Broken machete

[slowworm]

As I need to clear a fair bit of scrub and brambles from my land I decided to get a machette as that seemed like the ideal tool for the job. It was ideal but after a few uses it literally snapped in two! I was just cutting a branch of less than an inch diameter and was amazed to see most of the blade fly off.

My main concern is why did this happen as I'd like a replacement but one that's not dangerous. I wasn't using too much force as the blade was sharp and didn't need excessive force, I've not mistreated the blade at all and being an "Army Machette" I assumed it was suitable to be used and not a toy. I enclose a couple of pictures, note if you look carefully at the tang in the handle it has also broken near the end as well. Can anyone suggest what happened?







I'm also very disappointed with the place I purchased it from, Surplusandoutdoors, as I've emailed them several times and I've only been told the matter has been passed to their product complaints department who will get back to me, two weeks of chasing hasn't got any further.

[JonathanD]

That looks like one of the Chinese made 'issue' goloks. Someone did a review of these on BB and it wasn't good. They are knock-offs and are shorter than the issue version. Get a refund and get a Martindale.

[MartiniDave]

I had one identical to that. As Jonathan said, it's Chinese knock-off. Steel is gawd-knows-what and won't take an edge, very poorly made. Just look at the grain structure on the break! I gave mine away to someone who wanted it for very occaisional use.

Dave

[Everything Mac]

the grains appear to be different sizes - so it might have been a shoddy heat treatment.

as said get a refund then get on ebay and buy a billhook.

Andy

[Andy W]

I have seen some thing similar on another place, the break was at the handle - unfortunatly I had already bought one by this time (i have not used mine and looking at yours I am not sure if I will ever use it). As for the military markings and connections they are false and very misleading - they are centainly not uk marking and as others have stated here, a Chinese copy trying to be something its not.

Andy

[Radix lecti]

As the other fellow said get a Martindale.

[TFan]

Damn!. I wish this thread had been around before I bought one a couple of weeks ago. I knew they weren't "issue" but not that they were carp.

[wizard]

me 2! I have one I have not used but it looks good, I guess they are better looking than in practical use! I also have a regular Martindale which I have used quite a lot and it is my favorite machete so far. I do want one of those Borneo RM style ones, they look to be a real useful shape.

[slowworm]

Get a refund and get a Martindale.

That was going to be my second question, what to get as a decent replacement. A Martindale looks ideal. I do have a couple of billhooks but prefer the machette for some jobs.

I'll try an get a refund but not hopeful, looks like I'll shop elsewhere in future.

And anyone else who has one like the above, I would be very cautious using it as mine failed with no warning at all.

[Alfredo]

Hi, may I ask how much cost it?

[slowworm]

It cost me £16.99, so I'm not overly worried about losing the money but I would have expected the shop to be concerned about the fault.

[Alfredo]

It cost me £16.99, so I'm not overly worried about losing the money but I would have expected the shop to be concerned about the fault.

You're right about the shop, of course.
My question was to understand the quality level of this knife. I guess it was a completely failed heath treatment.

[sargey]

shame about the blade breaking.

for brambles, the way forwards is to pop down to B&Q and pick up a fiskars brush-hook. they're twice the price of your failed miniature golok, but worth every penny if you've proper work to do. they really are so far of any thing else for that sort of job.

anyone know where the made in china bit came from? the information i had was that they were made by a company that supplies the indian army. unless it's a chinese knock off of the indian knock off!

cheers, and.

[slowworm]

You're right about the shop, of course.
My question was to understand the quality level of this knife. I guess it was a completely failed heath treatment.

I understand. The blade has never shown any signs of rusting so it looks like it's a stainless steel which I think is more brittle than plain carbon steel?

[slowworm]

shame about the blade breaking.

for brambles, the way forwards is to pop down to B&Q and pick up a fiskars brush-hook. they're twice the price of your failed miniature golok, but worth every penny if you've proper work to do. they really are so far of any thing else for that sort of job.

I've seen them and slashing hooks and I'll hopefully be getting a scythe with brush blade which will be ideal for large areas but I still find a small machette useful for close in work and other trimming.

[sargey]

i'd lend you mine but it's already out on loan. they really are so much better than just about everything else for that sort of job, so light and effortless to use it's a joy!

and no i don't have shares in fiskars!

cheers, and.

[slowworm]

Does anyone know much about Tramontina Machetes? I'm thinking of getting one of those for £8 before investing in something better, the reviews I've seen suggest they're great for the price.

Sadly no refund from Surplus and Outdoors, I phoned them as they didn't answer my emails, other than acknowledge receipt of one. They insist I send it back at my cost which as far as I can see is against the distance selling regs as I regard the item as faulty and is less than 6 months old, but it's not worth the hassle to argue so I'll just not use them again.

[JonathanD]

They are decent machetes, a few SA tribes use them as standard and we are taking 10-15 with us as trade items when we go over there. The handle needs work as it is rough, and the blade needs re-sharpening. But for £8 you kinda expect that. I like them over the Martindales.

[slowworm]

Thanks Jon, the reviews mentioned the handle. I'd not have any problems reshaping or even replacing it and I can happily sharpen the blade.

[flexo]

why don't you buy a billhook?
i guess it is less "sexy" but it does the job,and it's easy to find...

[JonathanD]

The handle doesn't take much work. I wrapped one with hockey tape and it improved it 100%.

[John Fenna]

I had a Tramontina machete but BENT the blade hitting a branch that was too tough for the tool...
I have also had Tram knives that left chunks of blade embeded in green ash when I tried chopping through them ...
Not my favourite maker....
I have a Martindale Golok that, after reprofiling the edge, making a new sheath and reshaping the handle, is excellent...but superceded by a vintage billhook....

[WeThePeoplexfbm]

yeah thats a problem .... buy better one?


---
Skipp

[slowworm]

why don't you buy a billhook?
i guess it is less "sexy" but it does the job,and it's easy to find...

I have two but I've found in a limited space, clearing brambles next to a fence, that the hook can catch on the brambles and whip them towards me.

For some jobs I use a billhook and other jobs I'll use other tools. After the experience I've had I'm unlikely to try cutting many branches either, I'll remember to use my saw.

[chrisboa]

had the same problem with a fox Golok Gave this to my son for his birthday
He had the Golok for a few months and had not seen too much action with it, Just chopping firewood, etc, the blade is a very sharp piece of steel.
He commented that the handle is a little small and the piece didn’t have enough weight,. Unfortunately whilst pulling it out of a small tree it broke clean in two, the steel is very hard & brittle. Fox said it was mistreated, and it was our fault it broke, (it may be my son was a bit rough with it but he excepted it to be a durable tool) I have to praise Heinnie for their attitude towards this problem they (not Fox) reimbursed me in full at their discretion hence the reason I have just purchase another bit of kit from them the Chris Caine Black Micarta, better luck next time
(and I will make sure he handles this one with great care and respect)

[hog]

You too huh.