H1Spyderco Machete?

[vivi]

I'm careful with my machetes, axes, hatchets etc. to avoid chopping into the ground, into rocks, etc.

Now it does happen from time to time, but it's rare. Less than once a year rare.

This lets me get away with thinner, more refined edges than most folks.

It may also contribute to why corrosion is such a factor in dulling my machetes vs the average user.

Like I said, undergrowth and brush hardly dulls a blade. The juices do, however. My machetes start corroding before the days work is does and they get wiped clean.

I'm not very worried about price if spyderco made an h1/h2/lc200n machete. I would pay the asking price with no hesitation.

[PM2Josh]

Guilty as charged zhyla.
I proudly wear the mall ninja badge with a mix of irony and defiance, despite the fact that malls have traded their edgy knife displays for mundane kitchen cutlery since the Clinton era.

I'll take being called a mall ninja over being called a gatekeeper of knives any day. Or any hobby for that matter.

Sure, serrated edges might get a bit temperamental when introduced to hardwood knots or rocky terrain . But, plain edges aren't exactly invincible either.

I''ve personally broken five carbon steel machetes from Ontario, Cold Steel and Tramontina through my life. Through my enthusiastic yet questionably skilled attempts at woodland woodcraft.

Turns out, swinging wildly and accidentally smacking hidden rocks or cured hardwood knots is not a recommended technique for blade preservation.

[PM2Josh]

I'm careful with my machetes, axes, hatchets etc. to avoid chopping into the ground, into rocks, etc.

Now it does happen from time to time, but it's rare. Less than once a year rare.

This lets me get away with thinner, more refined edges than most folks.

It may also contribute to why corrosion is such a factor in dulling my machetes vs the average user.

Like I said, undergrowth and brush hardly dulls a blade. The juices do, however. My machetes start corroding before the days work is does and they get wiped clean.

I'm not very worried about price if spyderco made an h1/h2/lc200n machete. I would pay the asking price with no hesitation.

I was always raised that if you take care of your tools and treat them within reason and their purpose. Your tooks will take care of you.

You are completely correct in your opening statement.
If they do this. I will slap my credit card down or even use AFFIRM and go into more debt. I mean I am already in debt. Might as well enjoy the ride.

[Danke]

If I wanted a nice machette I'd get this one.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Here is my custom full flat grind kitchen machete. It is so lively in the hand



The Medford is heavier and more of a short sword

That is a beautiful and and practical piece of edged art. Wow. I love the smooth flowing design and the satin finish to it.

It also reminds me of some early Bowie designs which were more like large Scimitar butcher knives. Thank you for posting that, Fireman.

[PM2Josh]

If I wanted a nice machette I'd get this one.

I wanted one of those for a long time. Pretty much meant to collect rather than use. I may have to buy one. Thought they were discontinued.

[Danke]

If I wanted a nice machette I'd get this one.

I wanted one of those for a long time. Pretty much meant to collect rather than use. I may have to buy one. Thought they were discontinued.

A couple left here.

https://www.bladescanada.com/Case-W.R.- ... teel-12019

[JoviAl]

This definitely won't be an item a local landscaping crew sill buy to replace their Tramontinas.

When I used to work as an industrial landscaper and tree surgeon we were exactly the kind of people that would buy high end tools and gear - in the same way that a chef would buy themselves high quality personal knives or a mechanic with their personal tools. I don’t know if it’s a different business model where you are (I’m British), but most of our work kit was our own and we cherished it. I still keep a stable of three rabidly ported personal chainsaws even though I don’t need them as much anymore these days, so I think having top tier tools is a culture amongst some. I know machetes tend to be cheap so people tend to buy cheap, but if someone brought the machete equivalent of a Snap On torque wrench or Stihl 500i to market I think it would be very well received in some communities.

[PM2Josh]

This definitely won't be an item a local landscaping crew sill buy to replace their Tramontinas.

When I used to work as an industrial landscaper and tree surgeon we were exactly the kind of people that would buy high end tools and gear - in the same way that a chef would buy themselves high quality personal knives or a mechanic with their personal tools. I don’t know if it’s a different business model where you are (I’m British), but most of our work kit was our own and we cherished it. I still keep a stable of three rabidly ported personal chainsaws even though I don’t need them as much anymore these days, so I think having top tier tools is a culture amongst some. I know machetes tend to be cheap so people tend to buy cheap, but if someone brought the machete equivalent of a Snap On torque wrench or Stihl 500i to market I think it would be very well received in some communities.

My Godfather is British. Sometimes wish I was I seen Europe during Desert Storm and almost felt like I was home. Deja Vu I guess.

In most areas here by Virginia USA. The crews tend to gravitate to $10 to $25 Tramontinas or Imacasa. I have busted a few of those in my time landscaping.

I find the wood handles to be weak and will splinter in half on a few hard strikes. Or had to deal with brittle blades snapping from being over heat treated.

