Mick,

Glad I could help..... Looks like I likely provided WAY more info than you ned for most of what you are looking for.

However, if you want wood planes and chisels to make sliver out of slivers, get a leather belt and some of that .50 Chromium Oxide.

If you do woodworking (as I also do), save the aluminum oxide belts for wood. And ante up for at least the Silicon carbide for steel.

For tractor blades, you remove a LOT of metal sometimes, so it might be worth going a few dollars more for the Zirconia or even Ceramic (?????)

I will eventually try the Zirconia and Ceramic to compare, but I haven't yet.

The Silicon belts in the right grits will reshape mower blades pretty fast.

I would probably stick with the 50 and 80 grit belts for mower blades Maybe even go to 36 or 40 grit - just to do it fast.(???) Having a razor edge isn't as important on a mower blade. But, sharpness DOES help.


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I can appreciate "some" of the design aspects of the Woodsman's Pal. But, personally, I am not that fond of the over-all design. I never really find need for the hook and find it more of a hang-up than benifit. And I am also not getting the dull tip. I guess it is a safety feature - that inhibits function (???) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />




However, personally, I do like the "general" shape - that of a "Cane Knife" for cutting sugar cane. But, I think some modifications and improvements can be made to the basic design with: a "Belt sander" to make it more yours.

But, the Woodsman's Pal is about $90 - $100 vs. about $10 - $15 (shipped) for a Corona Cane Knife or Cold Steel Heavy Machete (Cane Knife shaped).








Again, personally, I am not fond of the hook like on the Corona. I prefer the blade on the Cold Steel - except the blade is a bit taller than I likely prefer. But, a simple foundation for modding to taste.

I am not big on Cold Steel's handle... or Corona's for that matter. But, considering how cheap they are, the steel is EXCELLENT for that type of tool and a good foundation for a fun custom modification tool. The wood on the Corona could probably just be ground and shaped on the handle as is. I do that on my Tramontina Machetes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I don't know what type of steel corona uses. But, Cold Steel uses 1055 - A common "Tough" steel for machetes and such.


Condor also makes a similar blade, but they call theirs the Beaver Tail.


But, the condor is stainless and almost $60 or so. At least it comes with a leather sheath. But, kind of pricey compared to other options.





However, Condor does make some other fine machetes and bolos worthy of consideration. I have mentioned before the El Salvador (in carbon steel!) which is quite thick and stout with an amazing factory edge and nice leather sheat. It could probably be cut down or modified to a shorter heavy duty tool.


Ontario makes some very nice machetes out of 1095. Ontario machetes are harder than most machetes - They hold a much better edge than most machetes, but a little more prone to chipping and breaking.

Here is a shorter 12" "Camper" Machete from Ontario at 0.125" thick (about $10 - $15):




Bark River's Golok is more expensive. But, a FINELY finished tool with a nice leather sheath. Quite a "Fine" slasher and chopper. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
The original ones were made with 0170-6. But, recent ones were made with 1095.







I haven't tried yet, but "some" (????) of the many Valiant Golok variants are on my list to try. I have read a few pretty good reviews about them, but (????). Most are "Spring" steel. Pretty vague, but likely 5160 or similar (????)

Here is a 13.75" bladed Valiant Survival Golok for about $70.00:



This 12" bladed Parang Bandol looks interesting to me as well for about $95.00:



Most Kukri's are very good choppers, but not so great bush slashers. But, the Cold Steel Kukri Machete is a bit slimmer and gets good reviews.

The Cold Steel Bolo would seem a good balance between chopper and machete. Might need some of Vic's input.



Cold Steel's Barong Machetes look decent, but not as forward weighted for chopping. Probably versatile in light bush though.

The Martindale #2 machete/Golok has been on my list as with the British Sheffield Golok. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

And of course, there is the Scrap Yard DFLE or Swamp Rat Battle Rat. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

[img]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j183/DWRW/ScrapYard-DFLEwithSwampRatBattleRat.jpg[/img]


Something from Dan with Res-C and about a 12" - 14" blade with a narrower neck and taller blade would be WAY cool. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> I personally would be interested in the shallow edge grind like the Martindale #2 style, Valiant Parang Bandol, British Sheffield Golok and similar. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" />

We could go on for a LONG time, but just throwing out some options that I would "peronally" consider over the Woodsman's Pal.



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