I hand forged this big blade as demonstration a few months ago and let a lot of people look it over and discuss it in the blacksmith shop where I work. It's over 12 inches by a fraction and is W2 steel. Good stuff. It cuts exceptionally well. I have the geometry kind of thin, which explains the cutting. But, it tested out well on seasoned Bodarc so I think it will hold up fine for some brush cutting and hard blind building. I'll get a handle on it and see how she works. I'll naturally have to think on the carry system because of it's length. But I intend to carry it along with a small fixed blade.  

 
 

It's going to be a fine knife, and a biggen too. You said it was thin, how thin is it? Love the guard too.
Dana

That's the prettiest machete I've ever seen.   :D

Dana and Rusty, the blade is not so thin, but the edge is thin. Incidentally the spine is about .270 at the ricasso and about .225 where the clip starts. So it has great distal taper. That is one thing that will make it a pleasure to use although it's so long. It already feels light in hand and I dont have a handle on it to balance it.

The edge thickness is about .035 1/8" back from the edge where the flats start. For my sure nuff Camp Knives, I make the edge .040-.045 about 3/16 back where the flat starts. That might sound like apples and oranges but not so much if you sketch the cross section on paper. What it means is the edge geometry is almost the same, but the "biggun" is not as thick where it blends into the flats.

Boy, I can't wait to see this one finished.  This is a fine example of why you can stamp MS on your blades, Lin!     I especially like that first picture.

Now thats what I call forging close to shape! Awesome job Lin

Wow!  That's already gorgeous, I can't wait to see how it finishes up.

I really like the guard too, Lin....looks really nice!

As a famous croc hunter from down under once said: This is a knife!   :D  
Dave.

Awesome Mr. Rhea!

Great looking pattern, and I think that is one of the coolest guards I have ever seen!  Looking foward to seeing it finished and your sheath solution.

Steve
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Potomac Forge

Thanks. The guard is damascus and is now etched and fitted to the blade. I cant work on till next week so it will have to sit till then.

Wow Lin I really like it,but then again I like all nyour knives good work.

Beautiful knife.  It could be a good hog knife for those that hunt hogs with a blade.  It is certainly long enough.

I snapped a couple of shots to show how it looks.This is the front showing the fit. Wheny ou have a guard with curves in it and a straight filed shoulder, you have to bland the curve into the straight.

 

I have to do a little clean up around the tang. Any debris in that area will not allow the handle to fit up tight.

 

Few things are prettier than a guard made of twist.
That would really make an awesome hog hunter!

I really like where this is going!!!! A nice twist on that guard too. With some more Damascus fittings this thing will almost to beautiful to use. Almost... But if it were mine I would still have to cut with it.

Chris

What a pig sticker Lin

Exceptional work! Can't wait to see it complete