AndiTheBarvarian
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Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Nov 3, 2018 8:30:38 GMT
The Cold Steel Tactical Katana Machete is a nice little cheapo sword. The handle with the plastic fake tsukamaki doesn't look bad and gives a good grip but the edges of the salient fake crossovers (don't know the right japanese term) are very sharp and bit into my hands. First I tried to file one round but that didn't work well. Then I found a simple solution: I used my little Crême Brulèe burner to heat up the crossover joints - carefully - from both sides until the texture melted plain. This also rounded the edges and makes the handle comfy without loosing grip.
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Post by steves87 on Nov 3, 2018 13:23:25 GMT
Nice workaround, I am glad you posted as this is the sort of idea that I keep on board as I know I’ll need it one day
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tonystark
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“I told you, I don’t want to join your super secret boy band!”
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Post by tonystark on Nov 3, 2018 16:41:52 GMT
Excellent use of a C.B Torch to modify a Cold Steel katana/machete! I have the same katana/machete and have been debating using paracord to make it more ergonomic.
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Post by tancred on Nov 12, 2018 3:39:28 GMT
Very cool, Andi! I just got one of these myself. I was kind of surprised at how rough the tsuka "wrap" was on my hands. I'm getting used to it, but kind of nice to know there's an alternative.
When I got this, I was kind of hoping for sort of a ko-kat. I thought the 24" blade might be what I was looking for, but it still seems a bit long. I might try for the CS Wak Machete or even the Tanto Machete just to see if those are more up the alley. I really do like the Kat, so I might want the other two anyway.
Have you cut with yours yet? If so, how do you like it? Hope you're enjoying your sword!
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Nov 12, 2018 9:57:51 GMT
Unfortunately I can't cut in the area where I live. Dry handling is nice with the TacKatMac, even more with the smoothed handle. I recently bought a Hawei Tactical Wakiashi which can also be considered as a ko kat because it has a longer two handed handle. It's very light and nimble, perhaps too lightweight for a real ko kat. It's my shortest sword that makes tachikaze. You can try to file down the tip of the CS to make it shorter a bit. Try to make a shobu zukuri!
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Post by tancred on Nov 12, 2018 18:41:41 GMT
Hanwei Tac Kats and Tac Waks are so hard to find now, and super expensive if you do. Or, at least for me anyway. That's cool you were able to snag one, Andi. Hope you like it. I despaired of finding an affordable Hanwei, got weak, and went for the Honshu Tac Wak. Its no doubt inferior to the Hanwei, but I still enjoy it.
I'm really interested to try the CS Wak Machete and Tanto Machete. I think the Wak version might be closer to a ko-kat than the katana version. Maybe.
Its kind of weird--if I think of them as machetes, they seem expensive. If I think of them as cheap non-traditional made kats, waks, and tantos, then the price doesn't seem bad at all. I got a major deal for my Kat Machete, and only paid $5 for it anyway, so I'm pleased!.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Nov 12, 2018 18:57:32 GMT
We have a store in Germany which seems to have a source for some Hanwei swords that are hard to get elsewhere (battlemerchant.com). On the other side the better CS machetes cost ca. 50-70 € here. I consider them as cheap swords and not as expensive machetes. Guard = sword!
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jinx
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The Kunoichi AKA Jedigirl
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Post by jinx on Jan 27, 2019 1:04:12 GMT
I took mine to a belt sander and then some sanding sponges. The grip is still there but much better on the hands.
I used mine to take down 6" diameter trees like an axe. You do have to swing with a pull like a katana. Great sword but I'm considering a Wakizashi as well as it might be easier on my shoulders to swing when I'm not feeling 100%.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Jan 27, 2019 2:56:42 GMT
I took mine to a belt sander and then some sanding sponges. The grip is still there but much better on the hands. I used mine to take down 6" diameter trees like an axe. You do have to swing with a pull like a katana. Great sword but I'm considering a Wakizashi as well as it might be easier on my shoulders to swing when I'm not feeling 100%. I use the bowie machete and cutlass machete, The bowie is an amazingly useful small machete, Lots of power in the chops with basically no effort.
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