Machetes cutting a wider swath of fear in U.S. communities

Scripps Howard News Service ^ | March 2, 2006 | By LISA HOFFMAN

[King Prout]

the machete makes a decent weapon, but it has nothing on my wakizashi... or my M1911A1.

these gangs would have no traction in this country if the law abiding had not been so well indoctrinated to be helpless sheeple.

[absolootezer0]

A machete is probably the most useful woodsman's tool there is. I like axes, hatchets, and saws but a machete cuts better than any of them until you get up to branches over maybe three inches in diameter.

that's where a good kukri comes in. the forward design of the blade, and the much thicker blade will go thru a lot that a machete won't. i've used machetes, and prefer the kukri because it'll go thru so much more. i've gone thru a 6inch log of maple just as fast with my kukri as i can with an axe. machetes are good to go thru really thin stuff, but where i'm at, the heavier kukri is more suitable.
they also make excellent weapons. as far as the ability tests, check out cold steels proof test for their kukris. it goes thru a bunch of rope, they break a cinder block with the back of the blade, and cut thru 7 inches of bamboo- same test that's used for katanas.
but the most use i get out of mine is as a bat bat. i have an old farm house that attracts bats, and once in a while they get in the house. the wide blade is good for swatting them out of the air :)

[yarddog]

As I said, I have a Cold Steel Kukri so I don't need to check them out. My experience is different from yours. I think the Kukri is too thick to cut well. That might help it to chop but not to slice through branches.

My "Cold Steel" Kukri came with an interesting history of that blade. It basically said the design was used by Greek Soldiers in Alexander the Great's army. When they invaded India, the locals saw it and liked the shape. Now it is common in India and of course Nepal.

It is probably a good fighting weapon but the ones I see are too short for combat imo. I think they make a fairly decent all around fighting knife and chopping tool but generally are far inferior to the common machete for most purposes.

[taxesareforever]

Why should it be of interest to me? The courts here not established any law stating that these are legal in public.

[timm22]

Obviously, we must ban machetes.

Been there, done that...

The surrounding towns of Revere, Everett, Lynn and Chelsea have banned machetes, and there is now a bill before the Massachusetts Senate that would prohibit the carrying, sale and manufacture of the tool-turned-weapon.

Excellent. I can imagine things getting better almost immediately.

(SETTING: Your local Massachusetts MS-13 hangout.)

MS-13 BANGER : Say fellows, let's go out and raise some heck! (brandishes machete)

MS-13 LEADER: I don't think so, my friend. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but our elected representatives have prohibited the carrying of that machete. You'd best put that away.

MS-13 BANGER: Aw, shucks. Well, I guess we can just hang out here tonight, then.

Lovely.

[Blue Jays]

Hi taxesareforever-

I figured you may have an interest in knives and other bladed tools...not just the laws associated with them.

~ Blue Jays ~

[taxesareforever]

Well guess what. You figured wrong. Of course, not the first time.

[Blue Jays]

Hi taxesareforever-

You're welcome. Enjoy the thread.

~ Blue Jays ~

[dennisw]

I have two machetes and they are great tools for cutting brush and hacking at other plant world nuisances. Machetes are well designed blades and do the the job intended. It isn't my fault if feral 3rd worlders have adopted it as a weapon of choice and hack away at ears, lips and limbs

[dennisw]

Lots of kukris on sale at ebay:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&satitle=kukri&category0=

[Fee]

For sixty bucks one can get spare parts (stock, trigger assembly, assembled bolt (handle, firing pin and extractor), and bolt spring), another sixty bucks for a brand new barrel and mag well; and another two hundred bucks the tubular receiver with the key cut outs 80 percent cut (do not remove cut outs, because it is a violation of firearm laws). Sten mags are dirt cheap and 9mm bullets are available. All these components can be sitting in one's garage/secret storage and assembled at a small machine shop if one wants to be in legal hotwater. A MACHETE is easier and cheaper to make. Flat steel, a grinder, two pieces of flat wood and a good grommet punch kit is all one needs.

[yarddog]

I looked at those on eBay. Most of them are pretty much junk. The Cold Steel, at least most of them listed, are not their regular Kukri which sells for near $200. The ones listed are cheap stamped ones made in South Africa, and sold by Cold Steel. They are pretty good for the price but I still had rather buy an Ontario U.S. surplus machete for around the same price.

[Squantos]

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27976

........:o)

[Czar]

"We must welcome the quaint social customs of our new "Gold Card Semi-Citizens."

Ah, multicultural diversity--ain't it wonderful...

Around here, we have our own personalized "welcome" for any of these banana republic thugs that show up looking for trouble.

[planekT]

Just chopping up people that Americans are too lazy to chop.

And they continue pouring into the country even as I type, while our government does next to NOTHING about it.

Grrrrr....

[dennisw]

Lots of Brazilian made machetes here in Florida. I have one of those. My China made machete isn't as good. I'm sticking with machetes

[yarddog]

I like to experiment with different things and bought a machete at Wal-Mart made in China. It was far worse than the Brazilian Tramontina or Collins. In fact it looked to be simply a slab of mild sheet steel stamped to shape and roughly sharpened, then plastic handles stuck on somehow, but not rivited.

I once bought a Collins with a 22 inch blade. It was almost useless as it vibrated every time I hit anything even slightly hard. I cut it down to 18" and it was ok then.

The U.S. made Ontario really are the best I have found. If you can find one of the surplus sheaths which include a carbide sharpener, it is worth the extra cost.

I was working at a state park one Summer and led hikes along a nature trail. One night a tree blew down across the trail. the next day I cut it in two in 2 different places using a machete. It was maybe 20" in diameter and took awhile but the machete did the job.

[dennisw]

The U.S. made Ontario really are the best I have found. If you can find one of the surplus sheaths which include a carbide sharpener, it is worth the extra cost.

I'll look for one. I can tell you revere machetes same as I do. We have a huge 3rd world population here (South Florida) thus at the largest flea market they have guys selling 5 different styles of machetes made in Brazil. I don't understand the variations but I assume each one is better suited to certain agricultural and rural tasks.

[dennisw]

I was working at a state park one Summer and led hikes along a nature trail. One night a tree blew down across the trail. the next day I cut it in two in 2 different places using a machete. It was maybe 20" in diameter and took awhile but the machete did the job.

That must have been a real workout. Most I've lopped off are 4" diameter branches

[truemiester]

"The MS-13 gang members are just misunderstood. They had bad childhoods. They were not breast fed. /sarcasm off"

Well, you forgot about the fact that it is all Bushes fault, no goverment supplied internet, lack of affordable healthcare, And the fact that these children are forced to rob to buy tne latest x-box games that racist price out ot thier reach (sarcasm of as well)