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Post by Rain on Apr 26, 2024 0:29:04 GMT
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AJGBlack
Member
"This world will stress you like Orson Wells on the radio." -RTJ
Posts: 393
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Post by AJGBlack on Apr 26, 2024 0:52:15 GMT
I've been eyeing this one as well. I'd want to extend the plunge line and regrip it all together, but I really like the blade profile.
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Post by mrstabby on Apr 26, 2024 9:46:09 GMT
As a machete I find the weight a bit too much, and I have no idea where it should be. It's a 2,5mm thick blade, kind of like my Tramontina 20" which is 2,8mm thick, but that one is only 500g/1,1lbs. Grip is over-molded I think, would be a hell of a time regripping it. Might also have to drill some holes into the tang.
Schrade has their Decimate machete that looks similar, always felt drawn to it, but I don't want a 17" 3Cr stainless blade.
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AJGBlack
Member
"This world will stress you like Orson Wells on the radio." -RTJ
Posts: 393
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Post by AJGBlack on Apr 26, 2024 13:56:53 GMT
As a machete I find the weight a bit too much, and I have no idea where it should be. It's a 2,5mm thick blade, kind of like my Tramontina 20" which is 2,8mm thick, but that one is only 500g/1,1lbs. Grip is over-molded I think, would be a hell of a time regripping it. Might also have to drill some holes into the tang.
Schrade has their Decimate machete that looks similar, always felt drawn to it, but I don't want a 17" 3Cr stainless blade.
I feel that. The Decimate and it's previous version, The Priscilla always had an appeal to me silhouette wise, but the steel used and the reviews warned me away. And yeah, removing an overmold grip can suck, but a saw some hot water and some free time is all it really takes lol
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Post by warriorpoet on Apr 26, 2024 15:50:20 GMT
I'd love the decimate...looks like a mini orcrist from the hobbit, lol.
But not even gonna drop that amount for a brittle stainless that the 2-4 inch hardwoods would chew up in no time.
Cold steel uses 1055 and keeps costs down, that design in 1055 would already be on its way over lol.
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Post by mrstabby on Apr 26, 2024 16:17:16 GMT
I'd love the decimate...looks like a mini orcrist from the hobbit, lol. But not even gonna drop that amount for a brittle stainless that the 2-4 inch hardwoods would chew up in no time. Cold steel uses 1055 and keeps costs down, that design in 1055 would already be on its way over lol. Indeed, maybe someone should tell Cold Steel But is 1075 really that much more expensive than 1055? My Tramontinas are 1075 and cost half of the CS 1055 stuff, they also perform better because they are harder - admittedly CS has some very cool designs where Tramontina only has typical machete styles. In the end I'd take the design of the Decimate in any high carbon steel, but not from Condor, that stuff is too pricey around Europe for what it is. Tried out the Atrox recently, quality was a tiny bit better than the CS machetes, but not worth three times as much.
With stainless I always see 2 possibilities with these long blades: Either it's too hard and brittle and gonna shatter or tempered soft to get the toughness needed, either way it's not gonna survive use on wood. I have seen a 420 gladius machete being used on a bush, it looked like somebody tried to chop gravel. Speaking of gladii, the Condor Mainz Gladius is one of the only ones I actually like the grip of, but it's almost 250€ and reported to be overly heavy (as is common with Condor), not sure if I could use it, 1250g/2,8lbs and a 10cm/4" PoB.
The weird thing is, Schrade does offer some knives in 1095 and 65Mn - why not this one?
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Post by warriorpoet on Apr 26, 2024 17:49:36 GMT
It's funny, as i was typing that reply I was wondering why not 1075? Even 1060. I hear 1095 can end up a bit brittle, but I know windlass does a lot in the 1060 steel and it's proven pretty tough. I have their scottish dirk with the wood handle, pretty sure it's 1060. Definitely seems stay sharper longer than the 1055.
Even that seems to vary. I think after my machete binge I have most all the cold steel examples.
My gladius will cut down a forest with no perceptible edge damage. My royal kukri needs touched up after every use in my yard. Same steel, same manufacturer.
I'd love to see a little more love added to the cs machete line. Some are brilliant designs, almost munitions like swords for less than 30 bucks often enough. Inconsistent grinds for sure, and the over molded handles work better on some designs than others.
I can't imagine bumping up the steel to 1075 would add all that much cost. There are definitely models I would re buy...
