The Book of Eli machete pattern - FREE

[Laser Brain]

The handle is partly done. I still need to add the thinner leather thong to the ends and then wax it.

 

[Art Andrews]

Vos,

I'd love more detail on the acid bath and on the specific type of leather you used as it looks REALLY good!

 

[Laser Brain]

The acid I used is a cold patination treatment called Tourmaline. It is designed for copper, bronze and brass, but the black version works nicely on aluminium. It is a diluted mix of Nickel and Copper Sulphates. It etches into the surface, but can be easily removed with sandpaper or wire wool. You can build it up in layers and if you catch it right you get a nice rusty brown colour before it turns black. It burns itself out quite quickly so it will not continue to eat away at the surface, unlike concentrated copper sulphate. Stinks of eggs.

I'm not sure what the leather is, it was left over from the last Harry Potter.

Cheers
Neil

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Wow...it really stands out now, Vos! :thumbsup

What method did you use to wrap the handle?

Rob

 

[Soulinertia]

Loving it! What kind of acid bath would you recommend for 1075 carbon steel?

 

[Laser Brain]

Rob,
I did what cheech9898 did. I used 10mm strips and twisted as I wrapped.

Hydrochloric and nitric acid are used for etching steel. perhaps an ultra-diluted mix would work?

 

[Ghostsoldier]

That's just super-awesome, Neil! :thumbsup
Rob

 

[Laser Brain]

I finished my replica today. The grip has its thin leather thong on each end, and has been sealed with a walnut wax.

Thanks again Rob, for the drawing. Although the machete is a relatively simple project to tackle, I must say that it is one of the most satisfying things I have made in a long time.

 

[DavidS]

just wathced this movie for the first time last night and I gotta say you NAILED that one!
best replica of it i have seen!

 

[darthzman]

perfect !!!

 

[Atlas]

Found this

Post-apocalyptic Machete Short Sword w/ Shoulder Sheath

Grip and sheath are WAY off, but with that price tag, who's going to complain?

_A

 

[Ghostsoldier]

True...but at 17" inches long, it's about 8" shorter than the Eli version...meaning, in a apocalyptic knife fight, your either gonna be laughed at, or the bad guys are gonna take your oversized butter knife away from you and spank you with it. :cool
Rob

 

[SteamForged]

sooooo tempted to damascene a version of this, the watering would be lovely, itd be a little too classy for a faithful replication but damn it'd be nice.

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Go for it! :thumbsup
Rob

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Here's a Damascus version of the Eli machete, built by RPF member 7crows; he asked me to post the photos here for everyone to see:

This is a beautiful example of fine craftsmanship! :thumbsup

Rob

 

[chuckyAPP]

That's gorgeous! I really need a sheath for mine, is that nylon?

 

[Ghostsoldier]

I'm not sure; hopefully, 7crows will check in to answer any questions you may have.

Rob

 

[Soulinertia]

Just beautiful!

 

[TGxANAHEiiMx]

This project is really exciting! I like to make props that are easily recognizable, such as this.

@Vos - REALLY nice work, great craftsmanship! You said that you formed the bevel on the edge by hand. Just curious, what did you use? Belt sander, Dotco, etc...

 

[Regretfulflyer]

Pardon. Do you know where I may find the Book of Eli machete .pdo? The link on this website you've listed is broken. Thanks.