Some fun with the Baryonyx and Oberst machetes.

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FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
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I finally got the chance to get out and take some better pictures of my prototype submissions to Condor. For those still unfamiliar with them (I know--not many of you!) the Baryonyx is a broad chopper designed with North American temperate zones specifically in mind, and is configured to handle everything from grasses and brambles all the way up to full blown trees. The Oberst is a sword/machete hybrid based on the Swiss baselard sword and is designed for a combined role of utility and defense (and fun!) They're up for consideration for Condor's 2013 line, so if you're interested in seeing production versions a little consumer pressure never hurts. :p

The Baryonyx:

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The Oberst

CIMG0290.jpg


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Videos to come in a few.
 
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Thanks, man! Here are the videos. No dialogue and the clips are short, but they show off what they can do! Most of them are of the Baryonyx in action as it has the most interesting performance characteristics. The Oberst is pretty straightforward--it's shaped like a sword but chops like a medium/light machete.

The Baryonyx:

Splitting (twisted grain)
[video=youtube;n6t8ETI6F0k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6t8ETI6F0k[/video]

Splitting (straight grain)
[video=youtube;hOEbm3ukoEE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOEbm3ukoEE[/video]

Batoning (mostly handy for kindling, since it can just split bigger pieces)
[video=youtube;Ko_Nin3-hW4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko_Nin3-hW4[/video]

Use as a drawknife (sorry it's not a closer shot, but you get the idea)
[video=youtube;nFA5XFgJv9g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFA5XFgJv9g[/video]

Chopping (the blade sticks a few times at first because it was a stacked log--no such problem when they have the limbs still on 'em!)
[video=youtube;zptAG7Jlh3Q]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zptAG7Jlh3Q[/video]
[video=youtube;KKbGwrtWoOQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKbGwrtWoOQ[/video]

Using the hook
[video=youtube;jh2zIIHAG1o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh2zIIHAG1o[/video]
[video=youtube;NlWp75EtI9I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlWp75EtI9I[/video]

The Oberst

Sorry for the poor viewing angle--there wasn't any convenient place to set the camera and my help had run off so I had to chop with one hand and film with the other. YouTube's stabilization feature removed most of the "Cloverfield" effect though. :p
[video=youtube;F-1k1ABrAlc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-1k1ABrAlc[/video]
[video=youtube;mCswbNOCXJo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCswbNOCXJo[/video]
 
It IS a chopping beast! Handles fine tasks very nicely, too, which you might not expect for its size. :)
 
I like the looks and utility of the Baryonyx, what does that thing weigh in at / how thick is the steel / distal tapered? I'm wondering if it had a distal taper - weigh in at 22-24 oz would it still perform well? At 1.25 to 1.5 lbs I'd be interested - much heavier than that and I'm not sure it would get a lot of use.
 
Below is an image detailing the stats of the prototype.

BaryonyxPrototypeDimensions.jpg


HOWEVER a production version would be in 2mm thickness and have a polypropylene handle (as seen on the Bush Knife). 2mm rather than 3mm (1/8") stock means that the weight in steel will be reduced by a full third, and a polypropylene handle would weigh a lot less than a micarta one. After those reductions it should be just under the 1.5 lb. mark. The whole idea with this design was to concentrate mass behind the cutting edge rather than to the sides, so the reduction in thickness shouldn't negatively impact the chopping power significantly, but would make it a much handier piece. :):thumbup:
 
I've always thought your Baryonyx looks like an Uruk weapon, either that or an English peasant field/battle tool.
The sword looks great too!

Thanks for doing the vids. :thumbup:

This isn't a criticism but did you think about putting a flared round butt on the Baryonyx? I'm sure you find it stable in the hand as is, but I thought maybe it would give a surer grip.
 
Thanks for the kind words! It drew heavy inspiration from English billhooks, so you've got a good eye!

The handle as-is is an hourglass shape, so it does flare slightly at the butt of the handle. This is even more pronounced on the polypropylene handle, if it makes it into the line in 2013, as the poly handle flares in thickness as well as width. :)
 
Darn you !!! Why'd ya hafta go & post those vids of that AWESOME chopper you got ? Now i want one !
 
That's the idea! :D Let Condor know you want to see it in 2013! :p:thumbup:

They've already got 2012 figured out (I've even seen one) but they're at least considering adding them the following year. The design represents my ideal general-use chopper for temperate zones, and the only machete designed for North America since the Woodman's Pal (which I'm personally not a big fan of.) I've used my personal prototype for felling, splitting, clearing brush, boring divots, slicing, and woodworking. I would confidently take it as my only edged tool in either a survival or general utility situation. :):thumbup:
 
The wannabe gladiator in me is finding your oberst harder and harder to resist...would even be practical here in the jungles of Guam. May be the way to appease me while trying to find a Busse gladius for a reasonable price.

Ryan
 
BTW, Thank you for all that you do. I find your vids, pictures, and forum posts to be very informative and helpful...and your business provides quite the service as well. I'm still loving the machetes that you sent me.
CONDOR ROCKS. I have no doubt that the baryonyx designed machetes are the creme de la creme.
 
No problem, dude! I do what I can! :p Glad to hear that your machetes are doing well for you! I've been enjoying the heck out of my personal prototypes, and I've been keeping my fingers crossed hoping they make it into the Condor line--the Baryonyx especially. I've seen a few pics of some 2012 items, though, and they're pretty sweet! Doesn't make waiting for 2013 any easier--and that's just to find out if they made it into the line! :D
 
Here's to ya making it in with condor! The Baryonyx is a must for the PAC NW and other temperate rain forest country...
 
Thanks! I agree--I just hope Condor does too! :D:thumbup:

I'll be doing some extra cleanup in the back pasture with it soon. It's been a great tool for both general use and in emergency circumstances like after the wet snow storm we got a few weeks back. I had to fell 5 birch trees that got bent over and were leaning on the electric fence.
 
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