Vibration and Impact in a Barong Machete

M

me2

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Oct 11, 2003
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I have an old CS Barong Machete with an 18” blade. It still has the factory edge, though has been lightly used. This is the older style with the Kraton handle.

While using it to cut up some branches left from Helene, chopping into larger branches was difficult if not painful due to vibration and impact from the handle to my hand. Has anyone else experienced this and were you able to solve it?
 
I have the same model from when they were on clearance for $10.00 each in 2010.

I've used them extensively and have not had this problem, but sometimes it is due to the cutting technique or type of wood.

I've definitely experienced this with a two handed brush axe (not CS) which will sometimes sail right through a bush and sometimes stop abruptly, sending painful vibrations up my arm.

When clearing brush or fallen limbs I usually have several cutting tools and switch between them.
 
I have not owned it. However, I can speculate that the issue may be similar to the issue I ran into with my Magnum Kukri Machete. The pommel swell on the handle came to a protruding point both at the top and bottom the the handle, but the top point transferred and concentrated a lot of force into the pinky side of my palm. Frankly I felt the handle was very poorly thought out. I ground off the to protrusion and rounded it over. Problem solved. Might work for you, if the issue you're having is similar. Make sure after you grind it off you sand it smooth (maybe 220 or 400 grit), as that Kraton is quite grippy, and will still be uncomfortable if left too coarse.
 
I have the “smaller” version with a 12” blade. However it is modified from its originally form with the addition of a 5 degree per side (dps) primary bevel. It is an excellent cutter and does not display the same problem with vibration even when it has the factory bevel.

My current plan is to add a similar primary bevel of 4-6 degrees and sharpen at about 15-17 degrees. That should lessen the impact and cut much better. If that doesn’t solve the problem, I’ll take more drastic measures and maybe turn it into a 14” blade copy of the 12” version.
 
Yeah, thick behind the edge would be a problem too. You want it to transfer force into the object, not absorb it back into itself. I also reground my Magnum Kukri Machete. Actually, I eventually cut the Kraton off completely and build a new and longer maple framed hidden tang handle and gave it to mom.
 
I’m going to have to do that to the smaller Barong. The Kraton is a little loose, though still stable.
 
David Mary said:
Yeah, thick behind the edge would be a problem too. You want it to transfer force into the object, not absorb it back into itself. I also reground my Magnum Kukri Machete. Actually, I eventually cut the Kraton off completely and build a new and longer maple framed hidden tang handle and gave it to mom.
Click to expand...
Can you elaborate on how the new handle was made? After some use today, I may have to replace it sooner rather than later.
 
Sure! I haven't actually laid eyes on Mom's machete in years now, but this is a quick and dirty approximate representation from memory.

1737893194155.png
 
Ok. Thats straight forward enough. Did you have to make more holes in the tang? Are the fasteners bolts or pins or dies it matter?
 
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