Straightening

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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I've had a rash of bent blades lately. The main culpret being machetes. Is there any way of straightening these bad boys with simple hand tools. Meaning I can prolly scrape up a couple of c clamps but I have no vice or anything like that. The ones I have issue with is 2 trams, a BHK 14incher, and a Condor Thai Enep. Not sure if I can bend 1/4" steel but it's worth the asking.
 
How bad of a bend?
If it's minor just hammer and anvil(big rock)

The only thick blade machete I own is an Ontario and I haven't bent it.
I have straightened a couple of cheap machetes from Honduras with a hammer and big rock(anvil)

I guess I'm really wondering;
How in the world are you bending them?
 
there's a tool for straightening japanese chisel edged kitchen knives. it's a simple piece of hardwood with slots ground ou one end and a handle at the other end. pretty straight forward and probably easy to make at home
 
You can bend anything with enough leverage. Machetes are also not excessively hard, by and large, so you should be able to straighten them out without risk of cracking. I'd be tempted to C-clamp the blade to a bench, and use your palm to apply GENTLE pressure to the side of the grip. Go lightly and check it often, it might take a LOT less pressure than you're expecting. Wear safety glasses for sure!

Caveat: This is theoretical, I've never done this myself with a blade! I've bent plenty of metal from time to time, (some intentionally, even) but never a knife blade. If someone else says this is a bad idea, it likely is!
 
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I hav eused similar setups successfully. You don't have to use 3 clamps, one or 2 would be fine. Steadily increase pressure on clamps, in the opposite direction of the bend...STEADILY. Don't over flex either. Machetes are sofeter than most blades to handle repeated impacts, and retain flexibility so it souldn't be to difficult to straighten. I'd be wary of using your hand to straighten it, Ive done this before and it worked. Ive also done it and the blade broke and I got cut, just food for thought.
 
there is another way you can straighten a bent piece of steel. i have used it to straighten gun barrels before. it requires 2 clamps and a block of wood (wide for a long bend, narrow for a short bend, use your own judgement).

you lay the block down and place the middle of the bend right on the block with each end going up. have tape on the area you plan on placing the clamps and pad with leather. get the clamps in place and slowly apply pressure evenly to draw the ends down below center a little at a time till the bend comes out.

i straightened a 22 barrel and had it shooting as good as before it was bent but a 22 barrel is softer than a knife blade so take it easy and go slow. also avoid sharp bends. a rounded block would even be better for a knife.
 
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