And I am no fan of Polypropylene handled Cold Steel machetes. Way imbalanced and their handles transmit horrible shock in the 3 I owned.

I would rather spend once cry once for a top end high quality machete in H2 steel or suitable equivalent. With a proper G10 handle.

Then deal with cheap made sketchy quality control machetes. Just this year I went through two dozen machetes at Home Depot to find one that had a good handle that was not loose. And a good temper.

Every year I have to coat my tools in clear hard laquer for winter storage due to the humidity in my area. First year I moved here I pit my tools in the shed for 6 months.

Six months later my shovels, hoe, rake, hatchet, crowbar, prybar, drill bits, axes, and machetes were covered in rust. Not just covered. But badly pitted. Which causes safety issues.

I threw them away and restocked on new tools. Running me close to $700. And now Every few months or weeks depending. I coat my tools in hard spray clear laquer.

So far so good. But it is a pain in the butt to do this with 2 dozen tools on a consistent basis. Plus the laquer tends to get czught on brush or digging holes. Causing extra work and strain.

Believe me when I say this. If Spyderco ever decide to implement a H2 or tough stainless rust resistant machete. And I can get it before it sells out.

I am game.

I hate having to constantly maintain tools and knives. Especially when I am out camping or in the field.I just hope they do a 14 to 18 inch blade.

As far as I am concerned. Carbon steel tools and knives days are limited. Stainless and Nitrogen steels are becoming equal to Carbon in toughness and far surpass carbon in edge retention and corrosion resistance.

I do not believe for one second carbon steel is tougher than a good modern stainless. Heck, 420HC has far more toughness than 1095 or 1075.

Larrin spoke on that in his testing on knife steel nerds And I tend to trust a person with a PH.D in metallurgy over what the Topps or ESEE owners say.

You be safe over there friend.

[Fireman]

Here is my custom full flat grind kitchen machete. It is so lively in the hand



The Medford is heavier and more of a short sword

That is a beautiful and and practical piece of edged art. Wow. I love the smooth flowing design and the satin finish to it.

It also reminds me of some early Bowie designs which were more like large Scimitar butcher knives. Thank you for posting that, Fireman.

Thanks! I wish I had requested a lanyard hole on it but oh well. The handle is quite ergonomic and made from exhibition grade Koa wood with copper pins. The steel is Nitro V with a 12.5” blade. It is a scimitar design to break down large cuts of beef but with the FFG it is so well balanced, light and nimble. I highly recommend the knife maker who is out of New Zeland. We collaborated on a hybrid japanese masahiro noodle knife/siberian cleaver design that he sells currently

[zhyla]

I got no issue with cheap affordable machetes. But it would not hurt in 2025 to have something made to a higher standard by Spyderco or try pushing the enve!ope with more modern superior materials.

I think this is one of my two issues primary with all machete threads, the assumption that more expensive materials will improve a machete.

The other is people calling basically anything a "machete" (Fireman, your giant kitchen knife looks cool, but it is in no way a machete). There are lots of machete-like objects, seemingly every culture has come up with a lightweight agricultural implement of similar sizes and of course in the West we just call them all machetes. As an extreme, I started looking at Condor's catalog because of this thread and stumbled across the Burmese Hunter. Really cool looking.

I just like the concept of advancing machete design.

Now this I can get behind. Much like the straight razor thread, I'm skeptical of the likelihood of a major innovation in a tool that has been iterated on for a couple centuries. But I'll never bet against Spyderco's design chops.

[PM2Josh]

I got no issue with cheap affordable machetes. But it would not hurt in 2025 to have something made to a higher standard by Spyderco or try pushing the enve!ope with more modern superior materials.

I think this is one of my two issues primary with all machete threads, the assumption that more expensive materials will improve a machete.

The other is people calling basically anything a "machete" (Fireman, your giant kitchen knife looks cool, but it is in no way a machete). There are lots of machete-like objects, seemingly every culture has come up with a lightweight agricultural implement of similar sizes and of course in the West we just call them all machetes. As an extreme, I started looking at Condor's catalog because of this thread and stumbled across the Burmese Hunter. Really cool looking.

I just like the concept of advancing machete design.

Now this I can get behind. Much like the straight razor thread, I'm skeptical of the likelihood of a major innovation in a tool that has been iterated on for a couple centuries. But I'll never bet against Spyderco's design chops.

I do get your point. Agreed that machetes are made to be cheap work tools. But there is always room for an exception. And I would never bet against Spyderco.
That would not fare well for me.
Wishing you well and a safe weekend ahead.

[Naperville]

All of this talk hashing out the idea, you guys/gals are getting me excited for a new knife. It's great! I'm hoping that it happens!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Please don't make it too thin/whippy.

I cannot tell if I will buy it sight unseen, but I probably would buy one maybe two if it can double as a self defense tool. Spyderco usually hits it out of the park.

