Sharpening Machete

[Shann]

I have searched and found a lot of stuff, but still am not sure. I have a 12" Tramontina machete. Its completely dull, will not cut my hand with direct pressure (i know, stupid). The point is broken. It appears to be a kind of chisel grind.

I am a bad sharpener, relying on the sharpmaker. I also don't have a grinder or belt sander to use.

Could I have some advise on sharpening, specifically what kind of file and what angle would I try to set? Thanks.

 

[Dijos]

Here's what I do, thanks to Cliff stamp. I c-clamp the blade to a table ( my workbench is made for this-it is not for real furniture) with the handle off of the table, so the blade is pretty flat. I then take a mill bastard file, and with it about 30-40 degrees off perpindicular to the blade (that is, if you were looking from the top, the file would be flat on the machete, and make a wierd cross), hold both ends (the tip if the file and the handle) , and slide/push the file along the edge at the desired edge angle. It will take a little time, but you should be able to change the type of grind to any that you like. Aword of caution, though-before you begin, you will notice that there is a way to file that will feel like you are cutting an edge, and a way that feels like you are rubbing ice cubes together. If the file is not catching, you probably need to change edge angles. Also, if it is not painfully obvious, the edge of the machete must be as close to the edge of the table as possible-otherwise, this will not work at all.
Hope that helps, and don't sue me if you cut yourself.

 

[Shann]

Here's what I do, thanks to Cliff stamp. I c-clamp the blade to a table ( my workbench is made for this-it is not for real furniture) with the handle off of the table, so the blade is pretty flat. I then take a mill bastard file, and with it about 30-40 degrees off perpindicular to the blade (that is, if you were looking from the top, the file would be flat on the machete, and make a wierd cross), hold both ends (the tip if the file and the handle) , and slide/push the file along the edge at the desired edge angle. It will take a little time, but you should be able to change the type of grind to any that you like. Aword of caution, though-before you begin, you will notice that there is a way to file that will feel like you are cutting an edge, and a way that feels like you are rubbing ice cubes together. If the file is not catching, you probably need to change edge angles. Also, if it is not painfully obvious, the edge of the machete must be as close to the edge of the table as possible-otherwise, this will not work at all.
Hope that helps, and don't sue me if you cut yourself.

Who me? Didja know I'm a lawyer
Seriously, though thanks!

 

[jackknife]

I worked for years alongside of a guy from El Salvadore. Americo became a friend who went fishing with some of the rest of our shop crew after work on nice evenings. The guy did everything with a little 12 inch machete. Dug up bait, gut and chopped heads off fish, I mean everything.

It's amazing what can be done with a 12 inch tramontina or Collins.

All he ever used to sharpen it was a file. He had a file with one side ground off smooth, and he used that side to burnish the edge when he was done filing.