Photos (UPDATES on Pg. 2) Do Tramontina machetes come from the factory like this or did the seller damage it with a grinder?

[Mr Machete]

I bought a 24" Tramontina with a poly handle. I was under the impression that the tip to somewhere around the belly would be, mostly, unfinished, but maybe that's the basic 18" Trams. I know my Ontario (18") took ages to get going with a file.

But I received it with the belly and tip oddly sharpened and, judging by the coloration, possibly overheated enough to to ruin the temper on the edge of the tip. I can't tell if the seller did it or if it came from the factory like this. If the seller didn't do it, did the factory sharpen it before or after heat treating it? Should I return it and/or leave a bad review?

These two show the burn:

These last two show the light reflecting off an additional two bevels from improper sharpening:

I could care less about it being improperly sharpened, the tip being damaged and the burn mark. I was gonna hit with a mill file anyway. The last 9 inches of the blade weren't true, but it was easily fixed. What does worry me is that the temper on the edge of that portion of the tip may have been ruined.

I got it for clearing certain sections of grassy weeds so I wouldn't have to get so close or low. Imagine dense Johnson grass and Itchgrass type invasive weeds with half inch thick brambles and worse growing in, on and around it.(Welcome to Texas!) So the tip will definitely be dragging accross vegetation every swing even though I only intend to cut with the sweet spot.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I would probably exchange it for another. Tramontinas are usually a bit rough but that ones the worst I've seen thats being sold as new.

 

[Mecha]

I could couldn't care less

I'd just use it, but would ask the seller if they sharpened it just out of curiosity, so I could talk smack about the burned sharpening job to my friends.

"Can you believe these people? They tried to sharpen the machete and burned it! I just can't even."

FortyTwoBlades

 

[J85909266]

The grinds on Machetes in this class are typically terrible, but that one is particularly bad. Still, it would not surprise me at all if this was factory.

 

[willc]

I would bet on the seller doing that.
But I would not worry about it.

Just take a file to it and in no time it will be back to good steel.
I have a few Tramontias and they are great working tools.

 

[The Mastiff]

Excellent picture Mr. Machete. I'd be surprised if the burn didn't blow the grain in that area. I'm usually one that suggests fixing small imperfections but that one should go back to the seller.

 

[USMCPOP]

I got a dozen or so 18" wood handled Trams on closeout. None have burn marks. None have the last inch+ at the tip sharpened at all. And the grinding is with a fine wheel, no gouges.

 

[Zulus]

Such burn will change metal structure permanently !
So not so healthy sign at all
I don't believe it's factory "job"

 

[tinfoil hat timmy]

I'd send that right back to the seller to be honest.

if it wasnt disclosed prior to money changing hands especially.

my $00.02

 

[Dr Heelhook]

Yeah, that "burn mark" means the heat treatment is ruined.

 

[gazz98]

I admit I've never bought a machete but that looks bad. Send it back.

 

[Mr Machete]

Thanks for all the responses. What a warm welcome for a first post.

I kinda worry that more of the blade was damaged than just that spot. An unscrupulous person could easily grind off the heat tint and you wouldn't be any wiser without special equipment.

If you think about it, the color tinting and pattern of that burn mark may evidence that it was caused by the grinding on the opposite side. The three bevels on the unblemished side could have been caused by removing a large area of heat tint from a much larger area of damage. Maybe they didn't realize to check the blemished side after doing all the extra grinding to remove the signs of their mistake on the side that ended up with three bevels.


I'm going to return this one to Amazon, but I dunno if I should have them replace it. I'm worried I'll get another butchered one with all of the heat-tint evidence of the damage removed. Maybe it was a fluke or maybe it's usually hidden. I wonder if i can get the seller to admit to it or if someone at the factory isn't changing belts often enough.

 

[Mr Machete]

I got a dozen or so 18" wood handled Trams on closeout. None have burn marks. None have the last inch+ at the tip sharpened at all. And the grinding is with a fine wheel, no gouges.

I have an 18" OKC, but a lighter 18" might be a nice addition. I'm getting the 24" for the sections of stuff like this(not my property) with brambles and worse growing in and on it:

You're welcome to shoot me a quote for Houston, TX. It's the classic, latin style 18", right?

 

[USMCPOP]

I have an 18" OKC, but a lighter 18" might be a nice addition. I'm getting the 24" for the sections of stuff like this(not my property) with brambles and worse growing in and on it:

You're welcome to shoot me a quote for Houston, TX. It's the classic, latin style 18", right?

Yes, classic style but shipping charges would be high. I got mine locally at Lowe's, mostly to give away to friends. They still sell them, with a sheath.

 

[jbmonkey]

I've never had problems with tram machetes other than just unfinished. if that tram scared ya off of the brand......maybe try imacasa. they make good stuff in that price range. same thing need to finish up the edge though.

 

[Mr Machete]

I've never had problems with tram machetes other than just unfinished. if that tram scared ya off of the brand......maybe try imacasa. they make good stuff in that price range. same thing need to finish up the edge though.

Definitely didn't scare me off. And I've heard lots of good things about Imacasa and the pronounced distal taper sounds great for grassy weeds. I was actually strongly considering an Imacasa Colima/Caguayano, but I couldn't find any in stock. I don't even know if those are legal in Houston since they're sharpened on both sides.


I decided to go ahead and try a replacement through Amazon, since the only other retailer with a 24" had around a 2 week shipping time-frame. The replacement is supposed to arrive tomorrow. I'll probably post pics of the replacement tomorrow evening.

 

[USMCPOP]

The grinds on Machetes in this class are typically terrible, but that one is particularly bad. Still, it would not surprise me at all if this was factory.

In my experience, the grinds these last few years are better, or at least prettier. That goes for Tramontina, Imacasa and Incolma. On those old "courtesy" grinds, they didn't waste time on the grindstone enough to burn the blade. For example, check this video from Incolma. Start at 0:13. The guy is "sharpening" about 10 machetes at once. Also at 3:15 - grinding another part.

 

[jstrange]

I got one recently from Lowe’s and it was horribly dull, especially close to the tip. Mine wasn’t burnt, but based on what I’ve seen it wouldn’t surprise me none either.

 

[USMCPOP]

I got one recently from Lowe’s and it was horribly dull, especially close to the tip. Mine wasn’t burnt, but based on what I’ve seen it wouldn’t surprise me none either.

Yeah, some Trams have a "safety tip." The way some of the campesinos wail on those machetes close to the ground, the tip wouldn't stay sharp anyway. Check this guy at about 4:00 in.

 

[Mr Machete]

UPDATE:It was definitely a factory fluke and I will prove it a little later.

I just need to edit the pictures and then put a coherent post and explanation together. Just bear with me here.

---