Looking for a machete

This thread needs more pictures.

Custom Colima
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Incolma makes all sorts of great stuff. If only someone (Ben) would import some. ;)


http://www.invermec.com/en/export-catalogue.html#/4/
 
Hahaha--I don't do direct import at this time, but maybe someday. :)
 
AntDog said:
Wow - check out that crazy handle! Very cool man.
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Thanks. IIRC the black in that one is a heavy box-weave and the green is funky 200 threat count cotton sheets wrapped over the tang in alternating layers and compressed into a billet before machining out the grip shape in-situ.
The "pins" are sections of all-thread with a nut on either side of the tang.

It is functionally indestructible, even tougher than a poly handle or micarta scales.

NbDGyPX.jpg


I did this'un for one of the other Mods at THR.

pAx8hBX.jpg


aAIgqSS.jpg
 
So what would you recommend for the woods of Indiana.

We have quite a bit of thorn bushes and saplings that clog the way. I would prefer something longer than 18 inches as I would prefer to stay further away from the thorns. The little buggers can tear your arms up. The largest I would be cutting would be saplings and branches in the 1 to 3 inch diameter range.

I have an 18 inch Tramontina, but am looking for something longer. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Damon
 
Sam Cade said:
Thanks. IIRC the black in that one is a heavy box-weave and the green is funky 200 threat count cotton sheets wrapped over the tang in alternating layers and compressed into a billet before machining out the grip shape in-situ.
The "pins" are sections of all-thread with a nut on either side of the tang.

It is functionally indestructible, even tougher than a poly handle or micarta scales.

NbDGyPX.jpg


I did this'un for one of the other Mods at THR.

pAx8hBX.jpg


aAIgqSS.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow! I am even more intrigued now. I bet that handle really IS functionally indestructible. It sounds like they go to a lot of trouble just to construct and contour the handles. Just beautiful man.
 
Dmuzzy said:
So what would you recommend for the woods of Indiana.

We have quite a bit of thorn bushes and saplings that clog the way. I would prefer something longer than 18 inches as I would prefer to stay further away from the thorns. The little buggers can tear your arms up. The largest I would be cutting would be saplings and branches in the 1 to 3 inch diameter range.

I have an 18 inch Tramontina, but am looking for something longer. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

Damon
Click to expand...

A *light* Latin pattern in the 20"+ range, a guarizama, or other similar pattern. If mostly dealing with brambles you'll be looking for a light, long blade with distal taper and the ability to get up to speed quickly. You'll still need at least some degree of forward mass for taking out the saplings, so you wouldn't want to go as light as a sable pattern.
 
Sam Cade said:
Thanks. IIRC the black in that one is a heavy box-weave and the green is funky 200 threat count cotton sheets wrapped over the tang in alternating layers and compressed into a billet before machining out the grip shape in-situ.
The "pins" are sections of all-thread with a nut on either side of the tang.
Click to expand...

No idea what you just said but cool handles, man.
 
EChoil said:
No idea what you just said but cool handles, man.
Click to expand...

Basically, I think he's saying it's hand made phenolic material. Built up in layers into a billet, then machined while actually on the machete. The pins are basically a never ending screw they put through the handle with nuts on each side, then they chop off the never ending screw on both sides (outside of the nuts) and contour the entire handle with some type of sander.

If I'm way off base here Sam, correct me, but that's what I gathered. And yes, definitely very cool!
 
AntDog said:
Basically, I think he's saying it's hand made phenolic material. Built up in layers into a billet, then machined while actually on the machete. The pins are basically a never ending screw they put through the handle with nuts on each side, then they chop off the never ending screw on both sides (outside of the nuts) and contour the entire handle with some type of sander.
Click to expand...

That is pretty much correct, the "They" in this instance being myself.

Believe it or not, It doesn't take any longer to do a handle like that pinning on scales does. Messier though.

For a really hard use knife (and nothing gets used harder than a working machete) a composite wrap like this is just about the best possible grip configuration.

So what would you recommend for the woods of Indiana.
Click to expand...


Purchase a (sub $20) "latin" machete with a blade from 18"-24" from a central or south american manufacturer and become proficient in its use.
Learn to use a hook in your off hand to manage and move the vegetation you are working with. Then decide if you need something more specialized.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlNSRQtm8eM
 
Sam Cade said:
That is pretty much correct, the "They" in this instance being myself.

Believe it or not, It doesn't take any longer to do a handle like that pinning on scales does. Messier though.

For a really hard use knife (and nothing gets used harder than a working machete) a composite wrap like this is just about the best possible grip configuration.




Purchase a (sub $20) "latin" machete with a blade from 18"-24" from a central or south american manufacturer and become proficient in its use.
Learn to use a hook in your off hand to manage and move the vegetation you are working with. Then decide if you need something more specialized.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlNSRQtm8eM
Click to expand...

