Many years ago when I first started to make stainless steel machetes, a group of knife hobbyist questioned the use of ATS-34, saying that the metal was to brittle for machete use. And it was true, my first machetes with industry standard heat treatment were indeed brittle. So in the beginning I struggled along with different heat treatment techniques striving to produce tough steel. After an off hand conversation with a well known sword maker I retired to my shop and slowly developed the methods to produce tough, durable ATS-34 stainless steel machetes. These machetes will stay sharp for longer than other machetes as the all important edge is not rusting and becoming dull just sitting in the scabbard. A high end ATS-34 stainless machete with out cut other stainless machetes because of the superior quality of the of steel, edge holding being one of a number of desirable traits.
S35vn is also used, it is an excellent stainless steel but does not come in the sizes needed for the best cutting machetes. The thicker blades are heavier and better on harder targets, but they give up speed and fast direction changes. Right now if you want a really good cutting machete I can offer a 1/16” thick S7 machete. This is a tool steel that is not stainless, but comes in the necessary sizes to fashion an exceptional working machete. The tool steel will rust, but it’s OK with a wipe down of oil, however it will never be stainless. S7 is one of the most durable steels available, easily tougher than all other knife steels. The trick is to increase it’s edge holding and my heat treatments have been adjusted to produce harder S7 than industry standard heat treatments. This results in S7 that holds an edge.
Cord wrapped handles range from my original, well received “Rope Wrap” to fine cord used on hemp wrapped handles. Wood handles are made from Koa, Milo, Lychee, Ohia and other hawaiian hardwoods. Handle hardware is simple and strong, as "fancy weapons are tools of ill omen, their owners delight in the killing of man, this is not in accord with the great way". My machetes double as weapons, they are held to a high level of construction, but they are not ornate.
Scabbards are made of Kydex and feature a Tec-loc or a shoulder strap. All machetes are delivered razor sharp.