Steel

[JCknives]

I was wondering if 3/16"thick 1080 would be a good steel for a machete someone wanted me to make them.

 

[Stark Knives]

I believe machetes are often made out of much thinner steel. Maybe 1/8" or even thinner would be a good starting point. Someone else may chime in with better knowledge though.

 

[Matt River]

3/16" fine for machetes, Condor blades are in that range. For impact and chopping I prefer 5160 over simple steels.

 

[samuraistuart]

Just a quick glance at Cold Steel machetes, every single one of them are either 2mm or 2.8mm. .079" or .110". I suppose it really depends on what you're using it for and personal preference. Personally, I wouldn't have any use for a machete 3/16" thick.

 

[Russ Andrews]

Most machetes are well under 1/8"thk as they're intended for clearing vines/brush/small branches, and
thin does that much better than thick......and because thick is heavier and will wear you out more quickly.