Machete Maintenance

M

Michaelbikel

Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Messages
15
Note: This is my first post in blade forums so I apologize if this is not the proper area for this post, I couldn't quite find a machete section...

A few years back I purchased my first edged tool, a Martindale machete & sheath on eBay. I got some really great use out of it after I (successfully?) sharpened it with a file. At the time I remember watching a few videos and learned that similar to axes it is common for a machete to have a convex edge for chopping. I guess that wasn't enough for me, prior to fixing the handle I decided to ruin the beautiful patina on the blade when I put it to the belt grinder. After learning the absolutely worst way to clean it up and learning that I have no patience, I have decided to purchase another machete. This time I hope to get it right.

I guess what I am wondering is how you guys would
#1 properly sharpen a machete
#2 clean the rest of it (if at all)
#3 preserve it

Since I am in the market for another I was also wondering what is a FAIR price for the same model/condition like my Martindale.

DSC05070 by MichaelBikel, on Flickr

DSC05040 by MichaelBikel, on Flickr

DSC05052 by MichaelBikel, on Flickr

DSC05053 by MichaelBikel, on Flickr
 
I believe you got to be a paying member to get pricing or worth of something assesed and it reminds me of a ontario military issue machete
 
I guess what I am wondering is how you guys would
#1 properly sharpen a machete
#2 clean the rest of it (if at all)
#3 preserve it


Minus the sheath you can get a machete for under $20.

Sharpen with a file, follow up with a stone or wet/dry sandpaper, wipe it dry after each use. Maybe a bit of mineral oil worked into the handle slabs if they are hardwood of some sort. I've also been known to rub the slabs with some grease stick type honing compound.

Here's one I recently worked on. Photobucket is down for maintenance at the time of this response, pics should show up at some point...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-Thread-What-was-your-project-today/page5#98
 
Goose 7279 said:
I believe you got to be a paying member to get pricing or worth of something assesed and it reminds me of a ontario military issue machete
Click to expand...

Seems kind of silly that I would need to be a paying member to get it assessed. I mean I could go on garage journal which I am not a paying member and get anything assessed. Not trying to ruffle feathers, just kind of curious as to why this is.
 
Minus the sheath you can get a machete for under $20.

Sharpen with a file, follow up with a stone or wet/dry sandpaper, wipe it dry after each use. Maybe a bit of mineral oil worked into the handle slabs if they are hardwood of some sort. I've also been known to rub the slabs with some grease stick type honing compound.

Here's one I recently worked on. Photobucket is down for maintenance at the time of this response, pics should show up at some point...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...t-Thread-What-was-your-project-today/page5#98[/QUOTE]

At $20 I assume you are attending a flea market or tag sale of sorts? I am really just looking for the same martindale (1943-45) to replace the one that I have now, which on eBay is not cheap. The two listed on there right now are at about $65 plus another 10-15 for shipping. If I recall correctly when I got mine it was $40 maybe I paid shipping maybe not, can't remember. And the chances of finding one at a tag sale around my area are slim to none considering I hit every tag sale and dumpster in this vicinity (for about 10 years now) and I have yet to come across a machete.

I'll check those photos out when they're up, thanks for the help!
 
5:19 onward.

[video=youtube;447dYMTiQUo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=447dYMTiQUo[/video]
 
Michaelbikel said:
Seems kind of silly that I would need to be a paying member to get it assessed. I mean I could go on garage journal which I am not a paying member and get anything assessed. Not trying to ruffle feathers, just kind of curious as to why this is.
Click to expand...

It may seem silly to you, but the rules are the rules. It may save you some future heartache by reading them, as you've bent or broken more than a few in your short time here.
 
It's a machete. You don't need flawless guided accuracy. Just practice. :)

[video=youtube;cM0NfywWoeU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM0NfywWoeU[/video]
 
Michaelbikel said:
FortyTwoBlades said:
5:19 onward.


Thanks for sharing! That's how I originally got a nice edge on mine but I was wondering if there is a more accurate way to go about it. Here is an example of what I mean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH5QCROvn28
Can you put a micro bevel on a machete?
Click to expand...

That's a lot of precision for a chopper. I prefer a hand done slight convex anyway. A file and you can apply honing compound to a smooth piece of wood for a little added polish. I have a small 6" file I sometimes keep with my machete that has a 3/4" dowel for a handle, I apply the compound right to the handle and strop on that.

Unless you're in a competition of some sort it doesn't pay to lavish too much attention. A sharper edge is better, but precise geometry not needed and honing compound can be applied to all sorts of materials you might find when out and about.

If using a sharpening puck, the mud/released grit on the stone can be smeared on something and used just like a honing compound.
Click to expand...
 
The most important thing is just to be in the right angle range (about 15° per side is usually the sweet spot for general duty) and making sure that you've brought the edge to a proper burr- and wire-free apex. If you're able to bring it to a high grit without spending much time on it, do that as well, as most machete work (even on lush vegetation) is mostly making use of a push-cutting action and a coarser grit edge will be more prone to collapse under such use. But as far as guided precision...just work on developing your own ability to hold a good angle. A lot of the time machete sharpening is done in the field where you won't have such contraptions available to you.
 
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