gauging interest in...

tan...that sounds like it might be good.

i was also thinking something bright blue...i saw a northstar i think it was that a member posted here in one of the show-off-your-knife threads that had a really nice looking bright blue micarta handle...
 
On my cheap-ass Wal-Mart machete I stretched and forced a set of old Hogue 1911 rubberized grips on it. Made it much nicer of absorbing impact. Cut down on blisters and such too...Just a thought...
 
deckard, i suppose its possible, but i wouldn't want to do that without a forge. it would take a loooong time to grind bevels into something as thick as a real kukri with my grinder, or any grinder i think. if i did a kukri style blade out of thinner stock, like a cold steel kukri, i might try it, that would be a little more reasonable.

thanks.
 
finished grinding the convex one to an 80 grit finish and buffed off the wire edge, and took it out back for a little testing. it handled well, but was hard to control because of a lack of a handle. after the testing i was unable to detect any change in sharpness.

i started small, chopped a stick maybe 1" diameter in to a few pieces, split one of them, then made some fuzzies:
DSCN6635.jpg


then stepped up to something bigger, about a 4" maple log that has been seasoning for a few months. this was the hard part without a handle, hard to control the angle of the blade. but considering this, it handled well and it chopped well:
DSCN6636.jpg


i swung it through some fibrous brush to see how it acted as a traditional machete...didn't cut a very wide swath as i expected, but it sliced well through the brush.

after some more misc chopping on small limbs and brush, i took it and made some more fuzzies:
DSCN6640.jpg


i'm very happy with the job that Paul Bos did with the heat treat, this thing behaves like a champ. the prices were good, prompt return shipping, and as far as i can tell, he did a terrific job taking it to just the right hardness.

just thought i would share. i'll be finishing the other one this week and hopefully getting some handles onto these before i go out of town on the 19th.
 
Looks great siguy! I too would prefer a Micarta handle (tan/natural would be excellent). Thanks for the update!

ROCK6
 
thanks everyone, i am pretty happy with the way these are turning out. i was thinking about doing one with some nice burly wood, but none of mine is big enough...these are pretty roomy handles. i am planning on getting some micarta for these...

wulf; if there is a good amount of interested i think i will keep doing these, and will play with some different variations.
 
Siguy,
Those are looking really good. Would you be willing to share with me where you were able to locate the S7 steel for them. I have a projsect that i think might be just right for a little S7 and Paul Bos heat treat. Thanks in advance.

Paul
 
Very nice job... wondering how I missed this thread way back....
Looking forward to seeing the finished product!
 
valcas, i got the steel from nick wheeler, his "real job" is working in some sort of metal supply house i think, and the business just started carrying some tool steels. i will email you his info
 
Simon,

Great job my friend. Keep up the good work and make sure to bring them with you to the gatherings we are hosting here so everyone can sample your work. You're off to a great start from what I see!
 
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