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Post by antoine99 on Jan 19, 2018 20:50:19 GMT
Hey everyone! I came across this CS kopis-style machete for $10, and I thought it looked really interesting for that price so I ordered it. But the handle in my opinion is pretty ugly. So I think I'd like to paint it to give it like a dark brown wood kind of look. The handle material is polypropylene and it I doubt it will look that good but for $10 I'll pretty much be happy no matter what happens. I saw some reviews on this thing, and it held up to wood chopping, even if it flexes a lot due to how thin the blade is, so at least it seems durable. www.coldsteel.com/kopis-machete-with-sheath.htmlAny advice? Like a wood finish or something? If you can't tell by now, I know nothing about paint Basically I just want to know what type of paint to use. Thanks Also, what makes something a "machete" as opposed to something else? I know there are different machetes for light/medium/heavy work, and this one is 2mm thick, which is very thin. Is it up for interpretation? I know in this case at least, a real kopis would be MUCH thicker and heavier. This one is clearly closer to a machete/tool than a sword. So if it's meant as a tool for clearing grass/weeds and stuff, it's basically a machete? And if a "machete" was designed for fighting, does that mean it's no longer a "machete"?
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jan 20, 2018 10:02:28 GMT
Sorry, no idea to help you with the handle.
I often meditate about the difference between a sword and a machete. I think a machete is a tool designed with a focus on chopping. That means it's a good chopping weapon of course.
A sword has other additional aspects which I rather see in the area of defense. Crossguard, distal taper or fullers for speed - for a given weight and size, lenght, durability in a fight.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jan 20, 2018 11:51:28 GMT
I know in this case at least, a real kopis would be MUCH thicker and heavier. It's of about the expected weight for a historical kopis of the same size. Maybe a bit heavier. A real kopis would have a thicker blade at the base, maybe thinner blade near the tip, and the blade would have a weight-saving geometry (hollow wedge, fullered). The machete blade is thinner (at least mid-blade, and especially at the base), but it's a flat slab of steel with an edge ground on, and weighs about twice as much as a wedge-section blade of the same spine thickness. Also, what makes something a "machete" as opposed to something else? I know there are different machetes for light/medium/heavy work, and this one is 2mm thick, which is very thin. Is it up for interpretation? ... So if it's meant as a tool for clearing grass/weeds and stuff, it's basically a machete? And if a "machete" was designed for fighting, does that mean it's no longer a "machete"? Modern machetes just cut from sheet steel will have no distal taper, but there are plenty of good machete makers still making forged machetes, with distal taper and all that. 19th century forged machetes could be quite thick; modern ones are usually thinner (a benefit of better steel and better heat treatment). Mostly, swords are weapons and machetes are tools, but there are exceptions. Here is a machete intended for fighting: complete with guard and pommel. Its machete-like features are the grip scales and the machete-style blade. These are traditionally called machetes, despite being made as weapons. Then we have swords like which were made as tools first and weapons second. Intended for clearing brush etc from artillery positions.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jan 20, 2018 13:12:53 GMT
There are overlappings, esp. in tropic and subtropic areas where a machete is usefull but you won't carry a additional fighting blade. But in my opinion a typical machete has no guard and a short blade with a broad heavy tip section for better cutting despite of its shortness. A typical sword has a guard, is long and has a thinner and lighter foible. A "machete for fighting" with a handguard and a long slen der blade and perhaps some distal taper I would call a "sword". I also won't call the Cold Steel Grosses Messer a knife only because "Messer" is the German word for a knife.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jan 20, 2018 18:39:43 GMT
Let me say first forget the paint and learn to live with the stock handle. It is of good slip resistant material and design. The paint will wear off too quickly and then you will have an eye sore for sure. The definition of machete will vary with the location and time. Sometime during the ‘50s the industry decided to use the word machete for an inexpensive knife with a stamped out flat blade with scales attached. Prior to that a machete could mean a forged blade with “trimmings”. I remember some machetes around the ‘60s being terrible but did not know enough to take a file or sandpaper to remove the high spots in the grips. As for the gaps that existed between the scales and metal I only knew enough not to buy. Now there seems to be a comeback to some degree with forged blades and additional quality. CS has found sales for machetes that follow the lines of well known swords. And since Thompson has relocated his manufacturing facilities from China to Africa the quality has improved. I found no real problem with his Chinese machetes but the fact that the machetes would not cut soft butter until sharpened upset many people. Actually the blades were sharp, to some degree, but the black finish was applied after sharpening and covered the cutting edge making it ineffective. The English speaking islands to the east of us call machetes cutlasses. Here’s a machete that has no markings and most would pass up, but is a much used work horse of mine. I believe it was made for the banana industry but am not sure. It is of low carbon steel with scales made from an auto tire. The most interesting feature is as cheaply (by some standards) it’s made it has a distal taper going from 2.2 mm to .9 mm. Above I said “cheaply (by some standards)” but the more I use and get to know the knife the more I appreciate the design/manufacture.
