My Lite machete edge looks bad...

I have been using a machete for over 40 years in Central America, and to me, they are the $5 whore of knives and I treat them that way.

I think many people who don't use them a lot, start to confuse a good hunting knife's edge or butcher's knife with that of the machete. I also think people spend way to much time making them look pretty and then are afraid to use them because of all the work they put into them.

It's a machete and use the hell out of it and take a file to it and clean it up, and you're good to go. When you're done fixing the edge on your machete, then take the file and clean up the edge of your shovel at the same time.

I worry about the edge of a machete as much as I do a shovel. ;)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
That's funny--I happen to like putting an edge on shovels. They work a lot better that way! :D
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I do the same thing and people laugh at me, but like you said, they are easier to use. The thing is, I use the same file on my shovels as I do on my machete's. :p

Actually, I don't have anything against anyone on how they maintain their tools. My point was, don't make a tool so pretty and fansty that you are afraid to actually use it out in the field. Heck, that's 99% of the fun is using the crap out of them.

It doesn't matter if you spend hours working an edge to perfection, but it does matter if you never use that edge to learn anything out in the bush. Basically, spend your time learning and having fun outside instead of in a chair polishing an edge to the point where you can count your teeth in it. :D

My father used to say that the machete needs to be sharpened when it makes a dent instead of a cut in wood. :o

I have just seen so many people buy something and never get any enjoyment out of it other than holding it once in a while because they don't want to dirty it, scratch it or ding it. My friend has a 4x4 and won't take it out when it rains let alone off road. :rolleyes:

Hell, when I die people are going to have a lot of cool toys I leave behind, but they will all have been used and have stories to tell.

Worry about having fun and not the tool. You can always get another tool, but not another day to enjoy it.
 
hrmm my LM came that way too...didnt affect performance...and like MrPan stated i treat my machetes like cheap ladies of the night. i have no clue how many times ive hit my driveway with my machete or a piece of volcanic rock....F it! :)

i think its just the sharpening process...no biggie
 
The first time i took a coarse stone to it I got no result.
Yesterday I tried again and it took me 5-10 minutes and the edge was smooth.
Some 290 grit sandpaper on the spot and some 400 to the entire blade and it should be ready for some hard work. Don't get me wrong, I don't normaly treat such tools this way, but the edge looked awefull.
My camp axe has some nicks but still works great.
All in all I'm happy and can't wait to put the machete to work, I don't like safe queens. Thanks guys.
 
Don't worry so much about how your edge looks, but rather how it feels. As long as it's sharp that's the only thing you have to worry about with a machete...unless you're obsessive like me. :p
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Don't worry so much about how your edge looks, but rather how it feels. As long as it's sharp that's the only thing you have to worry about with a machete...unless you're obsessive like me. :p
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It comes pretty close :)
The edge felt more like a sledgehammer than a machete to be honest. Completely flat/blunt.

This event learned me a bit about freehanding though. I took a Sharpmaker fine ceramic and touched up my RTAK-2. It's pretty sharp now, no clean shave yet but i'm getting there.
Works way better than the sharpmaker for the RTAK.
 
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basb,

Imacasa may have missed it on the edge of your blade. If you need a new one let me know and we will get one shipped out ASAP.
 
R.A.T. said:
basb,

Imacasa may have missed it on the edge of your blade. If you need a new one let me know and we will get one shipped out ASAP.
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If it happens again i will let you know. I will be using it next week and see what happens.

Thanks anyhow jeff!
 
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