Anybody have an idea of what kind of steel is in a tramontina machette? I picked one up at a yard sale for at couple of dollars and the steel is dead soft. I was thinking about reshaping the handle, thinning the edge and hardening it . Will it harden in an oil quench? I don't know if it would be worth the time but it is something to do in an evening. Thanks.
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tramontina machette steel?
- Thread starter bill boyd
- Start date
Anybody have an idea of what kind of steel is in a tramontina machette? I picked one up at a yard sale for at couple of dollars and the steel is dead soft. I was thinking about reshaping the handle, thinning the edge and hardening it . Will it harden in an oil quench? I don't know if it would be worth the time but it is something to do in an evening. Thanks.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 402
Does it have a wood or plastic handle ?
I own both types and the ones with a wooden handle are by far the best. If memory serves they have carbon-steel blades. Mine have been put to a lot of use, and besides from a cracked grib they have worked great. The plastic-handled ones are made of something else. I tried to cut a 2 inch tree, but all that happend was a bend blade which was straightend by standing on it while pulling the grib.
I own both types and the ones with a wooden handle are by far the best. If memory serves they have carbon-steel blades. Mine have been put to a lot of use, and besides from a cracked grib they have worked great. The plastic-handled ones are made of something else. I tried to cut a 2 inch tree, but all that happend was a bend blade which was straightend by standing on it while pulling the grib.
It has the wooden grips. I sharpened it on my belt grinder to remove all the nicks and dings. It has a convex edge now but it's not sharp, the edge just rolls over. I tried to cut some overgrown rose bushes with it and it wouldn't even cut through half inch stems. Just for something to do, I thought I would remove the grips, lenghten the handle and harden the edge. But if it is low carbon steel and not hardenable, it's no big loss.
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 402
I would try to harden the edge. They are great for the type of work you intended it to do.I sharpen mine on a beltsander too, and you have to do it very careful not to ruin the edge, and try not to get it too sharp - it's not a razor.
Ivan Campos
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- Apr 4, 1999
- Messages
- 2,501
We see this stuff everywhere here in Brazil and, in my opinion, they are pure junk, not worth your time and efforts.
The people who buy them here see them strctly as disposable itens and wear them out very fast.
Best regards.
Ivan
The people who buy them here see them strctly as disposable itens and wear them out very fast.
Best regards.
Ivan
- Joined
- Aug 8, 1999
- Messages
- 402
I guess Ivan has a point if you can get them everywhere, but i Denmark I cannot, so I'll have to take care of those i've got and I think they are worth a little work.The plastichandle type is junk for sure.
- Joined
- May 28, 1999
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- 2,606
I have found them to be for the money about the best machetes you can get. They are supposed to be 50 RC, so it shouldnt be that soft. I have had 3. Held a great edge cutting banna trees, small saplings, tree branchs... etc. I heard they were 1070, so they will harden just fine. The only drawback is that they are so flexible, cant break em, but they get stuck easily on some materials, hasnt been bad enough that i would worry about it though.