Machete Sharpening?

combatjiujitsu

combatjiujitsu

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
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Hey guys just picked up a new 14" Tramontina Machete was wondering how you guys are sharpening them. Does'nt have to be shaving sharp just useable
 
I just use a mill smooth file.

I saw them do it that way on our Costa Rica trip, so thats good enough for me.
 
Take a look at Colhane's machete modification videos on youtube.

[youtube]IsZb_1XfFHo[/youtube]
 
Just use a file.I've clamped mine in a vice or just stick the spine into a soft stump.A machete blade IMHO is way too soft to get too technical about sharpening.
 
R.H.Clark said:
Just use a file.I've clamped mine in a vice or just stick the spine into a soft stump.A machete blade IMHO is way too soft to get too technical about sharpening.
Click to expand...

yep... to touch it up i use a diamond rod (one of the cheaper ones) takes the burs and the nicks out
 
A small file all the way. Although I did sharpen it with a patio block one time. It was was a rough edge, but it work pretty good.
 
The Lansky Puck is cheap and I can maintain a good edge with mine. If you've got serious edge issues, you'll need a file.
 
Thanks for the post. I plan on picking up a Tramontina I saw at a shop last week. I plan on sharpening it with a Norton benchstone, coarse side.
 
Just finished putting an edge on the Tramontina. Cleaned up the factory edge with a small file then took some sandpaper and finished it out. Don't think I will put it on a stone for now don't need it shaving sharp. Also rounded the top of the blade some so it won't tear up my hands. Headed to Garden of the Gods all next week to try her out. Thanks guys for all the advice :D
 
I like a belt sander for doing machetes. In fact, since I do a fair amount of machete work on my property, I sought a faster way to sharpen them and the belt sander was the answer.
ProjectM004.jpg
 
I just put an edge on a 12 and 14 inch tram and the go-to tool was the lansky puck, finishing up with 1000 grit wet-and-dry. 7 dollars of axe and machete goodness.
 
would a scissors sharpener work? or one of those carbon sharpener drag through handles that you find at the hardware store or Wal mart work? I might not have access to a vice.
 
I just hold the machete by hand and with the other sharpen with a bastard file. I also use a cheap stone that came with one of my marbles machetes.
 
IMO edge geometry makes a big difference in performance. If you have access to a belt sander then that is by far the easiest way to go. You can do a good bit of the rough work of convexing the edge with a file, as shown in the video, then finish off with sandpaper over a mouse pad. That is the method I use.

You can get a working edge with just a mill file. In the field I use a diamond rod for touch ups daily but also carry a small mill file for edge damage.

In the short run a file sharp machete seems to be working just fine. If you switch to one that has been properly convexed you notice the difference. The same goes for a blade with a full convex. You can can do all sorts of close detailed cutting with a sharp convex at the base of the blade. If you switch to a blade with a sharp scandi at the base your work gets easier. It's not a huge difference but enough to make a difference IMO and that's why I take the time to do this to machete's I'm going to use. Mac
 
brick wall, concrete driveway, odd rocks... easy to sharpen when you need it, so long as its not goin to be used to shave...

but who uses machettes to shave with? :p

obviously a nice convex with a belt sander or even sand paper would be better, but the work/payoff ratio isnt worth it IMO
 
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