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Post by mrstabby on Oct 16, 2023 18:35:00 GMT
Uff.... Have seen this in videos a few times when swords went up against trees. Exactly what I would be afraid of using a sword for this work. The problem is it might worh 99 times but desintegrate on th 100th. Especially egregious for me since I'd love a Balaur but can't get one in EU for now. Yeah... there are these things called "axes"... There are also billhooks, they are between axe and knife, but only around 25cm/10 in blade length for the most part and around 600g/1,3#. I know from experience you can fell small trees with one. I used one extensively in my youth when we collected wood for winter for my grandparents. I never really fell in love with them, but I haven't held one in years. I always gravitated towards the axe. Well crap, now I need to go buy one.
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rschuch
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Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
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Post by rschuch on Oct 16, 2023 19:27:34 GMT
I wonder how a khopesh would work?
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Post by justadude on Oct 16, 2023 19:47:09 GMT
Someone here mention cold steel machetes. I found many different types on cold steel and decided to try ALL TERRAIN CHOPPER machete.
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Post by justadude on Oct 16, 2023 19:52:17 GMT
Also trying cold steel GARDEN & CAMP MACHETE. What I found interesting is that these machetes are carbon steel. Isn’t that the cheapest metal?
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Post by mrstabby on Oct 16, 2023 19:54:35 GMT
Be aware: ALL TERRAIN CHOPPER is quite heavy and meant to be used two handed. The camp and garden is meant for grass.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 16, 2023 19:57:21 GMT
All knives I’ve seen in this thread are carbon steel and with a very few exceptions I wouldn’t have a knife any other way.
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Post by mrstabby on Oct 16, 2023 20:02:13 GMT
Carbon steel is cheaper than stainless most of the times, yes. But for impacting tools, like machetes, swords and axes, carbon works better because most common stainless steels will tend to be brittle with longer blades. That's why I said don't go for stainless. It might work for short, thick blades but most here seem to agree longer than 10" carbon is better because it is tougher. Of course there are some very tough stainless (AEB-L for example) but you will have to pay dearly for such an exotic animal....
Oh, and about the Khopesh, it might work well, but are there any examples sold you can trust? I am intrigued... It is on the list of swords I really want, but I don't trust Deepeeka... Also I want one in bronze, might not work as well for this as steel though.
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Post by howler on Oct 16, 2023 20:32:50 GMT
Thicker, heavier blades for hardwoods, splitting kindling, chopping larger saplings, etc... Cost a bit more (around $15) but I recommend Marbles machete. Made in El Salvador, sold in America with incredible sheaths, convex edges, sharpening stone. The classic standard Latin shape is generally used in North/South America, but there are SO many different shapes, sizes from various cultures around the world. Golok, Parang, Bolo, E-nep, Barong, Billhook, Cutlass, Cane, etc...it makes the head spin, but pick the one best for the SPECIFIC job.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 16, 2023 21:42:06 GMT
I was actually recently considering using one of these to trim some palm leaves. Palms have long and very sharp new growth, so you need a long blade to keep from impaling yourself. These are the most machete-like objects I own, but I'm thinking maybe the smarter thing to do would be just to buy a cheap machete to avoid any unnecessary heartache. I don't think either would be in danger of breaking as both are very stout thick steel with tangs that run through the grips, but the oxidation issue does give me pause, as does whacking a rock or something else closer to ground level.
A gancho may be all you need to protect your hand from needles, sharp edged leaves, etc. If it will work that and a machete will save your better grade blades. A gancho should cost nothing. Try one.
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rschuch
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Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
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Post by rschuch on Oct 16, 2023 22:05:10 GMT
I was actually recently considering using one of these to trim some palm leaves. Palms have long and very sharp new growth, so you need a long blade to keep from impaling yourself. These are the most machete-like objects I own, but I'm thinking maybe the smarter thing to do would be just to buy a cheap machete to avoid any unnecessary heartache. I don't think either would be in danger of breaking as both are very stout thick steel with tangs that run through the grips, but the oxidation issue does give me pause, as does whacking a rock or something else closer to ground level.
