Serrated Machete

[2jka]

Well can say that I learned a great deal from this question! You guys are awesome! Not2sharp and Forty two blades, you guys really hit the nail on the head with this one! Much appreciated guys!
I wasn't interested in actually serrating (is that a real word?) a machete, but you guy may have convinced me to put some on my cheapo-la Harbor Fright serrated machete. Ha, now wouldn't that be a sight to behold: saw on one side, serrated blade on the other. Keep the great insight comin' 'cause I still wanna learn. And, thanks for reading!

 

[PitbullShogun]

serrations are fine on a machete. but realistically what you will have is a saw. if i narrowed the blade down to a metal spike with a flat end on it i will also have a screwdriver. why? because different tools are different.

 

[G. Scott H.]

Agreed - I've used those, too, but it is a completely different sort of motion.

You're right. I didn't think about that, but these are swung more like a golf club, rather than being used like a machete, so the edge is always nearly dead-on horizontal to the medium being cut.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I used a serrated sickle/short scythe a lot as a kid cutting light vegetation and briars. The sheet metal blade was stamped with ripples in it and a bevel was ground on one side. Soft veg. and skin were no match for it. Still have a few light scars.

Sounds like a corn hook to me. Did it look like this?

serrations are fine on a machete. but realistically what you will have is a saw. if i narrowed the blade down to a metal spike with a flat end on it i will also have a screwdriver. why? because different tools are different.

No, I don't think you understand. The serrations are of benefit when cutting grasses and other similar light targets--the blades of grass or stems of plants get snagged by the serrations and forcibly pulled into the edge. They prevent those light targets from simply bending and slipping off the edge.

 

[JayGoliath]

I used a serrated sickle/short scythe a lot as a kid cutting light vegetation and briars. The sheet metal blade was stamped with ripples in it and a bevel was ground on one side. Soft veg. and skin were no match for it. Still have a few light scars.

All the discussions above reminds me of this:

 

[adnj]

I believe that for more fibrous material, like vines hanging from trees, the serrations would help. The problem with half serrated machetes is that you probably want the serrations toward the tip and not the handle. I find that serrations help to rip through some material that just don't stand still long enough during the swing.

I typically use a panga machete. I sharpen the upswept back edge and that for to hook and cut stuff that I can't cut easily with a normal swing.

 

[me2]

Yep, exactly like the Barclay model at the bottom. The only difference is I broke the short handle, so my granddad mounted it on an axe handle about 4' long. They're right though, no chopping. Light vegies, it kills though. He still has it in the garage. I may see about getting it.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I believe that for more fibrous material, like vines hanging from trees, the serrations would help. The problem with half serrated machetes is that you probably want the serrations toward the tip and not the handle. I find that serrations help to rip through some material that just don't stand still long enough during the swing.

I typically use a panga machete. I sharpen the upswept back edge and that for to hook and cut stuff that I can't cut easily with a normal swing.

Yup! Partial back edge on a panga does a great job--basically gives you a little sickle blade. My Condor Viking is one of my favorite machetes for that reason.

Yep, exactly like the Barclay model at the bottom. The only difference is I broke the short handle, so my granddad mounted it on an axe handle about 4' long. They're right though, no chopping. Light vegies, it kills though. He still has it in the garage. I may see about getting it.

Yeah--basically they're like a grass hook for heavy stalked plants like corn, burdock, thistles, etc.

Gosh darn it. I just love old ag. tools a little too much.