Sounds like a hell of a chip you are up against jd01! I agree with the advice to ignore the monster chip, my Draper hatchet is sporting a few battle scars and works just fine.. (But my chips are a lot smaller than that!)

FYI.. a Tramontina Bolo machete can be got from Springfield's for around £15 (if you can't find one cheaper) and that will chop like a demon, for £20 you can get a proper Martindale Golok (old MOD issue) from Heinnie Hays! (Or get one of Dan's fine DF's when the next run surfaces!)