What is your favourite machete?

The Rozador pattern is essentially like a semi-flared Panga with the point clipped off -- not technically, 'cause it's really an EXTRA little bit of material ADDED to the back of the point, but visually and conceptually it's easier to think of it that way. A great heavy chopping pattern.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
The Rozador pattern is essentially like a semi-flared Panga with the point clipped off -- not technically, 'cause it's really an EXTRA little bit of material ADDED to the back of the point, but visually and conceptually it's easier to think of it that way. A great heavy chopping pattern.
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This one has a lot of taper so it's not much heavier than a standard Latin of the same size , but it delivers a ton of power in the cut.
It really just sails through brushy growth.

I don't need another machete at all, but want one and am not sure if I want to track down another 16" gavilan or check out the 18" Imicasa.
I've also been interested in the 14" Tramontina Bolo, and if I'm buying another I should probably try one of those out first.
Then there's the 14" gavilan Barrigon, the blade on mine isn't perfectly straight and I'd like to get another that isn't warped.
Finding a replacement for that one is probably higher on my list even though the warp has not effected it in any way, if I can find the same one I'll be happy but I don't really care if it's a gavilan Imicasa or Tramontina as long as it's very similar.
 
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Hickory n steel said:
This one has a lot of taper so it's not much heavier than a standard Latin of the same size , but it delivers a ton of power in the cut.
It really just sails through brushy growth.

I don't need another machete at all, but want one and am not sure if I want to track down another 16" gavilan or check out the 18" Imicasa.
I've also been interested in the 14" Tramontina Bolo, and if I'm buying another I should probably try one of those out first.
Then there's the 14" gavilan Barrigon, the blade on mine isn't perfectly straight and I'd like to get another that isn't warped.
Finding a replacement for that one is probably higher on my list even though the warp has not effected it in any way, if I can find the same one I'll be happy but I don't really care if it's a gavilan Imicasa or Tramontina as long as it's very similar.
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Yeah they usually have a decent amount of taper to 'em. Very thin near the tip! As far as your warped blade, just hammer it straight. It's what they do at the factory, anyhow.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Yeah they usually have a decent amount of taper to 'em. Very thin near the tip! As far as your warped blade, just hammer it straight. It's what they do at the factory, anyhow.
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Can this be done without a carbide straightening hammer? I have a couple that are a bit kinked, was planning on banging one together at some point, but if it can be done with a regular ball pein I'll do that instead.
 
Wild Willie said:
Can this be done without a carbide straightening hammer? I have a couple that are a bit kinked, was planning on banging one together at some point, but if it can be done with a regular ball pein I'll do that instead.
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A plain ol' cross peen or engineer's hammer works fine. Just takes a quick sharp blow or two.
 
Wild Willie said:
Can this be done without a carbide straightening hammer? I have a couple that are a bit kinked, was planning on banging one together at some point, but if it can be done with a regular ball pein I'll do that instead.
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I just took his advice to straighten the machete myself ( I have others to do as well ) and this is what I used.

I took an old drilling hammer head that I keep around as a small anvil like surface ( the faces are a bit domed ) and clamped it in my bench vise.
20240830_192748.jpg
Then took my favorite 14oz ball peen hammer to it, you want a good ball peen that has a domed main face to it.
20240830_192830.jpg
at least I believe that this was the key to my success here, experts may advise otherwise.
To be clear I did not use the ball end of this hammer, that would just leave little dimples and probably do very little to straighten anything.

I do not have a before or after picture because my phone wouldn't focus on it, but this machete was warped multiple ways going down the spine.
It is a tad wavy at the spine now, but the blade is no longer bent in any direction and the edge is straight and centered.
 
Yeah I generally like a broad face with a nice gradual crown to in in all axes. I have a Rinaldi sledge hammer I stuck on a short handle (and polished one face on, while leaving the other brushed finish for more damaging tasks) and usually give it one or two good whacks with that (using more weight than arm due to the head weight) and it sorts it right out. Nice and simple, and no obvious hammer marks.
 
