Sometimes, you just luck into things.
I received a Smoky Mountain Knife Works ad in my email the other day that a few machetes listed. I have several on hand as I'm sure most of you do as well, but I'm always looking for new blades to try. I can't see paying $60.00+ for a machete though. They did have a Marble's one that looked interesting, and since I've never had a Marble's blade I ordered it. But to get the shipping discount I had to add something else to the order. So I added what they list as "Carbon steel 16" bill hook machete"
https://www.smkw.com/carbon-steel-bill-hook-machete-hs4426 To be honest, I didn't expect much from this, but was looking forwards to testing the Marble's one.
SMKW is super fast on shipping, the chete's came in the next day.
When I opened up the box I was disappointed, but also pleasantly suprised. The Marble's machete- well, I don't have anything good to say- it's a machete that's very rough around the edges. But the billhook? Damn that, on initial impressions, is one fine blade.
The picture on the website is true to form, with the exception that the blade I received has brass snaps on the sheath. The blade has no maker's mark visible, though the box it came in states "Rite Edge Forged Series". The snaps on the sheath inidcate "Rite Edge" as well. It was shipped in a plastic sleeve, well greased, wrapped in bubble wrap as well. No rust on opening. Wiped it down with motor oil and it shined up very well.
The blade on this beast, and it is a beast, is full tang, 1/4" thick along its entire length from tang to tip. It's a substantial blade weighing in at slightly over 1.75
pounds. The finish on this is very well done- really good fit, no rough edges where the wood and metal meet. Smooth finish on the handle, which means it will get slick if it gets sweaty- be advised. Not sure how to describe the blade grind accurately- Top to bottom the blade is flat 1/4" steel with no taper until you get to the actual edge, which is a single bevel. The tip remains 1/4" along the back of the hook as well, only tapering where the actual edge starts. The edge was decent, not paper shaving sharp, but definitely limb lopping sharp.
Took it out to test on a few Poplar limbs out back on the house- no issues at all. I was really impressed, but I had to wonder if it was fluke.
So I ordered another one, and a camp knife from the same maker.
https://www.smkw.com/carbon-steel-hunter-mosaic-pin-sheath-hs4424No fluke.
I took all three out to test on the firewood pile. Took a couple of pieces of 5- 7" white oak that had been seasoning for a couple of years and decided to try batoning. It was done with the factory edges btw. I now have a nice 6 gallon bucket of kindling. No marring or edge/spine deformation at all. Works well throwing sparks from a ferro rod as well.
Due to the weight of the billhook, I wouldnt recommend it as a carry piece in the woods, but as a camp tool? It's a good alternative to a hatchet or small axe, while doing duty as a "machete". And at $20.00 the price is hard to beat for what you get.
Oh, btw, the knife's a pretty good one as well, especially at $15.00, though the blade is a bit short for my liking and I prefer a scandi grind these days. However, it batons through smaller pieces easily and is reasonably sharp out of the box. Can't comment on other uses as I haven't had a chance to try it out. Though I doubt it'll be replacing my Garberg.
