Machete: My favorite now, 21"

I plan on building my own, but it's difficult to decide which steel to use ; )

I only know I'm not going to use the common 1070 or 1075, I'm leaning towards 80crv2 (but then just getting a skrama achieves that)...
so I've been thinking about m2 or l6 & other more obscure types
 
Just remember how a machete is used and the kinds of damage that often happens to a machete blade. Joe Flowers put on a little machete presentation at Blade. He mentioned steel hardness that is used and why. He mentioned in South America he observed folks repairing their dinged machete edges with a hammer. That never occurred to me.
 
This has been a very informational thread, you guys are teaching an old dog new tricks. Please forgive my ignorance, but, are machetes sharpened on both edges? I have a place along a ditch that could use an hour of one of those blades every so often during the growing season.
 
22-rimfire said:
Just remember how a machete is used and the kinds of damage that often happens to a machete blade. Joe Flowers put on a little machete presentation at Blade. He mentioned steel hardness that is used and why. He mentioned in South America he observed folks repairing their dinged machete edges with a hammer. That never occurred to me.
Click to expand...

Yup. In the rare cases that I've struck rocks accidentally I just hammer it out straight again before grinding or filing an edge back on the affected region. The metal still has a good deal of ductility at that hardness range so a little cold work doesn't risk cracking it unless you really go overboard.
 
Hairy Clipper said:
This has been a very informational thread, you guys are teaching an old dog new tricks. Please forgive my ignorance, but, are machetes sharpened on both edges? I have a place along a ditch that could use an hour of one of those blades every so often during the growing season.
Click to expand...

Do you mean double-beveled, or double-edged? Most machetes are double-beveled. Only some are double edged as a standard feature, but a partial back edge can be pretty easily added to most machetes and I find it a useful feature.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Do you mean double-beveled, or double-edged? Most machetes are double-beveled. Only some are double edged as a standard feature, but a partial back edge can be pretty easily added to most machetes and I find it a useful feature.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the confusing question. I need to study my terminology more. I think what I am wondering is answered here, "Only some are double edged as a standard feature, but a partial back edge can be pretty easily added to most machetes and I find it a useful feature." Thank You!
 
Hairy Clipper said:
Sorry for the confusing question. I need to study my terminology more. I think what I am wondering is answered here, "Only some are double edged as a standard feature, but a partial back edge can be pretty easily added to most machetes and I find it a useful feature." Thank You!
Click to expand...

:
Colima Machetes
Colima Machetes are sharpened on both sides of the blade to allow for a sweeping cut motion on both the fore and backhand strokes.

 
Yup! Colimas are awesome. Some bolo patterns have a round nose on them with an edge that wraps around to the hump on the spine, too, and can be used for tasks like chopping at roots to spare the main edge.
 
22-rimfire said:
Just remember how a machete is used and the kinds of damage that often happens to a machete blade. Joe Flowers put on a little machete presentation at Blade. He mentioned steel hardness that is used and why. He mentioned in South America he observed folks repairing their dinged machete edges with a hammer. That never occurred to me.
Click to expand...

I wish we could get a transcript or video of that presentation... is it possible?
I know most machetes made in latin & south America tend to be run at around 50-52 hrc - which makes using a hammer to fix dings a breeze
some use 1070, or 1055, or 1075 but that's about it

I think it should be possible to get similar results up around 55-56 hrc if optimized

blade shape is another factor, I'm drawn to the bolo style more as time goes on for the weight distribution
 
The 16” Imacasa bolo I have been using this week has the sharpened nose and back edge. I have not yet had occasion to use that feature, but it is otherwise very light and nimble, with a grip that suits me well.

Speaking of double-edgad machetes, Mr. Blades is being too modest in not mentioning his Baryonyx machete, with the brush hook on its sharpened back edge. I have found that one to be very useful, adding quite a bit to the knife’s versatility.
 