Wow, so YOU made the handle? I thought you had bought it from the factory that way!
 
Sam Cade said:
Yep. I've made a couple dozen.
Click to expand...

Wow, neat looking handles - my "custom" handles have only been flat pieces of wood held on by stove bolts and carved to shape with pocketknife and wood rasp.
Even though my handles have never been so exotic, I do have a special, secret formula for the flat black patina that develops on a village bush knife after a few months or years of constant use. I won't reveal the exact formulation (I am applying for a patent and am seeking investment partners) but I will state that salt water, pig blood and breadfruit sap are part of the process.
Hey, if Colonel Sanders and Coca Cola can have secret recipes - why not Faiaoga Bush Knife Finish?:D
 
I'm currently looking for a machete too and could use some advise.
I've been eyeballing something like the Bidor Malaysian Parang. I really like the shape of them, but heard some complaints about the (insecure) handle. The Condor Eco Parang Machete and Bushcraft Parang Machete come close to that design. But something from Tramontina or Imcasa might be just as good or better suited.

Intended use: bushcraft.
I'm used to a 4 inch blade, an axe (Gränsfors Bruk small forest axe and hatchet) and a saw (Bahco laplander), but want to get experience with a machete for bushcraft tasks too. So cutting (hazel) saplings, cutting firewood and making kindling, feather sticks, carving tools, building shelters, skinning (small) game. etc. Further more it should fit in my backpack, so weight is important.
No need to clear a path in the jungle or cut the grass.
Area of use: Netherlands (forest of course), but also Germany, France, Scandinavia, Scotland.

Looking forward to your input
 
crafty said:
I've been eyeballing something like the Bidor Malaysian Parang. I really like the shape of them, but heard some complaints about the (insecure) handle. The Condor Eco Parang Machete and Bushcraft Parang Machete come close to that design. But something from Tramontina or Imcasa might be just as good or better suited.
Click to expand...

The Bidor handle isn't coming off. Even after driving out the pin I couldn't beat it off of the tang with a hammer and had to use a bandsaw to remove it.

IQwTOeJ.jpg


The Bidor parang is forged from thick stock and has a strong distal taper. It isn't anything like a stamped blade machete.
Ttpuj99.jpg


Parangs are usually optimized choppers for hard or woody materials using a very snappy sort of technique. You can use them for any sort of task of course, but they are going to be more awkward than a shortish machete for anything besides chopping.
 
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crafty said:
I'm currently looking for a machete too and could use some advise.
I've been eyeballing something like the Bidor Malaysian Parang. I really like the shape of them, but heard some complaints about the (insecure) handle. The Condor Eco Parang Machete and Bushcraft Parang Machete come close to that design. But something from Tramontina or Imcasa might be just as good or better suited.

Intended use: bushcraft.
I'm used to a 4 inch blade, an axe (Gränsfors Bruk small forest axe and hatchet) and a saw (Bahco laplander), but want to get experience with a machete for bushcraft tasks too. So cutting (hazel) saplings, cutting firewood and making kindling, feather sticks, carving tools, building shelters, skinning (small) game. etc. Further more it should fit in my backpack, so weight is important.
No need to clear a path in the jungle or cut the grass.
Area of use: Netherlands (forest of course), but also Germany, France, Scandinavia, Scotland.

Looking forward to your input
Click to expand...

The Bushcraft Parang sounds like a good choice there.
 
@Sam Cade, sweet handle! Are you suggesting that a shortish machete should be more appropriate here than a (bidor) parang?
@FortyTwoBlades, tnx. You think the bushcraft is more appropriate than the new eco parang?

maybe i need to get both, a Condor parang and a short Imcasa or Tramontina, and see which one performs best :)
 
I know you're looking for packability but I personally wouldn't give up an inch of length I didn't have to, hence the suggestion for the Bushcraft Parang vs. the Eco. If you really want to shave ounces as well as inches then sure the Eco would be fine, but the Bushcraft would be a better all around performer I feel. It's already short enough that it's easy to carry and works well in tight areas, so any further sacrifice in length is more for space/weight savings.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I know you're looking for packability but I personally wouldn't give up an inch of length I didn't have to, hence the suggestion for the Bushcraft Parang vs. the Eco. If you really want to shave ounces as well as inches then sure the Eco would be fine, but the Bushcraft would be a better all around performer I feel. It's already short enough that it's easy to carry and works well in tight areas, so any further sacrifice in length is more for space/weight savings.
Click to expand...

Tnx! I do see the advantage of the extra length. With respect to weight I was more concerned regarding fatigue during use. In some reviews on the bushcraft parang I read that it was to heavy, and therefore tiring, to work with it for longer times. Good for chopping, but tiring, and not very good for more delicate use, such as carving. In the backpack the little extra weight won't make much of a difference. I'm happy to hear your point of view on this.
 
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