Get a Grip ! (on your machete)

[Guyon]

I have a Tramontina 18" machete with the plastic handle. After receiving it, I wished I had gotten the wooden handle because the plastic is hard and slippery even though it has some molded checkering.

Today, I was rummaging through some camping stuff and came across a large piece of heat shrink tubing--just the right size for the handle.

I slid it on, and after a few minutes with a Bic lighter, it was shrink fitted to the handle. Much better than the hard plastic, and I made the grip even better by lightly roughing the tubing up with some 600 grit sandpaper.

Now I've got a grip!

 

[Jeff Clark]

In years gone by I have found cloth tape to be useful. Medical tape is an improvement, electrical friction tape grabs your hand, but tennis racket grip tape is just right.

 

[Ravenn]

I have a several years old wood handle model..try hockey stick tape..

 

[Fred A]

Ever string wrap a handle?

 

[bob bowie]

Originally posted by Fred A
Ever string wrap a handle?

I have, and it worked really well, just gets grungy with age. The best wrapped handle I've handled was an antique with a thin wire wrapping.

I've used rubber bands also, they worked well, and conformed to your grip quite nicey.

I personally favor friction tape/skate board tape, some people hate the abrasiveness of the stuff, but I find it super.

 

[stich]

I'll second the non-padded tennis raquet tape. Works for me on several 'big knife' handles.

 

[JJW]

I'm with Fred A, I like whiping my handles with mason line. Yes after a while it gets grungy, but its easaly replacable. And as a "last ditch" I can always unwhip the handle for more cordage.