Small Backpack Machete

[opaul]

I found an old saw mill head saw awhile back and decided to make use of the old boy and make a machete. I'm not sure but the steel is most likely 5160 but regardless it is hardenable steel and the edge came through hard and the blade has flexibility.

 

[geeollie]

Good job man!...You could sell those you know.
My land has briar patches and tree climbing briars. The creek areas get real thick in the summer months. That thing you made looks like a very useful tool.

I own a Condor brand that has a slight kukuri type bend in it. Yours, I think, would be better suited.

 

[kwill1911]

Very nice! I'll be 2nd in line to buy one.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Another functional work of art.

I've always thought it was interesting to see knives made from other items. I've seen files used quite often. Have you ever made a knife from a file? Just curious.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

excellent work

 

[Igiveup]

Very nice, indeed. I just saw, within a day or two, the "How Its Made" program on tv, and they were making machetes from old saw mill round blades on a commercial basis. How long is the blade on yours? I think I need one.

 

[DR505]

Very well done.

I recall one of the best machete I had seen or used was over in the Philippines. A USN Jungle Environmental Survival Training (JEST) instructor for my course was using one made out of a leaf spring from an old pickup truck.

 

[opaul]

Another functional work of art.

I've always thought it was interesting to see knives made from other items. I've seen files used quite often. Have you ever made a knife from a file? Just curious.

Thank you!
I look for old vintage Nicholson files which I understand makes a very good knife steel. But as of yet I have not. I typically work with known steel from reliable mills. I do plan on making a few at some point.
In this case I have done some research on these type blades and the steel is most likely 5160. But before I made the machetes I tested a cut off of the steel. I heat treated it and it was brittle after the quenching and skated a file. It's taking a scary edge.

 

[opaul]

Very nice, indeed. I just saw, within a day or two, the "How Its Made" program on tv, and they were making machetes from old saw mill round blades on a commercial basis. How long is the blade on yours? I think I need one.

I'll have to look that episode up! Thanks for letting me know.
The OAL is 16.5" and the Cutting edge is 12".
Thank you.

 

[Rpg]

You've shared some beautiful knives with us. This is another, for sure!

We all want to know when you'll make some of your handiwork available for us to acquire.

 

[opaul]

Very well done.

I recall one of the best machete I had seen or used was over in the Philippines. A USN Jungle Environmental Survival Training (JEST) instructor for my course was using one made out of a leaf spring from an old pickup truck.

I took the AF survival school there. Those are some nice machetes, the older vintage car leaf springs are preferred for blade smithing.
Thank you.

 

[7tenz]

Looks like a real work of art. I have a similar one by Southern Grind called Grand Daddy in black. Also made of sawmill blades. Zack Brown owns the co. Not a big fan of his music, or any modern country in general. It seems like a pretty decent piece given my lack of knowledge about machetes. I mainly use it as a dust collector. I like it a lot for what it is.

 

[opaul]

Looks like a real work of art. I have a similar one by Southern Grind called Grand Daddy in black. Also made of sawmill blades. Zack Brown owns the co. Not a big fan of his music, or any modern country in general. It seems like a pretty decent piece given my lack of knowledge about machetes. I mainly use it as a dust collector. I like it a lot for what it is.

Thank you.
I'm not familiar with their knives, I'll have to look them up. The black on this machete blade is from leaving the quenching oil residue on the blade. It gets baked on in the tempering process.

 

[Marshwheeling]

That is a good-looking chopper. It looks like it would be at its best on green wood, vines, living limbs and heavy brush. It is just a little longer than the popular Becker BK9 chopper and the same overall length as the Varusteleka Skrama and the ESEE Junglas. I'd buy it.

 

[opaul]

That is a good-looking chopper. It looks like it would be at its best on green wood, vines, living limbs and heavy brush. It is just a little longer than the popular Becker BK9 chopper and the same overall length as the Varusteleka Skrama and the ESEE Junglas. I'd buy it.

Thanks and I agree with your assessment on the job it would perform.

 

[Igiveup]

I looked at my misc. notes and I wrote down Southern Grind when I watched that "How It's Made" program. For what it is worth.

 

[78bagger]

Sweet knife! I use an OKC Kukri for chopping Agave but I'd sure like to give that a try.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Very nice. You do excellent work.

I have several but I didn't make either one. I had an old Collins that had a long heavy blade. I took about 5" off of it and put a different point on it. Works great.

I also have a Bear Grylls Parang Machete. The blade I made looks like this Perang except it's straight.


upload pic