Those blades look fantastic Vic! I am envious of your mad skillz!!

<Slaps a new belt in the belt grinder> "Penetrator points all around, I'm buyin'." <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Hah! Yeah, it's addictive. I suspect that years of being good at sharpening free hand on stones has transferred to the belt. There is a knack. My Dad never could sharpen right. His dad taught me the art when I was young. Old Daddy Ross taught me many good things. It has always been my job to keep the family's knives sharp and thier varmints dead. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I always have to login when I link to BF. If they ban HD I will boycott them.

I have not had the testicular fortitude yet to put a false edge on my DF yet. I want to be able to perform a backcut with the DF so it needs a back edge.
You really have to watch that grinding as it can really get out of hand.
Just ask Ban.

For me the DF is too heavy for anything but a chopping attack. I like my Bagwell or this Condor for a fighter.

That Condor looks pretty slick. I think I'd probably prefer a smaller handle based on the picutre but I really like the blade on that thing. Did you sharpen the clip point H-D?

No, it came that way. Very light and fast knife. Just plain wicked.

I was looking at the hogsticker machete..cool design. They have some innovative designs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I would prefer a better steel and get rid of the blue, but so far I have been impressed with their comfort, toughness, and feel. They feel a lot better than they look. They are only 53Rc 420HC steel. The steel is pre-hardened to cut costs. They are very strong for just 3 mm thick. The edges are actually polished to a mirror sheen.

I'm really interested in hearing the result of your tests H-D. At 53Rc I'm wondering how long the edge holds out before you need to sharpen.

I'll probably order one of the hogstickers this weekend just for grins <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think the Hog Sticker machetes are only 2.5 mm thick. They are not likely to perform as well as the carbon steel models from Tramontina and Ontario. If I were you, I'd wait until May when CS will have their Bowie, Spear point, and barong machetes in 1055 steel. They have the polypropylene handles, too, and they are 3 mm thick. Their sheaths are not as nice. My Jungle Bowie has a santophrene handle. I ground a double edged point on my Ontario 12", but it is not very "pointy".

Thanks for the recommendation Vic. CS says the machetes will be available end of April. Guess I can wait <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I probably should not talk about non-Scrap yard knives so much on this great forum, but we both know that Dan is not competing with machete makers! When I have a lot of serious machete work to do, I choose the Tramontina 22" every time. You should hear the ringing of the steel as the palmettos and vines sail through the air! $5.95 + shipping. Mine have lasted seven seasons.