Zombie Tools

[cdansan]

I want the Vakra. I have always thought that machetes are too bulky for brush work.
I have the Vakra on my Christmas list, I know they cant deliver it for this year.
Dan

 

[leeawalden]

Kennith, what do you know on axes. I wonder if the wetterlings or Gransfors Bruks are worth the money.

 

[kennith]

I appreciate the warning, however if I do purchase the sword it would go on my wall with my actual Japanese set. I've always loved the samurai way! So much as I'm working on a samurai based sleeve on my arm! Now the machete however, I have been looking a nice one as I would use it about every weekend! Thanks for posting the site!

Jon

Well, I'm not normally one for posting pictures related to my personal nature, but in this case I'll make an exception, as you'll likely get a heck of a kick out of it.


Edit: For those who wondered about my brief comments on profiles. This is an example of a polished edge. The act of very fine polishing produces the actual cutting edge. As such, it is not "sharpened" as normally considered. Rather, the blade is caused to gradually form it's own profile, from a very careful progression of stones. Maintenance is handled carefully with fine powder.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[kennith]

Kennith, what do you know on axes. I wonder if the wetterlings or Gransfors Bruks are worth the money.

I am a huge fan of Gransfors. Those things are cutters.

What you are getting is an axe made the way axes used to be made. An axe, in the past, was a significant investment, and meant to last a very long time. People might think these are overpriced, but they are most certainly not.

They are incredibly sharp, so you'd better keep your wits and practice a bit if you've been stuck with Home Depot for a while. They are also properly tempered, so they absorb energy where they need to, and have an edge that's an appropriate hardness for whichever pattern you choose.

They hold an edge long enough to be easily sharpened, if that makes sense. Some edges are too hard. They hold an edge, but are very difficult to sharpen. Other edges are easy to sharpen, but are too soft to remain sharp. These things have it right. Best of both worlds.

If you buy one, you'll never look back. Just examine all their options, as they crank out a traditional lineup. Read their descriptions to be sure you get the one you need.

The handles are well attached and constructed, with traditional, practical forms.

With a Gransfors, you'll find that you need less axe than you think you need. If you spend a lot of time with any axe pattern, you'll find the investment very worthwhile.

They aren't the only good manufacturer, but they are my choice. They've kept tradition alive, and worked hard to support such values into the modern era. Like any fine blade, they require a bit of care, but it's nothing beyond the occasional polish and oiling.

The Great Outdoor Provision Company stores have them on display every now and again, so it's a good change to handle one before you buy.

Edit: I've never used a Wetterling, nor have I seen one in person, but they appear to have a more pronounced transition from the concave grind toward the convex cutting edge. If that is true, they will handle differently. It's hard to tell in pictures.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[bri]

Oh, I'm quite serious.

I first grabbed one of their products when I found they made something I'd been wanting for years. I'd had the pattern made locally at times, and used production models that approximated the pattern, but nobody really got it right.

It took some serious coaxing and conversation to bring me on board. Eventually they convinced me I could send it back if I was in any way dissatisfied. I bought it, and I really, really like it.

The handling shocked me. I wasn't expecting something so appropriately balanced, and I sure as hell wasn't expecting the attention to detail. It may be hard to believe, but beyond their silly image, these guys aren't fucking around.

Doesn't look so damned clunky here, does it? The grind is so slight that by the time it reaches the edge, the secondary bevel is nearly invisible. I tell you, these guys are good. I'm not yanking anyone's chain.

Cheers,

Kennith

Is that The Phalanx?

 

[bri]

I was looking a blades recently, thank you. I happened accross this hand made piece. Pretty awesom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XANIau-m4Q

Oops. Looks like you may have posted pic of the duece?

 

[kennith]

Is that The Phalanx?

It's the Deuce. I like two handed models for faster grip changes. I'll prefer a hand-and-a-half, but I'm used to proper two-hand form, so it's not a big deal.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[kennith]

I was looking a blades recently, thank you. I happened accross this hand made piece. Pretty awesom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XANIau-m4Q

Oops. Looks like you may have posted pic of the duece?

It's always nice to see someone making what they like. It looks effective enough as a chopper. Long enough for baton work, sharp enough for knife use, and it doesn't appear to be quite as clumsy as one might think.

I love a bellied cutting edge for that very reason. You get a very deep, abusive slash with forgiving and compact form, and incredible, quick chops. Thrusting performance is only marginally affected, and in soft targets is pretty much irrelevant.

I like all the exploration nowadays of ancient or simply non-traditional patterns.

ZT did sort of a comical "destruction test" of the Deuce, and unlike many, actually bothered to break the damned thing on camera. The rebound test will have you wincing and leaning back in the chair. Do not do this shit at home. It's very dangerous; especially they way they are doing it.

Note the Cold-Steel joke after chopping the baguette in half. Absolute Proof!:rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itE3_p7Fxwg

They also have a nice video showing the precision of their Apokatana. To some, this may not seem impressive, but for a non-traditional blade, it's an achievement. Note, again, they they are pretty transparent.

These are light targets, but light, unrestrained targets are annoying without decent form and a properly arranged blade. It's not the ideal cutting environment for a Japanese pattern, but he knows that.

They show several failed attempts before the good stuff. Just wait for the slow motion shot of that thing cleanly passing through the cans. 2:45 pulls up the clean run, but it's worth watching the others:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8UrvkPnY8s

Remember, take their image as it is. They do make light of themselves.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[bri]

Sheesh. You put me to shame. I have no idea what form is, but likely I'll end up with either the machete or the deuce. Maybe both with time. Thanks for the info and by the way, I actually like their image regardless of gimmick. But, I am kind of into the old world look.

Do you know of anything close to that excalibur knife that guy made?

 

[kennith]

Sheesh. You put me to shame. I have no idea what form is, but likely I'll end up with either the machete or the deuce. Maybe both with time. Thanks for the info and by the way, I actually like their image regardless of gimmick. But, I am kind of into the old world look.

Do you know of anything close to that excalibur knife that guy made?

When I refer to form I refer to the "way" of a person and his edged weapon, in concert with the world around him. Any explanation I could provide would produce an irritating Asian riddle and make me sound like an ass.

In it's most primitive sense, "form", as an English word, can be used to describe a series of actions, so just consider how he grips and uses the weapon in the videos. It tastes a painful lie to confine it like that, but that's all that need be considered here.

As for "Excalibur":

What your man has made is a fairly uncommon variety of Japanese Nata, which is related to a number of obscure Asian blades.

They were designed as bush knives/hatchets, but later evolved into short-lived weapon patterns. The bush knives went in other directions depending on culture over time, and so did weapons. More specialized tools and weapons evolved.

The slight belly in the cutting edge, for it's original purpose, only survived in the kukri. The rest went the way of the leaf blades used by our own ancestors. No longer specifically needed, they faded into history.

Damned shame, if you ask me.

Cheers,

Kennith

Edit: I like the image as well. It's not pompous, nor is it stupid. It's not stupid because it's not serious. They are who they are, and I actually prefer people like that.

 

[bri]

Thanks Kennith. I am going to get a more inexpensive machete to practice, but will likely look to a local professional for some form of defense training.

The Felon and Bone Machete are on the short list.

 

[kennith]

Thanks Kennith. I am going to get a more inexpensive machete to practice, but will likely look to a local professional for some form of defense training.

The Felon and Bone Machete are on the short list.

Check your PMs, dumbass.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[bri]

Lol.