Need Machete / Sword Suggestions

[frank k]

Originally posted by Eric_Draven
The machete suffers from several disadvantages: it is usually made of very soft metal and thus has a low level of durability;...

I have to disagree with you here. The steels used in machetes (as well as axes and swords) are much tougher (impact resistant) than the steels typically used for high end knives. Something like M2 at 65Rc would tend to shatter on impact with an unseen rock, while some thing like 1050 at 45Rc would tend to suffer far less severe damage - and whatever damage sustained would be easier to repair in the field with a file.



-Frank

 

[Eric_Draven]

Frank,

I agree that the steel in machetes (ontario, tram, Martindale) is not likely to chip out, and is impact resistant. But the flip side is that it is very weak in its ability to resist deformation. While limbing dead branches (where a golok rules) the Softer machete blades are easily dented. The Tramontina is the worst I have seen in this regards.

 

[frank k]

Eric,

Some of these blades are left too soft, tending to take a set when they should spring back into shape. The plain carbon steels work best in machetes when spring tempered to about 38-55 Rc. The exact optimal hardness will depend on the steel, blade geometry, and most importantly, how the machete is used. Blades used for soft vegetation where the chance of accidental impacts with hard objects is low will benefit from a higher Rc than would be preferable for a machete used where hard impacts are unavoidable.



-Frank