How to make your own Machete

Step 5: Lets give this baby an edge!

      Sharpening this tool is really up to you.  If you want it razor sharp, it may take a while and don't expect it to keep its sharp edge.  Remember, its steel!  


      I took the blade to my belt sander and gave it an edge, then finished the job with a cheap sharpening tool that I found at my local sporting goods store.  That thing works wonders and I sure will be using it in the future.  


      I kept the blade moderately sharp to keep it simple to my uses, but again, the sky is the limit!

Comments

[skimmo]

great instructable bro, but its not wise to use gloves when using grinding stones or belt sanders, if you scrap your skin on the sander it may hurt a little but if your glove gets caught, you can lose a finger.

but still really good job!

[BJMN]

Good thinking - but, having worked in safety for a large multinational manufacturing firm, I must point out that statistics show that wearing gloves while using a sanders or polishers do reduce injuries. The likelihood of the glove catching on the rotating belt or disc exists, but most hand/lower arm injuries with this type of equipment is not from the belt/disc - they are from pieces of material being caught and flipped back, or shattering, etc.

Standard industrial practise is to insist on gloves at all times even when using this type of equipment.

:)

[Grahamwithimps]

It must be sharp enough - there's a plaster on your thumb!

Much respect for building your own machete aged 15. Over here (UK) they're so paranoid about children and knives that even Boy Scouts don't carry penknives any more...

[Trollinwater]

haha! unfortunately, that wound was from picking lobster meat at work.... those hard shells are a pain to pick.