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Post by bebut on Jan 20, 2018 20:13:06 GMT
First, paint has trouble sticking to plastic, so look for a paint the has specs for whatever plastic you think it is. Personally, I would just wrap it in tape. In the tropics, I like plastic handles, although some need to be touched up with a file to remove casting marks or rough edges. I'm talking about a one minute touchup, not a remake.
Manufacturers can call their products whatever they want, but this looks right on--it is a machete based its thickness, steel and presumably its heat treat. It's design is kopis. If it fits your hand and chops weeds it looks like a good deal for 10 bucks US.
A sword it is not, too thin and couldn't stab very well. But as an improvised weapon it would be ok with devastating slashes and a possible stab to a soft area like the throat. One advantage of machetes is the relatively soft steel and appropriate heat treat means it is almost impossible to break them in a fight. The handle shouldn't fall off and the blade should not snap. A lot of swords sold as battle ready would probably have a hard time meeting that standard.
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Post by antoine99 on Jan 20, 2018 20:13:11 GMT
Thank you everyone! I didn't realize historical Kopiseseseses were so light. I thought they'd be heavier to allow a more powerful chop or something. But on the videos I've seen with this thing it seems very nimble and easy to use, so. Good point about the anti-slip finish, I suppose I'd end up ruining the functionality. Thanks again all EDIT: Yeah I just really like the shape of the blade, my main problem is how thin the blade is. Even though it does seem to have a mean point on it, I doubt something that thin would work very well for thrusting. And in the videos I've seen of people reviewing it, it can actually take a beating, chopping into wood and stuff. I'm not even going to use this thing for yardwork or anything, just as a kind of novelty thing to have, but that can absolutely be used as a weapon in an emergency. But for $10 I definitely will not complain. I love cheap, functional budget things. Also about that "fighting machete", that's pretty interesting. Seems like the lines can be blurred. Even as a tool a guard seems like a good idea.
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Post by bebut on Jan 20, 2018 20:59:24 GMT
A kopis will be heavier. My Windlass falcata weights in at almost 3 lbs, which stands to reason as they were designed to break wooden shields and smash metal helmets. Working machetes are for weed whacking and typically of 2 mm steel. The guy carrying them all day for work would probably not appreciate the extra weight of a sword. Military and survival machetes are often heavier and have distal taper, like the Martindale golok 2 or various parangs and golocks from Condor. browse www.machetespecialists.com. to see different designs.
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Post by antoine99 on Jan 20, 2018 21:02:15 GMT
A kopis will be heavier. My Windlass falcata weights in at almost 3 lbs, which stands to reason as they were designed to break wooden shields and smash metal helmets. Working machetes are for weed whacking and typically of 2 mm steel. The guy carrying them all day for work would probably not appreciate the extra weight of a sword. Military and survival machetes are often heavier and have distal taper, like the Martindale golok 2 or various parangs and golocks from Condor. browse www.machetespecialists.com. to see different designs. Wow, 3 lbs, the only one who's weight I really noticed was one from KoA at about 2.5 lbs. The only thing I've held so far is my gladius at 1 lb 15 ounces. I guess you would get used to it.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jan 20, 2018 21:50:04 GMT
Not easy to find kopis weights; falcatas are a bit easier. The Korfu kopis: 625g Falcatas in the British Museum: 400g, 635g, 380g, 660g, 510g, 595g These have blade lengths from 17" to 19". More info on these at www.academia.edu/11986135/Iberian_falcata_in_the_British_MuseumA couple of other falcata weights: 600g, 500g Most of these are missing grip scales, and have some corrosion. The originals would have been a bit heavier. But they are not heavy choppers. The typical modern repros are grossly overweight, and handling and performance of originals shouldn't be judged from them.
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Post by antoine99 on Jan 25, 2018 1:00:24 GMT
It just arrived today; I'm amazed that something like this would only cost $10 (plus $10 shipping). It is actually much better and better looking than I was hoping for. The standard color even looks fine. It doesn't have a great edge though, I tried some paper cutting and it didn't get anywhere (the point is nasty though). It's a bit heavier/meatier and longer than I expected too, which is great. It's not historically accurate (polypropylene handle ), but in my opinion at least it looks great. I'd like to sharpen it somehow once I research that a bit. There's a bunch of glue leftover from the bloody sticker but I assume between cleanings that will rub away. It has that blackened anti-rust finish which is pretty ugly but I'll just leave that on. So I assume the maintenance is non-existent, at least until the finish rubs off? Maybe just rub the blade with alcohol and dry once every few days? I'm just asking for future reference and education, I'm not worrying about a $10 item, lol
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jan 25, 2018 1:46:30 GMT
So I assume the maintenance is non-existent, at least until the finish rubs off? Maybe just rub the blade with alcohol and dry once every few days? I'm just asking for future reference and education, I'm not worrying about a $10 item, lol I’ve heard many complaints about the black finish. It’s not the prettiest but does not bother me in the least. It is both durable and effective. Apply oil or some other rust preventative regularly. As for the sticker, I always leave them in place, and I understand they are hard to remove. As for the glue residue, Goo Gone should take care of that and is easy to find. That worked like a champ on my CS tomahawk. People would regularly complain about the edge on CS Chinese machetes, but I haven’t heard much concerning the African production. The ones I’ve received all have had a good serviceable edge, not that I didn’t touch them up a little. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever received a machete of any type that had a super edge, most were functional for the intended job. That never bothered me as I always put on one that was to my liking in reference to angle and if the blade was thick enough I’d change to a convex edge.
