Was on vacation down in NC and in the hardware store in New Berne came across some Tramontina Latin Pattern 18" machetes. In my area off the shelf am limited to Chinese stainless, or the occasional Ontario. Knew I'd kick myself for not buying one of these since the shipping is free. They do not have a distal taper, and are a bit more upswept than many, looked like it might function well as a heavy chopper for upland camping.
I've done this a couple of times, and figured I'd document it as I went. Much like the hardware store hatchet, a little extra attention to a stock machete can turn it into a tremendous cutting machine for its weight.
Was considering removing the grip and replacing it with beefy micarta, but the stock ones fit my hand too well to mess with - a little sanding and on to the next task.
Now she needs pants (or would that be a skirt?). My standard sheath is made from scavenged plastic sheet or a rubbermade trashcan. Had to use a $6 trashcan, officially putting me at $20 for the project but still have enough of the can do make 2 or 3 more sheathes.
Left to right - the blade itself, blade expanded at the heel for sheath clearance, pattern with 3/8" on all sides and a bump out for the carabiner. Second pic shows the areas that will have an additional layer between the outside panels for clearance. I leave it a bit tighter in the belly for added retention. These sheathes are very easy to make and add almost no weight to the tool.
Cut the pieces out, clamp, drill, clip some aluminum nails short and peen them over for rivets, grind and sand the edges flush. Not the prettiest but these sheathes are indestructible and cut resistant. Have had a couple of close calls with canvas machete sheathes - I don't use them anymore. Was considering altering the shape but left it stock - didn't really think I could improve it any for what I intend.
Clamped for file-work. Gradual removal of the wheel ground edge. Finished off by draw-filing it reasonably flat. At this point it was just shaving arm hair and could drawslice fine catalog paper. In the real world it's prety much finished, in my world its a good start.
On to the 120 grit wet/dry, now shaving arm hair and shearcutting fine catalog paper.
From there on to a quick few passes on 320, 800 grit wet/dry and finish on paper with compound. Edge is now tree-topping leg hair 1/8" above the skin.
Here on out unless it takes real damage it might never see wet/dry or a stone again - will be maintained indefinitely on paper and compound like the Tram bolo who's job she'd like to take, the finish will become brighter over time as the last remnants of the filework and larger grind marks along the shoulder fade away. Will work her into rotation and see how she does, the 14" bolo wears some very big shoes in my collection.