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Ka-Bar Grass Machete Impressions
- Thread starter Guyon
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- Mar 15, 2000
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Not yet. Could you squirt some epoxy down in the handle and take up that space that's giving you some play?
I just received my Grass Machete and I do like the overall quality and design. I have not used it yet because there is already a slight wiggle where the blade meets the handle. I intend on exchanging it for another as this looseness will get worse. I am a bit surprised that this machete was not designed as a full tang. My question is, has any one here re-handled this machete and if so, do you have pictures or a description of the tang shape and size?
It is the same as the tang that is on the Cutlass Machete, and all of the other blades with the "toooj" handle.
Here is what it looks like de-handled.
From the thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-a-Warthog-or-quot-Hey-Wanna-See-My-Tang-quot
There was an issue with some of the first handles of this design that made them slightly loose from the get go. It shouldn't loosen on you from what I understand (aka, the handle shouldn't fall off), but if you want to send it back, I'm sure they'll take care of you.
Here is what it looks like de-handled.
From the thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-a-Warthog-or-quot-Hey-Wanna-See-My-Tang-quot
There was an issue with some of the first handles of this design that made them slightly loose from the get go. It shouldn't loosen on you from what I understand (aka, the handle shouldn't fall off), but if you want to send it back, I'm sure they'll take care of you.
I send my loose handle Grass Machete back for refund. I read all the suggestions on gluing the handle, but this just seems all wrong to me. I really wanted to like it more; in fact I really like this knife except for the ridiculous pop-sickle stick tang! Why did Ka-Bar design such a great knife series without a full tang? Becker’s are full tang, which I proudly own several. I know I am in the minority here, but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
There is a whole series of knives with the same handle and I haven't heard of anyone breaking one at the tang. I'm told Toooj also designed the handle for the ontario SP line and those are tough knives. I would very much prefer a full tang but the knives are holding up and the loose handle issue has supposedly been addressed.
I have a heavy warthog and I just ordered a grass machete. If they break, Ka-Bar will take care of it.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2012
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Welcome to the KA-BAR forum, and Bladeforums, v5gg. Glad you stopped in.
The Biscuit is a little bit busy right now, trying to get over a nasty cold, so, lemme see if I can help.
The Grass Machete (GM) is .165 thick, not 1/8. Its stiffer than you would imagine it being, but the Rockewell is held a little lower, allowing the GM to be more flexible and not chip or roll.
The GM weighs 1lb 4.5oz on my scales. You have to keep in mind, the blade is longer, but there is less metal there. The Kuk a wide broad flat stock blade, where the GM has the baffled edges and a high grind.
Balance point pic, righ here.....
Is there anything else or any other questions you might have?
Moose
YES, Where!??
I like that much better than MY attempt at making the handle visible:
P.S. I never got a welcome
Last edited:
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- Mar 8, 2008
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The tapered stick tang is a good thing in a well-designed chopper. It helps shift the balance point forward for increased chopping ability without having to increase the weight of the blade. Keeps the overall tool lighter. Ever see what the tang on a sword looks like? People need to get over the "full tang" mania, in my opinion. For certain tasks it's appropriate but it's by no means a requirement for a tool to be extremely sturdy.