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Post by antoine99 on Jan 25, 2018 2:18:53 GMT
So I assume the maintenance is non-existent, at least until the finish rubs off? Maybe just rub the blade with alcohol and dry once every few days? I'm just asking for future reference and education, I'm not worrying about a $10 item, lol I’ve heard many complaints about the black finish. It’s not the prettiest but does not bother me in the least. It is both durable and effective. Apply oil or some other rust preventative regularly. As for the sticker, I always leave them in place, and I understand they are hard to remove. As for the glue residue, Goo Gone should take care of that and is easy to find. That worked like a champ on my CS tomahawk. People would regularly complain about the edge on CS Chinese machetes, but I haven’t heard much concerning the African production. The ones I’ve received all have had a good serviceable edge, not that I didn’t touch them up a little. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever received a machete of any type that had a super edge, most were functional for the intended job. That never bothered me as I always put on one that was to my liking in reference to angle and if the blade was thick enough I’d change to a convex edge. Well the edge is serviceable yes. The sticker was hard to remove so I wet it which made it easier. I suppose I can just use the same gun&reel cloth I use on my gladius. Thanks!
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Post by howler on Jan 25, 2018 4:59:31 GMT
I simply must point out that CS Special Projects still has that Christmas sale going on for about a week more featuring the Katana machete (24" blade, 40" overall, 2.8mm thick) and TWO sheaths for $16...that's SIXTEEN FREAKING DOLLARS! I got one...should have purchased more as gifts and such. You could do far worse than having this thing under your bed, as it is quite the self defense bang for the buck.
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Post by antoine99 on Jan 25, 2018 5:17:56 GMT
I simply must point out that CS Special Projects still has that Christmas sale going on for about a week more featuring the Katana machete (24" blade, 40" overall, 2.8mm thick) and TWO sheaths for $16...that's SIXTEEN FREAKING DOLLARS! I got one...should have purchased more as gifts and such. You could do far worse than having this thing under your bed, as it is quite the self defense bang for the buck. Seriously? I've never heard of that, I'll check it out, thanks! You mean here? www.ltspecpro.com/Category/68_1/Christmas_Sale.aspx
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Post by leviathansteak on Jan 25, 2018 5:34:05 GMT
Maybe you can wrap the hilt in natural fabric or cord so you can't see the synthetic hilt
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Post by howler on Jan 25, 2018 6:15:30 GMT
I simply must point out that CS Special Projects still has that Christmas sale going on for about a week more featuring the Katana machete (24" blade, 40" overall, 2.8mm thick) and TWO sheaths for $16...that's SIXTEEN FREAKING DOLLARS! I got one...should have purchased more as gifts and such. You could do far worse than having this thing under your bed, as it is quite the self defense bang for the buck. Seriously? I've never heard of that, I'll check it out, thanks! You mean here? www.ltspecpro.com/Category/68_1/Christmas_Sale.aspxYup. Two handed Katana machete (with TWO sheaths). The site also offers an additional 5% off, btw, so 16 bucks. I like the XL Talwar and medium Espada in Coyote tan, as well as the MAA Arming dagger.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jan 25, 2018 6:41:28 GMT
A good machete but ugly as hell. There were two of this type with a bit different length, also the sheath. I got mine from a store with the shorter blade and the longer sheath and had to rework it a bit. Perhaps this is the reason for the two sheaths?
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Post by howler on Jan 25, 2018 21:16:16 GMT
A good machete but ugly as hell. There were two of this type with a bit different length, also the sheath. I got mine from a store with the shorter blade and the longer sheath and had to rework it a bit. Perhaps this is the reason for the two sheaths? If your talking about the Two Handed Kat, I really don't know if it is a good machete, though it appears to have some reach and leverage capabilities, and you can stab somewhat. Some people mod the handle due to the wider grip, or shorten it to their liking. I think the sheaths are the same, and that they are just getting ride of them due to discontinuing the model (I think), so I'll have to check on the shorter length thing. Really, it is just a cheap sword that you can swing at stuff and not care too much, so I think it will excel in that capacity anyway.
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Post by antoine99 on Jan 25, 2018 21:54:33 GMT
A good machete but ugly as hell. There were two of this type with a bit different length, also the sheath. I got mine from a store with the shorter blade and the longer sheath and had to rework it a bit. Perhaps this is the reason for the two sheaths? If your talking about the Two Handed Kat, I really don't know if it is a good machete, though it appears to have some reach and leverage capabilities, and you can stab somewhat. Some people mod the handle due to the wider grip, or shorten it to their liking. I think the sheaths are the same, and that they are just getting ride of them due to discontinuing the model (I think), so I'll have to check on the shorter length thing. Really, it is just a cheap sword that you can swing at stuff and not care too much, so I think it will excel in that capacity anyway. Yeah, that type of blade doesn't appeal to me, but even I was tempted by the price, lol
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