Tossing around a machete design

[FTR-14c]

I'm thinking about having this machete made by Hunter Martin of Huntsman knives. I've had this image in my head forever and finally free handed this sketch just to get something on paper. The handle design is already taken care of so I'm looking for some input on the blade.

The machete will be used for camping, fatwood hunts and the backyard fire pit. Mostly chopping, splitting kindling and some light brush.

The blade will be Hunters 52100 with a spring temper spine and 58rc edge. I'm shooting for 1/8th thick or slightly over.

I was going to go with 16 inches but with its dimensions I'm feeling 14 inches may be the sweet spot. I don't want it to be unwieldy.

The handle will be skeletonized with Micarta.

I have other machetes but nothing quite like this.

The blade proportions are to scale.
Let me know what you think,



.

 

[Bruce Culberson]

This one was forged from L6 and was around 13" blade and 2 1/2" wide near the tip. The blade is 5/16" at the ricasso and distal tapers to 3/16". It swung nicely. I think if you are going with 1/8" then you'll want the wider tip that you have drawn to give some weight.

Bruce

 

[WILLIAM.M]

something like this??

 

[Blue Sky]

At some point those are more cleaver than machete. Not that that's a bad thing.

 

[FTR-14c]

This one was forged from L6 and was around 13" blade and 2 1/2" wide near the tip. The blade is 5/16" at the ricasso and distal tapers to 3/16". It swung nicely. I think if you are going with 1/8" then you'll want the wider tip that you have drawn to give some weight.

Bruce

That is something to think about. I will talk to Hunter about maybe going thicker, I know he has used .156" on other patterns. That may add enough heft to be more effective.

something like this??

That is really nice!

If you don't mind, I have a few questions. I am interested in the specs; blade length, thickness, width at the widest point. What steel is used?

How does it work? And if you could change anything, what would it be?

 

[FTR-14c]

At some point those are more cleaver than machete. Not that that's a bad thing.

Yeah, we are calling it a cleaver for now.

I have very little experience with cleavers but it just feels right. I'm hoping the extra width will make up for lost length and give it good balance with a little weight forward. I don't have much use for a tip but it should still be usable.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

If you don't mind, I have a few questions. I am interested in the specs; blade length, thickness, width at the widest point. What steel is used?

How does it work? And if you could change anything, what would it be?[/QUOTE]

I NO LONGER OWN IT

WAS 1/4" 5160

MADE BY BILL SIEGLE

NEEDED MORE WEIGHT FORWARD

BUT HANDLE WAS EXCELLENT

 

[gregorio]

reminds me more than a little of the Baryonyx Machete

 

[FTR-14c]

reminds me more than a little of the Baryonyx Machete

I've been thinking of this long before it came out but actually sketched this profile on the blade of my Baryonyx machete taking some inspiration form the sweep in the belly.