A gancho may be all you need to protect your hand from needles, sharp edged leaves, etc. If it will work that and a machete will save your better grade blades. A gancho should cost nothing. Try one. A looked up "gancho" and it means hook...you mean the billhook tool mentioned earlier in the thread? Attachments:
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 16, 2023 23:03:41 GMT
A gancho may be all you need to protect your hand from needles, sharp edged leaves, etc. If it will work that and a machete will save your better grade blades. A gancho should cost nothing. Try one. A looked up "gancho" and it means hook...you mean the billhook tool mentioned earlier in the thread? Literally yes. However, in Spanish, at least Latin America, it also means a tool given that name because it’s a type of hook. It is certainly used as one. There is another name for it which I can never remember. In short, it’s a tree limb with a fork cut to the user’s needs, therefore the shapes and sizes are numerous, whatever one desires. It can be from a true fork or a secondary limb branching off. In that case the closer to 90° the secondary limb is the better, if it’s intended for grass cutting. The ones I’ve used were relatively small diameter. In your case I think a fork with both limbs cut to a convenient length to enable you to push/pull as desired. Catch the bothersome leaf and push or pull it out the way and give a whack to the exposed leaf. This should give some safe distance to the knife’s hand. They are quite popular in the south. I’ve watched Latinos clear a hillside in short order. I can make a crude drawing if you wish, but I think these two grass cutters will do. Their ganchos are the largest I’ve seen, but looking at what they are doing with them explains all.
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Post by vidar on Oct 17, 2023 13:27:21 GMT
Exactly, use a machete.
If you insist, any somewhat decent katana of 1060 steel or similar will do the job. But a katana is intended to be a weapon, not a farming tool…
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Post by justadude on Oct 17, 2023 17:04:59 GMT
Even though, I think that the katana may be ideal for bush trimming. Im worried that I will scare my neighbors. I never talk to them.
I can find something else long for trimming brushes.
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Post by justadude on Oct 17, 2023 17:21:47 GMT
Also, I have a corner bamboo bush.
I used a weed eater circular saw. But want to maintain with something quicker.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 17, 2023 18:18:53 GMT
The consensus of our members is machete. For whatever reason you would like to reinvent the wheel we would be glad to hear your results. As a starter you might check out KoA as they have 100s to choose from. Maybe a machete disguised as something else? Keep in mind there is no perfect knife, everything is a compromise. www.kultofathena.com/
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Post by justadude on Oct 17, 2023 21:10:55 GMT
Im not saying the machete is obsolete. I dont think the machete was designed for trimming leaves off bushes.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 17, 2023 21:26:40 GMT
No problem, a machete isn't for everyone. As I said "subjective". One will not fit all.
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Post by Rain on Oct 17, 2023 23:32:24 GMT
Congratulations on choosing a Cold Steel All Terrain Chopper! Let us know how it works for you. I recently purchased one and am amazed at the way it moves and the cutting power, I like it better than any Da Dao to pass through my hands. It's fun to modify the edge Geometry to a razor edge! I purchased a Cold Steel two handed machete something like twenty years back and that also has amazing cutting power. The 1055 Steel might need an edge touch up a bit more than some steels but I can get a lot of work done before that! Haw Haw! Around here in the Northeastern USA I clear small trees and trim brush/bushes with a an Estwing large campers axe, Irwin 15 inch course cut hand saw, and a Condor 18 inch Eco-light-survivor Machete.
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Post by Robert in California on Oct 22, 2023 19:18:55 GMT
I bought a Cold Steel machete because Cold Steel makes some good stuff. I was disappointed to find it did not compare any better than the cheap Chinese machetes I had. Thin blade nice but my thicker stock machetes cut better, despite their less comfortable slab wood grips.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Oct 23, 2023 0:12:39 GMT
I bought a Cold Steel machete because Cold Steel makes some good stuff. I was disappointed to find it did not compare any better than the cheap Chinese machetes I had. Thin blade nice but my thicker stock machetes cut better, despite their less comfortable slab wood grips. Don’t knock CS for their edges. Traditional machete edges need addressing. CS is not alone in this matter. Personally, it does not bother me as I prefer my one edges, and a real machete user will do the same.
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