Machete cutting performance questions

[peripatew]

So I've found an old boat landing that seems to have been abandoned several years back. There are obviously a handful of people who still frequent it as there are lots of trails. Basically the river changed its path and is maybe a few hundred yards through some brush and hills.

I took my 18" Ontario out with me to clean the path so my wife and son could join me in searching for the river's edge. I really didn't need to do that much clearing, a few fallen trees where the top branches where covering the trail, lots of thorny vines and branches, and some really thick grass that was chest high.

I was really impressed at how it chopped through the branches with one light swing. However, it wouldn't cut through thinner stuff very easily at all. I was wanting to clear the grass out of the way, but I ended up having to get a big log and just roll it over the grass to make it passable for wife and child.

What would make it a better grass and thin brush cutter?

L!

 

[baldtaco-II]

Belt grinder.

EDIT:

This is from Horn Dog's thread -

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=572045

 

[peripatew]

Well, I've got one of those. But should I bring the grind up higher for a thinner edge? Or just put a fresh wicked edge on it?

 

[ilbruche]

A good edge on that machete will do it. I can put a similar machete right next to grasses and sever them with a quick flick of the wrist.

 

[siguy]

that's interesting that you can chop wood well but not slash grasses well...

i can usually hack at grasses somewhat effectively even with a machete straight from the store (without the bevels meeting to form an edge)...but it won't chop anything.

i would say put a fresh edge on it and try again. you might try leaving the edge at a lower grit and use a bit of a draw to your stroke when you slash.

 

[peripatew]

Thanks for the advice.

It was chopping 1-2" limbs with once quick swipe very well. But it would only push the grass around.

I'll put a new edge on it and see how that helps. What grit finish? 220?

 

[baldtaco-II]

I don't have an Ontario so ilbruche should know better than I. That said, if I wanted it for grassy veggy stuff I'd probably sacrifice chopping toughness and grind back high and thin.

 

[Horn Dog]

Get a thinner lighter cheaper machete and sharpen it. The thin Tramontina 18" works well on grasses because you can swing it faster. Six bucks + shipping.