JD Miller said:
:
Colima Machetes
Colima Machetes are sharpened on both sides of the blade to allow for a sweeping cut motion on both the fore and backhand strokes.

Click to expand...
Thank you for the video, it answered many questions. I have a small section of drainage ditch that used to have cattails in it, but, as time has passed and now 20 years later they have given way to phalaris grass which is rather densely populated and quite tough. I have used a gas and electric string trimmer with varying success depending on what part of the growing season is. Early in the season the string trimmers work OK, later as the stems toughen up it becomes the wrong tool for the task at hand. I have thought about trying to find a scythe at a local garage sale or auction. Although when using one at my grandparents farm 55 years ago in my misspent youth I don't remember using it in late season phalaris. I remember seeing old black and white movies years ago of jungle exploration and Tarzan and seeing a machete cutting thick heavy vine and knowing it was Hollywood's version of things I had harbored some doubts about it's ability to cut through old possibly dried out vines. Well, the fellow in the video showed me how it is done! I am thinking I am very glad I have been following this thread, now I just need to figure out length and blade style and ... .

Is there a formula for figuring out how long a blade a 6'2" guy should use?
 
The Joe Flowers presentation was sort of impromptu at Blade on Friday afternoon. It was video taped. It was raining and it was supposed to be held out near the parking lot and Joe shifted to under the roof. Lasted about 30 minutes. He talked about the various shapes used and other topics versus some sort of cutting demonstration like James Williams does with swords. He touched on the machete versus knife distinction also as with the shorter machetes now, the difference is not obvious. It is primarily how the machete is designed, used and held that defines the difference.

I asked what he thought of the Baryonyx machete and he said "It's a beast!" Thought that was a apt answer. Long machetes are normal for folks in the jungles versus the popularity of 16 and 18" ones here in the states. But the use is different and folks are generally more affluent in the States and have multiple machetes that they might use.
 
Hairy Clipper said:
Sorry for the confusing question. I need to study my terminology more. I think what I am wondering is answered here, "Only some are double edged as a standard feature, but a partial back edge can be pretty easily added to most machetes and I find it a useful feature." Thank You!
Click to expand...
The simple answer is a machete edge is sharpened just like your typical knife (both sides). If you are getting a machete, think about length a bit.... the 20"+ machetes can be a little dangerous for those not used to swinging a machete. I generally prefer the 18" length.

The back edge (top) is factory sharpened on my Condor Swampmaster (16") around the curved end and I find it very useful.
 
Dumb question maybe but when did "Colima' become a pattern of machete rather than a Guatemalan brand? I think Joe Flowers told Imacasa bought them out but I have several pretty standard Latin pattern machetes branded Colima I bought in Guatemala several years aog.
 
Last edited:
Hairy Clipper said:
Thank you for the video, it answered many questions. I have a small section of drainage ditch that used to have cattails in it, but, as time has passed and now 20 years later they have given way to phalaris grass which is rather densely populated and quite tough. I have used a gas and electric string trimmer with varying success depending on what part of the growing season is. Early in the season the string trimmers work OK, later as the stems toughen up it becomes the wrong tool for the task at hand. I have thought about trying to find a scythe at a local garage sale or auction. Although when using one at my grandparents farm 55 years ago in my misspent youth I don't remember using it in late season phalaris. I remember seeing old black and white movies years ago of jungle exploration and Tarzan and seeing a machete cutting thick heavy vine and knowing it was Hollywood's version of things I had harbored some doubts about it's ability to cut through old possibly dried out vines. Well, the fellow in the video showed me how it is done! I am thinking I am very glad I have been following this thread, now I just need to figure out length and blade style and ... .

Is there a formula for figuring out how long a blade a 6'2" guy should use?
Click to expand...

A scythe would work well, but you'd have some work cut out for you restoring one from as-found condition. You might also consider a slasher, ditch bank blade, or bush hook.
 
