Advice with machete

[Feygan]

Ok Ive had the british army machete (10 inch version) collecting dust for a few years now.

What I'm wondering is how versatile is if as a replacement for a small axe in the uk, I never really do any "big" chopping so I've only ever used a small forest axe, anything, bigger i do the major work with a saw first. But lately I've been looking at the axe thinking it's just too cumbersome, you always need a pack with decent strapping or such, whereas the very few times ive taken the machete out I didnt even notice I had it, clipped onto my belt.
So is it a realistic alternative, or not upto the harder woods we get here?

Also can someone offer advice on how to get the balde in shape, as last time it got some heavy battering work and then put away so is in abit of a state.

 

[Montivagus]

Advice with machete!? Isn't that a threat?

 

[Ratbag]

What I'm wondering is how versatile is if as a replacement for a small axe in the uk, I never really do any "big" chopping so I've only ever used a small forest axe, anything, bigger i do the major work with a saw first. But lately I've been looking at the axe thinking it's just too cumbersome, you always need a pack with decent strapping or such, whereas the very few times ive taken the machete out I didnt even notice I had it, clipped onto my belt.
So is it a realistic alternative, or not upto the harder woods we get here?

Also can someone offer advice on how to get the balde in shape, as last time it got some heavy battering work and then put away so is in abit of a state.

This kind of thing has recently been discussed on the knife vs kukri thread. Its horses for courses and everyone has their own preference, but my view is that a short light machete like this is best suited to clearing brambles and vines. It is a versatile tool and can be pressed to working with wood (as well as digging holes, for that matter), but it lacks the heft and hardness to really shine at woodwork.

As for sharpening it, the steel is relatively soft so an hour or so with a good file will do the trick. I put a convex grind on mine and then finished it off with the Hoodoo hone (a big one!), but don't expect it to stay sharp for long.

Hope this is helpful

Rat

 

[Buckshot]

As Rat says, unless it's for a specific use it's not really worth having in the UK IMO.
Too threatening as well when you see joe public. An axe says wood worker, a long blade says maniac (at least to joe anyway).
In the jungle they're the best thing but not here.

Mark

 

[anthonyyy]

Mine gets a lot of use, I find it’s a pretty handy tool. Good for getting wood for a very small fire, like a hobo stove, and great for clearing brambles. It is light, can take a lot of abuse and it dos'nt cost the earth.

I've never been in the countryside in Britain but I would imagine because of the milder and wetter climate – with a longer growing season – that the undergrowth would be heavier in Ireland.

 

[Buckshot]

That's not to say I've haven't got a couple

 

[OldJimbo]

I think that if you actually have one, it'd be sad not to put effort into convexing it and seeing just what it will do. I've found that putting a decent convexed edge on soft steel machetes works wonders in edge retention.

 

[Feygan]

Thanks for the info, would it also be worth me looking into a billhook as a small axe alternative?