Machete Modifications Tutorial Part One

[Pict]

Machete Modifications Tutorial Part One

Machete Modifications Tutorial Part Two

A few years ago I realized that I hated new machetes and much preferred my old worn out ones. I sat down and took a good hard look at my blades to figure out why and discovered that I had been transforming the blades to have a high, flat, sharp edge at the base and a robust convex forward of that. I also had squared off the spine of the machete to make tinder shavings and rounded off the forward portion of the spine because it was tearing up my hand. Ever since I started modifying my new machetes to that configuration from the start I never looked back. This is the process I put my new machetes through, feel free to use it if you think it would work for you. Just remember where you got it.

A little over a year ago I posted my first machete modification video. Since then I have had numerous requests as to how I put the modifications on the blades and how I sharpen a machete. The first part of this two part video shows how to take a new Tramontina 16 inch machete and do the basic file work necessary to put a scandi edge at the base of the blade, convex the forward portion, and create both square and round sections on the spine.

The only tools needed for these mods are a large single cut mill file, two "C" clamps, sandpaper and a work bench. Of course the actual process takes much longer than the video, I eliminated much of the repetitive filing from the video but left in all the steps of the process.

Safety Warning: You do this at your own risk. The process demonstrated involves filing a machete blade towards the edge. That is inherently dangerous, as are machetes, files, and workshops in general. Never leave a machete blade clamped to the edge of a workbench, you run the risk of someone bumping into it. Whenever you stop working, remove the blade from the clamp and place it in a safe location.

The second video (I'll upload it later this week) shows how I correct the grinds and sharpen using a Smith's Tri-Hone. I have found this simple sharpening system to be very useful. The final result is a machete that is sharp along its entire length and gives me a variety of edges to work with in the bush. It is also an edge that I can maintain simply in the bush with a small diamond rod.

Mac

[crashdive123]

Not able to pull up the vid - I'll try again later.

[crashdive123]

It's up. Nice tutorial as always.

[your_comforting_company]

Nice tutorial video. I'm not entirely sure I understand the reason for all the modifications. Perhaps you can elaborate?

I get the rounding of the back of the blade so you dont hurt your hand, but the edge angle to me seems a little too acute. Wouldn't this require resharpening more often?

[Pict]

Nice tutorial video. I'm not entirely sure I understand the reason for all the modifications. Perhaps you can elaborate?

I get the rounding of the back of the blade so you dont hurt your hand, but the edge angle to me seems a little too acute. Wouldn't this require resharpening more often?

The mod gives you two cutting edges on the blade. The convex edge forward is optimized for chopping. The convex bites deep and has plenty of steel backing up the edge to prevent damage.

The short section of scandi edge at the base is optimized for cutting, slicing, and shaving. This area of the blade rarely if ever touches anything when chopping so it is possible to use it as a very sharp section and maintain it as such. It allows you to choke up close to it and use the machete blade for finer detail cutting like making trap triggers and such.

The rear portion of the spine is left as a sharp right angle. This can be used against hardwoods as a scraper that will produce a handful of very fine wood shavings as tinder.

The rounded forward spine allows you to hold the back of the blade either pushing or pulling to use the rear of the spine to make scrapings or the scandi edge like a draw knife.

The rounded spine also doesn't tear up a baton so much if you are using the center of the blade for splitting.

Mac

[mcgyver]

Mac,
I used to use a bolo in the field about 20yrs ago, but never modified it.
I did your modifications to my new Tramontina Bolo two days after it arrived.
I couldn't be happier with the multiple use edges.
Great Tutorial!
I look forward to part II.

[your_comforting_company]

excellent description. I understand now, you took a basic tool and made it a multi-tool.

I will be making these mods to my machete very soon.

Thanks for the explanation Mac. Just Excellent!

[finallyME]

How do you feel the Tramontina compares with the ontario?

[Ole WV Coot]

Reworked my Ontario when you first posted and I find I use it
much more now. I now see what I've missed. Guess I ain't too old to learn. Thanks Again

[Pict]

Just a bump to say Part Two is up.

Mac

[crashdive123]

Excellent tutorial!

Also - this was a first for me - to hear a preacher say "beat the snot out of your blade".

[NCO]

Great tutorial! My father did that with his new billhook ("vesuri")
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
It was just like that one on the picture. He did almost exactly the same treatment to the blade. The back of the blade he didn't touch and he also made the hook at the "tip" of the blade extra sharp.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Reworked my Ontario when you first posted and I find I use it
much more now. I now see what I've missed. Guess I ain't too old to learn. Thanks Again

Like OWVC I like my machete much better now. I actually ordered an Ontario 12" machete and as soon as it arrived I made my mods to it. All Because of Picts modification video. Never was a big fan of machetes 'til this video. Sold me on it's usefulness. I still don't want a really big one since I'm not in the jungle and I want it to be attachable to my Backpack. But Pict had a 12" Ontario in one of his Videos and I decided it was the right one for me. Verrrrry Good Pict. Now a Machete is part of my Woodsmans tool kit.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

OK after getting caught up with all our moving and stuff I FINALLY got a chance to actually watch these videos. I now know that I have more work to do to my machete, as I never did put the scandi grind on mine. Oh well It is only a minor mod to do so I will get it done this week. Minor mod-lot of file work. LOL Thanks again Mac!! Maybe they will make a song after you, instead of Mac the knife, it will be Mac The Machete Man!!!

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I am goona use your back of the blade treatment on my bushman bowie. It has already chewed up my hand once when debarking a hiking pole. I will also remove the extermely pointy end.

[Batch]

Which Ontario is best in your opinions.

The 8292 Econo or the 8295 or something else.

[hunter63]

Great vids, I like your thinking on creating a great multi tool.
Like your sharping techniques.
Thanks

[Rick]

Always very nice, Mac. Great job.

[Batch]

Which Ontario is best in your opinions.

The 8292 Econo or the 8295 or something else.

I want to thank everyone for the replies...

I ordered 3 of the 8295 and 3 sheaths. I'll do the mods and make 2 of them Christmas gifts.

[crashdive123]

I want to thank everyone for the replies...

I ordered 3 of the 8295 and 3 sheaths. I'll do the mods and make 2 of them Christmas gifts.

Don't own one, have never used one. Guess I could have made something up if all you wanted was a reply.