rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Here's one to ponder?
I have a WWII (1945) green-horn handle Legitimus Collins 18" Machete.
And I have a Vietnam era 18" GI Ontario of the same length.
The Collins blade is .130" at the hilt, tapering to .075" near the point.
The Ontario is .120" tapering to .089" near the point.
The Ontario weighs about 2 oz less overall, due to the thinner blade stock.
Edge grind is very similar.
However, I find the newer Ontario less user friendly then the old Collins, and it wears me out swinging it sooner, even though it weighs less.
The old Collins just does snap-cuts so much easier it is very noticeable after a while.
I just can't put my finger on exactly why??
Perhaps because it is less point heavy due to the thinner taper?
I'm considering shortening the Ontario to 14", just to get a lighter swing on snap-cuts for yard cleanup.
Or maybe buy a new 12" Ontario to try that next??
In actuality, I ended up using a WWII LC-14-B Woodsman Pal again this year as it is so much easier to swing then either 18" machete.
And the brush hook is invaluable for yard clean-up when you are too stiff to bend over all day.
rc
I have a WWII (1945) green-horn handle Legitimus Collins 18" Machete.
And I have a Vietnam era 18" GI Ontario of the same length.
The Collins blade is .130" at the hilt, tapering to .075" near the point.
The Ontario is .120" tapering to .089" near the point.
The Ontario weighs about 2 oz less overall, due to the thinner blade stock.
Edge grind is very similar.
However, I find the newer Ontario less user friendly then the old Collins, and it wears me out swinging it sooner, even though it weighs less.
The old Collins just does snap-cuts so much easier it is very noticeable after a while.
I just can't put my finger on exactly why??
Perhaps because it is less point heavy due to the thinner taper?
I'm considering shortening the Ontario to 14", just to get a lighter swing on snap-cuts for yard cleanup.
Or maybe buy a new 12" Ontario to try that next??
In actuality, I ended up using a WWII LC-14-B Woodsman Pal again this year as it is so much easier to swing then either 18" machete.
And the brush hook is invaluable for yard clean-up when you are too stiff to bend over all day.
rc