Gerber BG Parang specifics from Gerber...low Rc?

J

J.Davey

Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
1,620
So, I sent an e-mail to Gerber today to find out a few specifics about the Gerber BG Parang Machete. I asked about blade steel, thickness, and Rockwell hardness. This is what I found out.

"1. Blade steel - 1055 carbon steel
2. Blade thickness - 1/8"
3. Rockwell hardness of the blade - 46 to 48"

That blade hardness worries me a bit. Yeah, it will be tough. But, will it hold any kind of edge? I really LOVE the design of this machete, but I don't want some useless garbage, and I could care less about Bear Grylls.
 
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J.Davey said:
So, I sent an e-mail to Gerber today to find out a few specifics about the Gerber BG Parang Machete. I asked about blade steel, thickness, and Rockwell hardness. This is what I found out.

"1. Blade steel - 1055 carbon steel
2. Blade thickness - 1/8"
3. Rockwell hardness of the blade - 46 to 48"

That blade hardness worries me a bit. Yeah, it will be tough. But, will it hold any kind of edge? I really LOVE the design of this machete, but I don't want some useless garbage, and I could care less about Bear Grylls.
Click to expand...

There's some interesting Rockwell hardness stuff here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=272205

I too like the shape of the blade. I hope it's a user and not junk.


TwinStick said:
If it is anything like thier survival knife, don't hold your breath.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=790424
Click to expand...

In the SHOT 2011 interview with equip2endure, the Gerber rep claimed they fixed that pommel problem in the new BG knife production.
 
After a wee bit of research, I found out the Woodsman's Pal is tempered to an Rc of 47, and tons of people love that tool and swear by it. Maybe I'm just being anal-retentive about blade hardness. Maybe we all are, in general. I guess that's why we're 'knife knuts':)!
 
VA27 said:
That rubber handle looks like a blister-maker to me.
Click to expand...

I was thinking something similar.

Grylls_14_0.jpg


Would the handle come off with relative ease if those two connection points were removed? A wood handle on that would be better.

What's the thickness again on that? 2mm? Distal taper?
 
I doubt there's distal taper--we ARE talking Gerber here after all. As far as it being a blister machine...there's only one way to find out. Lots of folks loved the Chinese-made Cold Steel machetes (I have the 18" barong myself) and while they have a rubbery handle they don't cause blisters.

I'm going to guess that the blade will come out if you remove the screws, but there may be some tapping with a rubber mallet involved.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I doubt there's distal taper--we ARE talking Gerber here after all. As far as it being a blister machine...there's only one way to find out. Lots of folks loved the Chinese-made Cold Steel machetes (I have the 18" barong myself) and while they have a rubbery handle they don't cause blisters.
Click to expand...

Definitely no taper.

I agree about the CS machetes, too. I have a spear point one myself, and I love it. Never had any problems with blistering at all. Maybe people just need to develop some callouses and quit being sissies!;)
 
[QUOTEIn the SHOT 2011 interview with equip2endure, the Gerber rep claimed they fixed that pommel problem in the new BG knife production.[/QUOTE]


Only way to really fix the problem is with a full width tang where end cap was part of it---not just tacked on, right ?
 
TwinStick said:
[QUOTEIn the SHOT 2011 interview with equip2endure, the Gerber rep claimed they fixed that pommel problem in the new BG knife production.
Click to expand...



Only way to really fix the problem is with a full width tang where end cap was part of it---not just tacked on, right ?[/QUOTE]
Or they could just fill the hollow handle with epoxy. ;)
(Not saying that they did that)
 
Well, a large online knife dealer apparently has these in stock now. I wish my damn refund money would go through so I'd have some disposable funds.
 
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