Chinese War sword Waki Gladius Barong Tanto Royal kukri/kukri Cutlass Kopis (with thicker steel, this one is so thin!) Black bear bowie
Geez, that is most of them...lol
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Post by mrstabby on Apr 27, 2024 15:28:26 GMT
It's funny, as i was typing that reply I was wondering why not 1075? Even 1060. I hear 1095 can end up a bit brittle, but I know windlass does a lot in the 1060 steel and it's proven pretty tough. I have their scottish dirk with the wood handle, pretty sure it's 1060. Definitely seems stay sharper longer than the 1055. Even that seems to vary. I think after my machete binge I have most all the cold steel examples. My gladius will cut down a forest with no perceptible edge damage. My royal kukri needs touched up after every use in my yard. Same steel, same manufacturer. I'd love to see a little more love added to the cs machete line. Some are brilliant designs, almost munitions like swords for less than 30 bucks often enough. Inconsistent grinds for sure, and the over molded handles work better on some designs than others. I can't imagine bumping up the steel to 1075 would add all that much cost. There are definitely models I would re buy... Chinese War sword Waki Gladius Barong Tanto Royal kukri/kukri Cutlass Kopis (with thicker steel, this one is so thin!) Black bear bowie Geez, that is most of them...lol I have: Cutlass - not a fan until I added a pommel of sorts Jungle - hate it, much too blade-heavy Kopis - love it, grip could be smaller and the blade thicker, but it's so much fun Black Bear - loved it until I got Bowie Machete - grip feels better and it is much swifter; if you like the Black Bear, you'll love this one, the rust protection paint is different though, more rough than on Black Bear or Cutlass, similar to the Kopis, bit more work to clean 8I might just wax it someday, but I'm not in the mood ) EDIT: The grip geopmetry is better, the surface is kinda sharp but I bet it's gonna work itsef down, grip is like on the Kukuris. Kukuri plus incoming Maybe gonna get the Royal Kukuri as well, been flip-flopping between it and the Magnum, it's not much smaller, like an inch, but looks better to me. Also looked at the Barong, but I was unsure - maybe could you tell me a PoB for it? I was afraid it's gonna feel as heavy as the Jungle machete, and I just can't use it because it feels too heavy, like an axe. I never could get used to the grip on the Waki/Tanto. Don't like them. Haven't seen the war sword, very hard to get in EU it seems.
I have exchanged the CS Gladius for an UC Gladius, I like it much better, bit less sturdy, but the grip feels better. I am also very much eyeing the UC Thai Gladius, if I ever see it for under 90€..
I have an addiction to cheap blades. I always say to myself "I can abuse them, not much lost" and then baby them in the end....
EDIT: I just found the Decimate series is around 50-52HRC, that's quite hard for 3Cr, I imagine it would be relatively brittle and that's why it's 4mm thick. I have seen a few broken blades while googling unfortunately. 3Cr being similar to 420 should be 48HRC at maximum to be usable as machete, but at the cost of bending like taffy...
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Post by markus313 on Apr 27, 2024 20:11:55 GMT
I have an unused CS Chinese War Sword machete I'd be wiling to sell. CS barong machete weight: 720 g, pob: 11 cm from hilt. Felt pretty heavy to me.
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Post by warriorpoet on Apr 27, 2024 21:40:55 GMT
It's funny, as i was typing that reply I was wondering why not 1075? Even 1060. I hear 1095 can end up a bit brittle, but I know windlass does a lot in the 1060 steel and it's proven pretty tough. I have their scottish dirk with the wood handle, pretty sure it's 1060. Definitely seems stay sharper longer than the 1055. Even that seems to vary. I think after my machete binge I have most all the cold steel examples. My gladius will cut down a forest with no perceptible edge damage. My royal kukri needs touched up after every use in my yard. Same steel, same manufacturer. I'd love to see a little more love added to the cs machete line. Some are brilliant designs, almost munitions like swords for less than 30 bucks often enough. Inconsistent grinds for sure, and the over molded handles work better on some designs than others. I can't imagine bumping up the steel to 1075 would add all that much cost. There are definitely models I would re buy... Chinese War sword Waki Gladius Barong Tanto Royal kukri/kukri Cutlass Kopis (with thicker steel, this one is so thin!) Black bear bowie Geez, that is most of them...lol I have: Cutlass - not a fan until I added a pommel of sorts Jungle - hate it, much too blade-heavy Kopis - love it, grip could be smaller and the blade thicker, but it's so much fun Black Bear - loved it until I got Bowie Machete - grip feels better and it is much swifter; if you like the Black Bear, you'll love this one, the rust protection paint is different though, more rough than on Black Bear or Cutlass, similar to the Kopis, bit more work to clean 8I might just wax it someday, but I'm not in the mood ) EDIT: The grip geopmetry is better, the surface is kinda sharp but I bet it's gonna work itsef down, grip is like on the Kukuris. Kukuri plus incoming Maybe gonna get the Royal Kukuri as well, been flip-flopping between it and the Magnum, it's not much smaller, like an inch, but looks better to me. Also looked at the Barong, but I was unsure - maybe could you tell me a PoB for it? I was afraid it's gonna feel as heavy as the Jungle machete, and I just can't use it because it feels too heavy, like an axe. I never could get used to the grip on the Waki/Tanto. Don't like them. Haven't seen the war sword, very hard to get in EU it seems.
I have exchanged the CS Gladius for an UC Gladius, I like it much better, bit less sturdy, but the grip feels better. I am also very much eyeing the UC Thai Gladius, if I ever see it for under 90€..
