I hate to burst the bubble but it looks like most folks want different things when it comes to swords. I'd like the kukri myself. Or a single edged shortsword. I think a replacement for the 18 in. armed forces machete might be a good idea. Make it no larger than that, with whatever blade style as long as it will outperform the machete on chores and shouldn't be hard to outperform it in combat if it has even a mediocre tip. Something like this might have a chance to see a lot of orders from military personnel so it might actually have a chance of making the retooling costs worth it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />
You can buy good quality machetes for $6.00. I have used Becker, Cold Steel,
Collins, Ontario, Galivan, Condor, True Temper, Tramontina, and others. I may not be an expert on all knives, but I know machetes well and use them all Summer. It would have to be the machete from hell to justify one from SYKCO. I have yet to find one that works better than a $6.00 Tramontina. I think a short combat sword would make more sense for SYKCO. Besides, the Army seems to be in the desert more lately than the jungle. Just my opinion.
