Would you consider making a GOOD machete? Made from spring steel? About $100-$150. No fancy wood on the handle, just something that can get wet and knocked around. I really like these guys: http://zombietools.net/tools/ but I don't need all of the decorative additions, fancy (if I could find another word for it I would) handles, and acid etched blades. I like their choice of steels, and their blade designs. The Zack Axe would be a great brush beater and chopper. Besides, they are too busy filling backorders- good for them! I just want a regular cutlass style machete with a standard double convex grind, like most normal knives. The ability to fit in a GI plastic sheath would be great, too- I have a few of them lying around.
The zombie tool (very pretty) has an advantage and a disadvantage. With the fat front, the weight will help with brush whacking. The shape will tend to hang up if it doesn't go all the way thru on the first swing, or if the thick (deep?) part is behind the thing you are trying to cut. Meaning, the length of the blade will be a bit less useful in brush of varying thickness. I prefer a straight edge, myownself, with weight forward.. And a full "cutlass" handguard is very good to have, both from an anti slip and knuckle protection standpoint. FWIW, sharpening similarly to an axe rather than hollow ground will allow easier sharpening in the field, and a stronger edge. jmo, uv cuss.
I just realized today that I have no way to heat treat a blade over 5" long. Don't know how I'd make a machete now!
Hey Don... O-1 is pretty forgiving.... "torch" it to non-magnetic and then quench it in some good virgin olive oil.... then "torch" the spine to draw back the edge temper to a good straw color.... you can make the quench tank out of anything long enough for your blade... heck.. you could line a cardboard box with foil...
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