Tramontina Golok Sheath

pict

pict

Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
2,373
This week I was able to move ahead on another unfinished Tramontina modification. Here in Brazil nobody sells a golok so I decided to make one about a year and a half ago. I took a 17 inch heavy bird’s head handled machete and cut it back to 14 inches. This gave me the forward weighted feel I was looking for. I wanted a blade that was easy to carry on the belt yet hit like a 16 inch machete.

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The blade has been begging for a sheath. Yesterday I solved that problem. The sheath is pretty simple and reflects the high standard of tools I have for leatherworking (Mark 1 Eyeball, steel ruler, Skookum Bushtool, hole punch, 2 needles, sandpaper). It’s not professional looking but it is fully functional and will see plenty of time in the bush.

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I treated the sheath with beeswax and most likely will heat it up and retreat it, I think it can take more wax. As it is the leather is rock hard, more like a scabbard than a sheath and it holds its shape like Kydex. The blade makes a satisfying “clack” when it seats.

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Mac
 
Great looking golok and sheath! I take it that the blade would be thinner than the traditional golok, given it's orgin?
 
Nice mod. I've done the exact same thing to several of mine.

I would suggest you add a few rivets along the edge of the sheath to reinforce the stitching if you have the room inside the sheath for the blade to still slide by, especially at the throat and lower corner. Even if the stitching was to give way the rivets would keep the sheath functional. A nail with a wide head and a washer on the other side to smash down and hold everything together will work.
 
Alex,

I've got a thick welt sewn into the edge for the full length so the blade would have to cut through about 1/4 inch of leather to get to the stitches. Not that it can't be done but it would take some doing.
 
Great job, Pict. The golok and the sheath look good, but I'm surprised that you went with leather. Is your golok stainless or carbon? I don't trust carbon and leather in wet and humid places.
 
kage said:
Great job, Pict. The golok and the sheath look good, but I'm surprised that you went with leather. Is your golok stainless or carbon? I don't trust carbon and leather in wet and humid places.
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We have two seasons here wet and dry. During rainy season often I will oil the machete and leave it out of the sheath at night. During dry season it is common for central Brazil to go six months without a drop of rain so we are in a virtual desert. Leather sheaths hold up just fine under such conditions. Mac
 
Thanks for the info Pict, I always enjoy your posts. I've only been to Brazil a couple of times but it was definitely wet when I was there. Most of my adult time in the jungle was with the military and plastic sheaths with the machetes was the order of the day. The leather sheaths I saw guys use in Panama rusted the machetes like you wouldn't believe.
 
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