Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
I will shortly (a month or so) be getting some machetes from Martindale. After working with them for some time (month or so each), I would like to pass them along to others to gain additional perspectives. Ideally these would be to people from different enviroments, skill levels and physical abilities, so we can get a feel for how task, experience, and ability, influences design suitability.
If you would like to help just drop me an email with a short blurb about the type of use the blade will see, materials as well as goals (shelter building on pine and spruce for example). A comment about experience would be nice as well as a short note on size (5'10", 165 lbs for example). This is mainly for perspective as noted in the above. If we have discussed knives before, this is all probably well known, so there is no need to go over it again.
While experienced users are indeed welcome, a complete novice with machetes doesn't need to shy away either. Some times a complete lack of preconceptions can be a valuable tool. I would ask of course that you be of age. Knives are not trival tools to use without danger, especially the larger ones. If you want to ask about use, where to begin and such, that is fine as well.
You have to be willing to provide feedback, and make this known to Martindale, pictures would be great by not required as is permission for a public report. The form of this feedback is completely up to you. If you want to carry a laptop and count and measure everything that is fine, as well as if you just eyeball everything. You should also be willing to comment on performance specifically against other blades you have used. Again this can be as precise as you want.
If the machete fails grossly (breaks in bits). I would like to have it returned so I can have a look at it. You should also be willing to pass the blade on after working with it for awhile (couple of months) if the responce to this is high. Shipping costs should be low as I'll try to find local matchups.
The blades will not be in NIB condition when you recieve them, but will be sharpened and ready for use. There may also be modifications to the grip as well. It would be very nice, but not necessary, if you were also willing to do modifications your self. For example if you found the initial edge too thick, thin it out a little and see if it can hold the profile you need for the cutting performance you require.
If the responce to this is high, I'll start up a small mailing list to focus the commentary as time passes and to keep everybody up to date. Suggestions on use are of course welcome, including if you don't want to be part of the user group. So if you just want to be a viewer, that is fine as well.
-Cliff
If you would like to help just drop me an email with a short blurb about the type of use the blade will see, materials as well as goals (shelter building on pine and spruce for example). A comment about experience would be nice as well as a short note on size (5'10", 165 lbs for example). This is mainly for perspective as noted in the above. If we have discussed knives before, this is all probably well known, so there is no need to go over it again.
While experienced users are indeed welcome, a complete novice with machetes doesn't need to shy away either. Some times a complete lack of preconceptions can be a valuable tool. I would ask of course that you be of age. Knives are not trival tools to use without danger, especially the larger ones. If you want to ask about use, where to begin and such, that is fine as well.
You have to be willing to provide feedback, and make this known to Martindale, pictures would be great by not required as is permission for a public report. The form of this feedback is completely up to you. If you want to carry a laptop and count and measure everything that is fine, as well as if you just eyeball everything. You should also be willing to comment on performance specifically against other blades you have used. Again this can be as precise as you want.
If the machete fails grossly (breaks in bits). I would like to have it returned so I can have a look at it. You should also be willing to pass the blade on after working with it for awhile (couple of months) if the responce to this is high. Shipping costs should be low as I'll try to find local matchups.
The blades will not be in NIB condition when you recieve them, but will be sharpened and ready for use. There may also be modifications to the grip as well. It would be very nice, but not necessary, if you were also willing to do modifications your self. For example if you found the initial edge too thick, thin it out a little and see if it can hold the profile you need for the cutting performance you require.
If the responce to this is high, I'll start up a small mailing list to focus the commentary as time passes and to keep everybody up to date. Suggestions on use are of course welcome, including if you don't want to be part of the user group. So if you just want to be a viewer, that is fine as well.
-Cliff
), as such did quite a bit of clearing work along local creeks and streams to make them passable for canoes and fishermen. Lifelong camper and 'woods runner' (not so much now due to young children and Lyme's disease threat). My primary camp\wood clearing tool has always been a machete type blade as opposed to an axe\hatchet\saw. Always use a machete for yard work-pruning, trimming, etc. Sorry, no Special Forces, Rambo, or "hacked my way out of an airplane" stories here 
I have a wee bit 'o tendonitis in the elbows, and the occasional bursitis in the shoulders...then there's that carpal tunnel...