Jack of All Blades said:
Condor Machetes are my favorite. But Huntsman Knife Co. LLC. Huntsman Knife Co. LLC. Those are some fine machetes! If you ever make a two handed one Ill be interested for sure.
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The Great Two Handed Fell Beast is in the works. :thumbsup: :cool: This is my concept. However this model has many things working against it, mainly the price point. It would have to be a very small run with the blades hand ground and the scales done the old fashioned way. BUT it would rip.

bC7ReyD.png
 
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FortyTwoBlades said:
A plain ol' cross peen or engineer's hammer works fine. Just takes a quick sharp blow or two.
Click to expand...

Hickory n steel said:
I just took his advice to straighten the machete myself ( I have others to do as well ) and this is what I used.

I took an old drilling hammer head that I keep around as a small anvil like surface ( the faces are a bit domed ) and clamped it in my bench vise.
View attachment 2649728
Then took my favorite 14oz ball peen hammer to it, you want a good ball peen that has a domed main face to it.
View attachment 2649730
at least I believe that this was the key to my success here, experts may advise otherwise.
To be clear I did not use the ball end of this hammer, that would just leave little dimples and probably do very little to straighten anything.

I do not have a before or after picture because my phone wouldn't focus on it, but this machete was warped multiple ways going down the spine.
It is a tad wavy at the spine now, but the blade is no longer bent in any direction and the edge is straight and centered.
Click to expand...
Thanks gents. Looks like I've got a new project. 👍
 
Hickory n steel said:
I just took his advice to straighten the machete myself ( I have others to do as well ) and this is what I used.

I took an old drilling hammer head that I keep around as a small anvil like surface ( the faces are a bit domed ) and clamped it in my bench vise.
View attachment 2649728
Then took my favorite 14oz ball peen hammer to it, you want a good ball peen that has a domed main face to it.
View attachment 2649730
at least I believe that this was the key to my success here, experts may advise otherwise.
To be clear I did not use the ball end of this hammer, that would just leave little dimples and probably do very little to straighten anything.

I do not have a before or after picture because my phone wouldn't focus on it, but this machete was warped multiple ways going down the spine.
It is a tad wavy at the spine now, but the blade is no longer bent in any direction and the edge is straight and centered.
Click to expand...

Good job on fixing your blade!!!

Showing a picture. Here is a blank of hardened CPM Cruwear that has been straightened. (While Hard)
It was hit/tapped with a carbide hammer. The hardened ball is kinda looking like the round ball of a ball peen hammer.

It's that small area of impact that creates such a large force (psi) the impact displaces the metal. Subtle enough, but enough and with Many of them can change the shape, straightening the blank..... Tap, Tap, Tap....
 
Huntsman Knife Co. LLC. said:
The Great Two Handed Fell Beast is in the works. :thumbsup: :cool: This is my concept. However this model has many things working against it, mainly the price point. It would have to be a very small run with the blades hand ground and the scales done the old fashioned way. BUT it would rip.

bC7ReyD.png
Click to expand...

Cool/Fun Looking monster!!!
Depending on blade thickness, id maybe leave the rear cutout in the tang, solid. To act as some counter balance. ?
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Cool/Fun Looking monster!!!
Depending on blade thickness, id maybe leave the rear cutout in the tang, solid. To act as some counter balance. ?
Click to expand...

It may do better with a solid tang. Good news is, if I make them by hand, I can cut a solid tang and then always drill some holes to reduce the weight if necessary.
 
sabrecat19 said:
I just finished reading the thread. Very interesting.

I know that I want a machete but not sure what type. You guys are not helping any. :)
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Context is mostly what determines the best match! Think about where you'd be using it, and what you'd mostly be doing with it, what you'd sometimes be doing with it, and rarely doing with it (but still need it able to handle.) It can be easier to narrow it down once you know that prioritized ordering.
 
sabrecat19 said:
I just finished reading the thread. Very interesting.

I know that I want a machete but not sure what type. You guys are not helping any. :)
Click to expand...

It might seem pretty overwhelming at first.....?

But Really there are only 2 main types of machetes.

1. Sunday dinner machetes.
2. Lend to your neighbor machetes.

Both are valid, and needed, you just need to decide this one right away.
 
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