Hairy Clipper said:
Is there a formula for figuring out how long a blade a 6'2" guy should use?
Click to expand...

Depending what you wanna do, cut trail and dont want to bend over using a 18" that is too short. I got a 26" Imacasa cuche and used it, worked good , but stresses your shoulder swinging it several days in a row. Then I used a 20" and like that length cause its easier to swing but ya got to bend over some.

I think a light weight 22" would be a good choice. Im 6'1" and my 21" inch is nice size. I have a 22" Imacsa Barrigon and the 24" Hansa I ordered on its way in the brown truck to try out
 
There is a lot of personal preference involved in choice of machete length. I think that a person will have to do some bending down regardless of the length, especially if you are trying to cut close to ground level. Longer machetes are generally chosen for more flexible vegetation as you keep the material you're cutting further away from your arms and body. An electric hedge trimmer might work pretty well on that ditch by the way..... The biggest thing for me other than length is handle construction for my delicate paws. ;) Wear gloves regardless.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
A scythe would work well, but you'd have some work cut out for you restoring one from as-found condition. You might also consider a slasher, ditch bank blade, or bush hook.
Click to expand...

I may have had a stroke of good luck this morning. I just came in from mowing the lawn to rehydrate and grease my gizzard and while doing so I checked my email and there is an email from a local area online auction house about a dozen miles away. Having scrolled through the items that close today I found two lots for sale that have two scythes and in each lot one of the scythes looks like a near new blade and the other older with the usual rust accumulation. Each lot says the wood is in good condition! The wood is usually either dry and badly cracked with slivers in hands likely or falling apart on the ends. After I finish the mowing I am going to the auction house for a little pre-bid inspection. Two lots and no bid yet on one of the lots ... do you feel lucky punk? well, do ya? I think feeling lucky may be an afterthought rather than a premonition of outcome of future events.

I must confess, I have never heard of a ditch bank blade, although I may have seen one and did not know what it was called, or a slasher. I have used a bush hook in my youth.

This thread is an excellent example of continuing education! Old dogs, new tricks!
 
JD Miller said:
Depending what you wanna do, cut trail and dont want to bend over using a 18" that is too short. I got a 26" Imacasa cuche and used it, worked good , but stresses your shoulder swinging it several days in a row. Then I used a 20" and like that length cause its easier to swing but ya got to bend over some.

I think a light weight 22" would be a good choice. Im 6'1" and my 21" inch is nice size. I have a 22" Imacsa Barrigon and the 24" Hansa I ordered on its way in the brown truck to try out
Click to expand...

My initial project is to clear the ditch. There are two areas that are about equal size that I would guess to be 15' X 45'. Once that is done I have some grass and brush I need to clear away so I can cut down a few dead spruce trees along my south property line. I may replant with lilacs afterwards. I can see now I have not been giving the machete enough credit over the years. I think I am going to keep my machete search to 22"-24".
 
Last edited:
22-rimfire said:
There is a lot of personal preference involved in choice of machete length. I think that a person will have to do some bending down regardless of the length, especially if you are trying to cut close to ground level. Longer machetes are generally chosen for more flexible vegetation as you keep the material you're cutting further away from your arms and body. An electric hedge trimmer might work pretty well on that ditch by the way..... The biggest thing forgets tall and wAVES me other than length is handle construction for my delicate paws. ;) Wear gloves regardless.
Click to expand...

I have never used a hedge trimmer, but, that is a good idea. After cutting hair for a living I can't say I have an abundance of toughened in hands any more and leather gloves are always nearby. The phalaris grass gets tall and waves in the slightest breeze. Believe it or not when I was 14 years old I worked for an old fellow that had designed and built a phalaris grass seed harvesting combine like machine and he would dump the seed heads on a large canvas and three of us kids he hired would flail away on those seed heads and bag the stuff. At the time I had no idea that people were buying phalaris grass seed, but,the old guy had all the seed he could harvest sold ever year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top