy! Those look great. I will be watching to see when they will be available. I really like the look of the 12" and 14" I think it is going to be tough to chose between the two. Congrats on all your new projects and the growth of Fiddleback Forge.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'm diggin' the 18" myself. The 14" looks nifty as a mega-compact machete, but 18" is plenty packable and that design looks like it packs plenty of punch. The extra breadth of the contours give it a nicely weight-forward look to it yet it keeps much of the general utility of the classic Latin pattern while minimizing its shortcomings.

I like the broad nosed blade on the 14" because the extra mass combined with the negative relief angle of the handle compensate somewhat for its low mass/short length, and yet you still have a usable point. If my gut feeling is right it should chop outside of its weight class.

hrmmm i guess im the only one who digs the 18".....and no im not compensating!

12 looks dope too!

Nope! You're not the only one.