[Fireman]

You are correct. It’s what I call a Kitchete. A kitchen machete. A knife that can process food AND take out zombies. I wish you could handle it to see how it feels in hand and how useful it is. I still have on my list to make a LC200n Kitchete that is still double duty but more geared for outdoors and camp chores/food prep. I love to cook and I love outdoorsy stuff so this is kinda combining two passions of mine.

I got no issue with cheap affordable machetes. But it would not hurt in 2025 to have something made to a higher standard by Spyderco or try pushing the enve!ope with more modern superior materials.

I think this is one of my two issues primary with all machete threads, the assumption that more expensive materials will improve a machete.

The other is people calling basically anything a "machete" (Fireman, your giant kitchen knife looks cool, but it is in no way a machete). There are lots of machete-like objects, seemingly every culture has come up with a lightweight agricultural implement of similar sizes and of course in the West we just call them all machetes. As an extreme, I started looking at Condor's catalog because of this thread and stumbled across the Burmese Hunter. Really cool looking.

I just like the concept of advancing machete design.

Now this I can get behind. Much like the straight razor thread, I'm skeptical of the likelihood of a major innovation in a tool that has been iterated on for a couple centuries. But I'll never bet against Spyderco's design chops.

[Fireman]

As far as advancing knife design, I have this one idea to give the machete more chopping power and up close usefulness by having a three zones, a skinning tip zone, a chopping zone with a traditional edge profile but a partial flat grind towards the handle. The handle needs magnetic weights or 1/4” thread in the butt for weights to adjust for what use you need it for to change the balance especially for chopping so that the sweet spot gets all the oomph. I also like the idea of a sliding handle that locks into three positions to adjust the size and use of the knife. I have another crazy idea but it’s too crazy to post here till I get a proof of concept to show people.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Fireman, wow great term! Kitchete. I like it!
Naperville, yes one thing I do not like in a machete or bush knife is thin whippiness.
That is why I also love those stout Kukri style Recurve blade designs. Elastic but stiff.
Zhyla is very correct about making a clear distinction between a true machete vs bush knives and choppers.

It is amazing to me, too, at all the world wide cultural knives of these sorts.

I had a bad experience in my teenage years where I bought a very cheap 5 dollar painted carbon steel machete at a military surplus store. The owner at the store had them on sale but suggested I spend a bit more for one of those Ontario Knives military ones.
I stuck with the cheap one and was using it to chop overgrowth in a garden in a backyard. I hit a rock and the edge bounced and almost cut my leg. It did not but that was a close call.

[Mushroom]

I think an H2 Machete would be too cost prohibitive for the vast majority of Spyderco's market. In my opinion, it would not be worth their time to develop and produce one. I would expect it to be comparable in price to something like the Darn Dao, which sat on shelves for literally years after it was produced. (Might still be available some places)

I have no doubt that a Spyderco machete would have buyers but I also genuinely believe that anything Spyderco produces would have buyers. "Will it have enough buyers?" is the real question though. It's rare to find someone willing to spend $450 on a machete, just so they can use it the same way they use their $10 Tramontina.

[Jeb]

Fireman,

This sliding handle, how are you going to avoid the part of the machete that sticks out the tail of the handle as you slide it forward?

I know that would get me right in the gut as a gut check lol. I get, the single cut bevel, as I re-sharpen my cheap cruddy ones they get a single side bevel lol. These things I got here are pure junk though jimo...

They have cheap plastic scales you can't keep snagged up on the shank, but that's just the beginning of the problems these have.

I have no idea how many times I have bent these Dawgs and had to take them to my anvil and hammer them back out the best you can and then start over lol.

[Jeb]

Mushroom,

You might be right about the cost, but I know you can't sell what you don't have. Maybe they build these up on a custom build platform then, you think they could do that, or would do that?

Heck take orders and let us pay for them up front. They sure can have my money and right freak'n now lol... I don't care if it takes a year for them to make them either. Just no more junk for 200 bucks, which I am certain I have another junk machete on its way here as I type this.

I just have way more faith in the stuff I buy from Spyderco than these other places and I am sick of these cheap sorry ones I have been buying for years...

[JoviAl]

Mushroom,

You might be right about the cost, but I know you can't sell what you don't have. Maybe they build these up on a custom build platform then, you think they could do that, or would do that?

Heck take orders and let us pay for them up front. They sure can have my money and right freak'n now lol... I don't care if it takes a year for them to make them either. Just no more junk for 200 bucks, which I am certain I have another junk machete on its way here as I type this.

I just have way more faith in the stuff I buy from Spyderco than these other places and I am sick of these cheap sorry ones I have been buying for years...

I hear that - I have gone through loads of machetes in the last decade and most of them are more ‘machete-shaped-objects’ than actual well designed cutting tools. To borrow a phrase from @zhyla that I’d never previously come across - most of them seem to aesthetic designs aimed at mall ninjas (please correct me if I’ve misused that) or the design is following a stereotype that iterates on something that has come before (which’s initial design came about long before the invention of particle metallurgy steels or CNC).