Mega Machete

D

Deputydog

Joined
Sep 3, 2000
Messages
18
I'm wondering if anyone knows of companies that make heavy duty, knife quality machetes. I looked in the sword forum already and did not find what I wanted. I want a machete but as well built and tough as field tactical knife. Any thoughts? Ideas? It may be that they don't exist. At least not for sale.

Scott

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Indeed, if thou hurteth in thy efforts and thou
suffer painful dings, then thou art Doing It Right
RW
 
Scott,

You may want to have a look at Ross Aki's machetes. I don't have one myself -- yet
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-- but I've heard nothing but good things about them.

If you think that a heavier blade might be more suitable for your purposes, be sure to check out Himalayan Imports khukuris. They maintain a very active forum in the Maker's & Manufacturer's section of BF.

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Cheers,
Brian

He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
Blackjack Marauder II works for me, but is no longer in production. There may be still some out there. Cost was not high.

Factory machete's or custom route. Not much in between. I call them hard wood machetes, and they are very difficult to build. The forces produced are tremendous which pushes the very best steels to their limits especially if you want a hard cutting edge.

Its takes a brave maker to produce one. You won't find the big boys making them. Jungle machete yes, hard wood chopper no, well not longer than 9 inches.
 
I recently purchased a Greco La Duenna for use as a machete. It is heavy, thick, and very sharp. It has worked well for clearing underbrush and chopping down some small trees quickly and efficiently.
Davy
 
Deputy—

I share your wish. I know of only two sources offering truly top echelon knife quality machete’s at this time (both “big boys”). The first is Jerry Busse (Busse Combat Knife Co.). He offers to build one out of his superb proprietary steel INFI, which will cost you about $2,400 for an 18” blade version with 6” handle ($100 per inch). Wait is about 3 years. If you want to go a less expensive route
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, Phill Hartsfield will build one for you out of A2 for about $2000, with only a two-year wait.

Unfortunately, I’ve recently heard from Ross Aki’s wife on an order I placed with him in May. He’s suffered an accident, has been in the hospital, and in her words it’s not certain that he will return to making knives and machete’s at all. Our loss if true.

Ed Schott has had an order for me on the drawing board since May for a machete made of CPM 3V. However, he has suspended production as far as I can tell, and at this time is not even returning calls. I believe he’s trying to get a new business off the ground, and apparently he’s been somewhat overwhelmed.

You might want to check out the following thread from the Reviews forum on Newt Livesay, as indicated above—the most promising I’ve seen recently, although not a full 18” blade:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/002088.html

Good hunting--Will
 
Aki's standard fare are not hard wood choppers, they are too light and thin. Greenjacket's comments are right on based on my experience with many machetes vs small diameter hardwood.

What you want is a traditional parang. These are much heavier than machetes and are made to be able to withstand the very high pressures and impact forces generated when chopping small hardwoods.

They are convex ground and usually 1/4" stock. Spring or plain carbon steels are used.

For a high end version I would try Ed Schott and R. J. Martin.

-Cliff
 
I would check out the Barteaux's, they cost hardly anything. Downside is a poor initial edge and tanto shape, though both can be fixed with a small bit of work. Sheaths separate, I would skip it and have a kydex or heavy leather one made.

Martindale makes a parang/golock for the UK military, I have one, I like it. Edge is much better than Barteaux, but still not great, grinding ridges extend to edge, creating a sort of serration that folds over under hard use. Easy to sharpen though. Sheath separate, same as Barteaux, though the included sharpening file is not too bad. Martindale also make a Jungle knife which is nice.

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Thank you,
Marion David Poff aka Eye, Cd'A ID, USA mdpoff@hotmail.com

Review of the World Survival Institute, Chris Janowsky survival knife, the Ranger.

Talonite Resource Page, nearly exhaustive!!

Fire Page, metal match sources and index of information.

"Many are blinded by name and reputation, few see the truth" Lao Tzu
 
I thought a machete is a specialized jungle clearing foil. I mean what is a "hard wood machete" anyway? Isn't that what camp/trail knives are for?
 
I second that Livesay RCM. It is an outstanding outdoorsman's tool.

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The thorn stands to defend the Rose, yet it is peaceful and does not seek conflict
 
This may be a shock, I'd suggest a Livesay as well.
I prefer the RTAK to the RCM (even better ergonomics) and my custom one is the best of all. http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/002088.html
View

Be safe (or lucky)
Chad
BTW welcome to BFC Deputy
"He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. He who dies by the sword did not train hard enough."

[This message has been edited by chad234 (edited 09-12-2000).]
 
Tall :

I thought a machete is a specialized jungle clearing foil.
Click to expand...

Yes, it was designed for use on soft vegetation.

I mean what is a "hard wood machete" anyway?
Click to expand...

Something that can do to hard woods what a machete can do on soft vegetations. Not all enviroments are populated with leafy bushes and soft vines.

Isn't that what camp/trail knives are for?
Click to expand...

No they are much too short.

Marion's note on the Barteaux is right on, I have used them on hardwoods with no durability problems. However a thicker parang profile as I described about would have less binding problems and a lower fatigue rate. It would also do much better as the wood got thicker.

-Cliff
 
Check this site out. One of these machetes got a pretty good review in TK awhile back (for what it's worth).
http://www.miamimachete.com/

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Hoodoo

Why dost thou whet thy knife so earnestly?

The Merchant of Venice, Act IV. Scene I.
 
Sounds like a job for a Randall Sasquatch.
smile.gif


Machete...Typically a lightweight fast blade of 12-18 length intended for clearing soft vegetation.

Bolo... A heavy Jungle knife/bush sword, blade length 12-18" and thick 3/16"+ intended for clearing tropical hardwood.

Camp Knife... Large knife intended for camp chores (e.g. primitive minor construction of lean-too, sleeping platforms, tending camp fire, cutting rope, etc.). Popular blade Lengths are ~7 to 9"

Combat/Survival knife... sturdy medium size knife intended for most general cutting tasks (the three above are primarily for chopping). Can take the form of anything from a SAK to a Camp knife, but has to be able to cut effectively.

Just wanted to provide some basic (if somewhat arbitrary) definitions to help our immediate discussion. I am not sure which of these most fits what you are looking for?
 
BubbaBlades, what was the price on that 2 hand machete. And who do I need to call to get 1.

 
Okay I see. I think quite a few guys would be able to make a 12-18" blade with 3/16" stock. Aki makes them like that as well.

How do you guys think of something like this? I don't know the stock thickness.

<img src = "http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/woodman/images/c.jpg">
 
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