Martindale 13 Inch Golok 2 pvc sheath/insert

[Tyrkon Lawson]

Once I got this bad boy nice and sharp (we all know the factory edge is pretty dull) I really started to like this chopper. However, the stock sheath it comes with is not so hot in my opinion. The material it is made from seems durable enough and I like how the mil file fits in a pocket on the sheath (because the file works great sharpening this golok). But the sheath is just nylon with no insert to make it rigid. So it just flops around inside and will easily slide out.

So I decided to make a pvc sheath for it. After all pvc sheaths are pretty durable and very inexpensive. So here is how it went...

I bought about a 2 ft . length of pvc pipe from Home Depot for about $3.00

I heated it up in an oven for about 3 min. at 350 degrees fahrenheit to get it soft.

Then I compressed it between a 2x4 and a piece of delrin i had laying around

Here it is once it cooled. Fits nice and snug.

But then out of curiosity I tested to see if the new pvc sheath would fit in the factory nylon sheath and it fit perfectly.

So I decided to alter the end to match the shape of the nylon sheath.

Then I fit the pvc back into the nylon sheath for a perfect fit. Finally I glued the top of the sheath to the insert so it wouldn't slip out.

And the final result is the factory sheath with a pvc liner.

All for about $3.00 and 30 min. work time. I'm a total novice so I was pretty happy with this one. And now the sheath is much more practical for my needs.

 

[jimh0220]

Nice!

 

[bladerique]

Then I compressed it between a 2x4 and a piece of delrin i had laying around

Since I don't have any Delrin [nor know what it is], could I just use wood to compress the heated PVC?

Also, what size PVC? [I'm no expert at PVC either.]

 

[bladerique]

I used white PVC [if that makes any difference] and noticed that the PVC shrinks from the heat. Three minutes at 350 didn't soften up my PVC enough so I went for ten, and after that time, the PVC shrank an inch. I'll try again today with a 14" cut of PVC [the blade is 13"].

 

[alex]

I always add an extra inch when using PVC. I also have used the white and found out the hard way the first time. Fortunately I had shorter blade length machetes that I could use it for.

Also, remember that if you don't get the sheath just right the first time just stick it back in the oven as many times as you need and keep molding it over and over until you get it right. Be very careful with blades that are wider near the end and narrower near the tang. If you mold it perfectly you will not be able to get the blade out of the sheath because the top will be too narrow for the wide end to go through. I always use the longest, thickest, widest machete as my PVC "molding blade" and the rest of my machete blades will automatically fit.

I use 325 degrees in my preheated oven and leave it there until I see the PVC tube begin to soften. Usually that is about 7 to 10 minutes or so. When removing from the oven (use gloves) you need to press it quickly because it hardens within 30 seconds or so. I press it between a couple of 2 x 12 boards and just stand on the boards for about a minute or so until the pvc is hard. The machete handle will overhang the end of the boards when pressing. If it isn't just right then stick it back in the oven and do it over.

 

[KiljoyKutlery]

Great mod!!
I would just throw this out there guys.. burning PVC fumes are HIGHLY toxic if inhaled, so make sure you dont forget the pipe in the oven, and please turn on your oven fans if you have one!!!!:thumbup:

 

[Loosearrow]

Great mod!!
I would just throw this out there guys.. burning PVC fumes are HIGHLY toxic if inhaled, so make sure you dont forget the pipe in the oven, and please turn on your oven fans if you have one!!!!:thumbup:

I was going to say the same thing. Be very careful with the toxic fumes. They can mess you up for life. I met a patient once that was making digeradoos (sp) use for music using circular breathing. The fumes are toxic and he will never be the same again.

 

[Tyrkon Lawson]

Great mod!!
I would just throw this out there guys.. burning PVC fumes are HIGHLY toxic if inhaled, so make sure you dont forget the pipe in the oven, and please turn on your oven fans if you have one!!!!:thumbup:

Excellent point. I had the fans on and windows open. I don't think the boiling method produces as much fumes but I forget.