I have an addiction to cheap blades. I always say to myself "I can abuse them, not much lost" and then baby them in the end....
EDIT: I just found the Decimate series is around 50-52HRC, that's quite hard for 3Cr, I imagine it would be relatively brittle and that's why it's 4mm thick. I have seen a few broken blades while googling unfortunately. 3Cr being similar to 420 should be 48HRC at maximum to be usable as machete, but at the cost of bending like taffy...
Doing some laundry, I took out the barong. I haven't had a chance to put it to use yet. I recommend this one. The grip is really nice, kind of a pistol grip. This model has a great "ring" when you unsheath it, which is nice. The Count Dooku style grip is interesting and fun to practice my forms with. It's a pretty thick blade, I think it'll be great for Hardee targets. The only thing I can tell just from experience is that it will really want to cut only on the upper belly, the sweet spot, if that makes since. It's am interesting blade shape, kind of reminds me of a wookie ryyk blade (second star wars reference? Huh...). Do you have any of the kukri machetes? My second cs machete was the standard kukri. The thinness surprised me, but it cuts well and holds an edge well. It has hit many nails and rocks and held up. The reason I ask is the kukri and royal kukri have a different grip that I love. They are soft and grippy and work great. The royal kukri despite having a softer temper than the other models on my example is one of my favorites. The extreme blade angle builds the power into the cut. It's very comfortable and versatile. I'd like to get the kukri plus, because the standard kukri has no guard and I don't want to risk sliding up the blade if I had to stab for some reason. The 1055 is easy to keep hair popping sharp. Handing the barong, it balanced for me about 5 inches up the blade. Makes for a mean chop. I love the black bear bowie. Its razor sharp. I love that the rear swedge is sharpened. What I really like about it is how light it is. It's easy to strap to your pack or even your belt. It isn't really noticeable, but even though it's a knife, it clears brush like a machete. It's slices well and holds its edge well. Definitely a keeper. I'm not a fan of the thicker over molded grips, as are on the jungle machete, the kopis...they're very think and hurt my hand on harder chops. They transfer all the impact and vibration into the bones of my hand. I have xl hands but I can not really comfortably hold onto that style. The aggressive texturing on the Japanese inspired models worked on some and not on others. On the katana the diamond designs were sharp enough to draw blood. The longer blade seemed more unstable and too bendy for the length. On the shorter waki and tanto they work for me. Top 3 is gladius waki and royal kuk, black bear probably next. The bowie one...I like the blade shape but it seems to have no guard? I find I like a guard or prominent blade stop built in. All in all, i love this entire line and I hope they keep adding to it. A celtic sort short machete. A viking long seax style. Khopesh. Dirk. Short viking style sword. So many cool options to try!
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Post by warriorpoet on Apr 27, 2024 21:46:31 GMT
I like cheap blades too. Cheap in cost but not in value. I want to abuse them but I end up taking care of them, sometimes more than my high dollar swords because they get used more.
I have abused the gladius machete. The tip will bend but not much. It has felled very thick trees. Earned a spot near my bedside.
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LeMal
Member
Posts: 1,103
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Post by LeMal on Apr 28, 2024 4:11:27 GMT
All in all, i love this entire line and I hope they keep adding to it. ...A viking long seax style... CS had a seax machete but discontinued it around 2013. Luckily I got a couple on clearance when they did--it's my favorite, having most of the above.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 28, 2024 5:26:51 GMT
I want a smallsword machete!
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Post by izzy on Apr 28, 2024 6:05:28 GMT
I like the look of that Condor the OP posted, but would have to see the grind in person...Just how much they could take off 2.5mm for such a "dramatic" grind, is it mostly for show, or just too thin at the tip? I would want at least 3mm before attempting such a grind on a machete. Something that would leave at least 1.5mm for the tip, I would not want anything either the same thickness, or thinner than their Original Imacasa line by the point.
Keeping in mind Condor is not Always up to spec, depends on the batch. Recently Baryonyx had issues with a custom machete commissioned from Condor those too thin were sold as seconds. Years before that, I had 2 of the same model that were too thin ( say about 2016), once I contacted their CS guy in the USA I traded for the outback Machete, which was very generous of them ( quite the upgrade) the other my wife refused to switch out and was kept by her. So word to the wise if you ever get a non spec Condor KVETCH / COMPLAIN to to CS very politely but firmly, they do honor their Guarantee and Specifications.
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Post by mrstabby on Apr 28, 2024 19:03:53 GMT
Looks like it's a slow slope to about 1mm where the secondary bevel begins. Makes me wonder even more why it should have 700g. 500g I could believe. Since it is relatively new, my guess all shops just have copy-pasted the info from Condor, which might be incorrect.
I feel such a hollow grind does well on a weapon, on a machete it just makes the edge easier to damage. But he admits it has been done this way just to be different, to look cool.
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