- Joined
- Dec 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,528
Not sure if this goes here or in the Bladesmith's forum as it's more of a customization of sorts. Anyway, mods feel free to move if applicable.
This past fall I purchased this vintage Coup Coup South African machete at the local gun show for $15. It's a hell of a blade, 1/4" thick easy. Just begging for some customizing.
While browsing around for ideas, looking at post-apoc/neo-tribal type stuff, I came across this beast from Rick...his "Marchete" complete with axe handle.
Wow...this is it! This is exactly what I was looking for! So, in a tribute to this bad ass piece of steel, I decided to create my own using the bare blade of the Coup Coup.
First (no pics) I sanded and cleaned up the blade, straightened a warp in the tang after removing the old handle.
Next, I procured an axe handle. I tried to find something old, perhaps broken that I could salvage...but no one I know keeps broken axe handles...lol. So I bought a hickory True Temper handle from Lowe's and set to work. I measured where I wanted the handle to start with a combination of both straight and then the curved end. This was going to be (hopefully) one or two hand wielded. I cut the handle then cut a groove in the handle to accept the tang.
Blade and handle:
[URL=http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/GrizzlyKnives/media/IMAG0441_zps9e234851.jpg.html]
Test fitting for size:
Looks good, I like how it feels and I think it'll work great.
After bedding the tang in slow cure epoxy and allowed to cure for 2 days, I decided to pin the handle using 1/4" brass rod. I drilled 2 holes just a tad oversize and lightly reamed them out on both sides. I cut the brass a shade too long and then peined them into place then working the tops over.
In hand shots; low grip:
High grip:
And a shot in the leaves in 5 degrees:
Fast forward a bit. I took a torch and accented the handle with burning the grain, I love this look. Then, to give the blade an old look, I worked on various patinas. First creating a deep grey with ferric chloride and bleach. Then multiple runs of hot sauce gave me the mottled appearance I wanted.
Next 2 shots are after the final hot sauce patina and oiling as well as dyeing the handle with Saddle Tan leather dye.
Today I was at it again while slow at work. I had bought a spool of jute and test wrapped it, but wanted the jute darker. Someone had left a pot of coffee burning away for a few days prior...it was thick and black. I dipped my jute into the coffee and soaked it through, made it a really nice color that at first was very close to the saddle tan. I did my wrap using a whip style and then applied Titebond 2 thinned with water in light coats and allowed to soak in. After it was dry, I applied a coat of mink oil worked in with my hands and heat. The wrap will get 2 turk's head knots to finish it up.
Next up...I can't decide if I want to add the hole towards the tip (like a cleaver) or leave it be like Rick's. I'm also considering adding a hole at the end of the handle and putting on a tassle of some kind.
What do you guys think?
This past fall I purchased this vintage Coup Coup South African machete at the local gun show for $15. It's a hell of a blade, 1/4" thick easy. Just begging for some customizing.
While browsing around for ideas, looking at post-apoc/neo-tribal type stuff, I came across this beast from Rick...his "Marchete" complete with axe handle.
Wow...this is it! This is exactly what I was looking for! So, in a tribute to this bad ass piece of steel, I decided to create my own using the bare blade of the Coup Coup.
First (no pics) I sanded and cleaned up the blade, straightened a warp in the tang after removing the old handle.
Next, I procured an axe handle. I tried to find something old, perhaps broken that I could salvage...but no one I know keeps broken axe handles...lol. So I bought a hickory True Temper handle from Lowe's and set to work. I measured where I wanted the handle to start with a combination of both straight and then the curved end. This was going to be (hopefully) one or two hand wielded. I cut the handle then cut a groove in the handle to accept the tang.
Blade and handle:
[URL=http://s1319.photobucket.com/user/GrizzlyKnives/media/IMAG0441_zps9e234851.jpg.html]
Test fitting for size:
Looks good, I like how it feels and I think it'll work great.
After bedding the tang in slow cure epoxy and allowed to cure for 2 days, I decided to pin the handle using 1/4" brass rod. I drilled 2 holes just a tad oversize and lightly reamed them out on both sides. I cut the brass a shade too long and then peined them into place then working the tops over.
In hand shots; low grip:
High grip:
And a shot in the leaves in 5 degrees:
Fast forward a bit. I took a torch and accented the handle with burning the grain, I love this look. Then, to give the blade an old look, I worked on various patinas. First creating a deep grey with ferric chloride and bleach. Then multiple runs of hot sauce gave me the mottled appearance I wanted.
Next 2 shots are after the final hot sauce patina and oiling as well as dyeing the handle with Saddle Tan leather dye.
Today I was at it again while slow at work. I had bought a spool of jute and test wrapped it, but wanted the jute darker. Someone had left a pot of coffee burning away for a few days prior...it was thick and black. I dipped my jute into the coffee and soaked it through, made it a really nice color that at first was very close to the saddle tan. I did my wrap using a whip style and then applied Titebond 2 thinned with water in light coats and allowed to soak in. After it was dry, I applied a coat of mink oil worked in with my hands and heat. The wrap will get 2 turk's head knots to finish it up.
Next up...I can't decide if I want to add the hole towards the tip (like a cleaver) or leave it be like Rick's. I'm also considering adding a hole at the end of the handle and putting on a tassle of some kind.
What do you guys think?
