WiP! Trail Cutlass

it's been suggested that the blade for this model should be between 14-20", do any of you have an opinion about that? 'Cutlass' is a pretty open ended descriptor suggesting a fairly wide ranging usage, but in my research they tended toward the blade length that was suggested

modifications to the blade length at this time are easy, but once I start cutting steel it will be quite a bit more difficult to add any length on. I don't know how well several inches of JB Weld would hold up to testing but I expect probably not very well
 
Lorien said:
it's been suggested that the blade for this model should be between 14-20", do any of you have an opinion about that? 'Cutlass' is a pretty open ended descriptor suggesting a fairly wide ranging usage, but in my research they tended toward the blade length that was suggested

modifications to the blade length at this time are easy, but once I start cutting steel it will be quite a bit more difficult to add any length on. I don't know how well several inches of JB Weld would hold up to testing but I expect probably not very well
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Yes, for a machete, I'd definitely prefer a bit longer of a blade than ~12".

As Elliott mentioned a 15" blade for an all-purpose machete is a good start.

I've used even longer Latin machetes in the ~22" blade range, but what I've found personally, was that the longer machetes are going to be biased more for thinner/lighter blades suited best for brush and lighter foliage, with the shorter machetes able to have thicker, comparably heavier blades that allowed for more varied use.

My dad had an old British made machete. Can't recall the name of the manufacturer, but I recall seeing the "Made In Great Britain" stamp. Thicker ~16" blade that had a great combo of swing speed for brush and light saplings, but much better chopping ability than a standard 22" blade Tramontina.

Similarly, I kept my Behemother and sold my Behemoth, because while both have 12" blades, the Behemother has significantly more chopping power, while I personally felt the lighter swing weight of the Behemoth, but with a 12" blade, made it a little too short for my preferences as a wide/varied use heavy machete.

It's one of the reasons I'd asked a while back about you mentioning a longer LC. I LOVE the LC's blade profile, and would absolutely be down for a ~15-18" blade version.
 
So exciting and so many variables ! At .1875 I’m picturing a Light Chopper with a significantly longer blade. Of course, you mentioned a “unique handle shape” and we don’t know the blade width. To me “Trail Sabre” suggest a machete-like blade with a hand guard and slight curve that will absolutely reap F-ing havoc on any brush (or opposing cavalry) that stands in the way…..

Hmmm? Interested in other ideas to see where this project goes.
 
B bluemax_1

Martindale?

I have one of their goloks. I like it.

(Not my image.)

maxresdefault.jpg
 
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Blues said:
B bluemax_1

Martindale?

I have one of their goloks. I like it.

(Not my image.)

maxresdefault.jpg
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I don't think it was a Martindale. I don't recall the Martindale crocodile.

It's been quite a while, but from what I recall, it was stamped near the hilt, and I vaguely recall the name/brand being on top and slightly curved, with...Sheffield or Birmingham England? Below.

Dad acquired it traveling in South East Asia, and said it was supposedly issued to British troops in WW2 (he also acquired an old Mk2 pattern kukri from a Gurkha for some assistance he provided, which I also 'appropriated' and as I'd mentioned before, carried and used for a time in the Boy Scouts lol).

Compared to many Latin machetes, that British machete had a slightly thicker, and much stiffer blade. Couldn't really flex the blade with my hands, unlike the Tramontina machetes.
 
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bluemax_1 said:
I don't think it was a Martindale. I don't recall the Martindale crocodile.

It's been quite a while, but from what I recall, it was stamped near the hilt, and I vaguely recall the name/brand being on top and slightly curved, with...Sheffield or Birmingham England? Below.

Dad acquired it traveling in South East Asia, and said it was supposedly issued to British troops in WW2 (he also acquired an old Mk2 pattern kukri from a Gurkha for some assistance he provided, which I also 'appropriated' and as I'd mentioned before, carried and used for a time in the Boy Scouts lol)
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Can't help. Martindale was issued to British military but I don't know what other brands may have been as well.
 
Lorien said:
it's been suggested that the blade for this model should be between 14-20", do any of you have an opinion about that? 'Cutlass' is a pretty open ended descriptor suggesting a fairly wide ranging usage, but in my research they tended toward the blade length that was suggested... modifications to the blade length at this time are easy, but once I start cutting steel it will be quite a bit more difficult to add any length on.
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I don't know what kind of handle idea/concept design you were cooking up but I was wondering about the posted 6" handle length to go with the 11.75" blade length?

Could the handle length be scaled back to ~5.5"/5.75"and then also bump up blade to ~12"/12.5"?

I suppose however, that increasing the blade up to ~14"/16"/18"/20" in length would then correspond and go better with longer handle lengths?...
 
OK, after more thought and a little research, I feel like the 2 Blues are on to something. 15 inches is my sweet spot. Btw, this statement is not open to further speculation, interpretation, or requests for services rendered !!! 😎
 
This monstrous thing was my brother's. I remember him mentioning that it was Sheffield-made but there are no markings that I can see, though I haven't pulled the homemade handle job off to see if anything is under there. I suspect that it is a homemade affair all around.

Regardless, he was really proud of it. Measures 31 3/4" OAL, with a 26" blade. The steel itself is 1/8" thick!

GWXZTh8.jpg
 
Pàdruig said:
This monstrous thing was my brother's. I remember him mentioning that it was Sheffield-made but there are no markings that I can see, though I haven't pulled the homemade handle job off to see if anything is under there. I suspect that it is a homemade affair all around.

Regardless, he was really proud of it. Measures 31 3/4" OAL, with a 26" blade. The steel itself is 1/8" thick!

GWXZTh8.jpg
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Very, very cool !!! That being said, I have backpacks and I have “mountain packs”. One would need to buy an ATV or a horse to wield that big ‘ol sum beotch. Proof that one man’s preferred steel isn’t always the same length as another’s…I better leave it there or a couple “you know who’s “ are gonna join in to keep this phallic. I’m still voting for a modest 15 .
Blues said:
But will it play in Peoria?
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Had a sweet and beautiful GF in Peoria, back during the early days of “service”. Saw my first hockey game there, also. Good times !
 
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