I'm a trainee blacksmith from the uk and it's great to see how other blacksmiths, that have the same love and dedication as I do. Create things with minimalistic tools in different countries. I also want to say that I find your videos very interesting and easy to watch keep up the good work! Thanks Luke.
I’m new to this channel, but the quality and craftsmanship that goes in these tools are just amazing to see. Love how the cutie gives her approval each time!
Traditional Thai Knife You will find this knife in the central and northern parts of Thailand. In my country, these knives are sold at 300฿-500฿ (15$ -20$)
What an interesting channel! Thank you so much for these wonderful videos. Where exactly is this very able blacksmith? Northern Thailand? I would like to visit him with my son and buy some of his products. We are Thai people living in Chiang Mai. Thank you for your kindness.
Awesome despite the use of power tools, but it is the same reason we did so in the West so can't gripe too much. Where was this in Thailand as I am traveling there next year for Muay Thai training, and will be bringing back a suitcase of sharp things. Also we all love to baton with our knives, but a stick tang in a hunk of bamboo (even with a collar) is still asking to crack the handle, and or at least the lac/resin that holds the handle in place. without that handle being pinned in place you are just asking for a loose blade. We have such a tendency to see tools made with advanced space age materials like modern steels, epoxies, fasteners, and think their practically iron age cousins can live up to the same hard use/abuse. A beautiful tool, and hopes it has served you well. Thanks for posting this as I am planning on working on some Thai inspired tools when I fire up my forge this weekend.
What part of Thailand has good blacksmiths or markets for Thai machetes. I go to taal in the Phillipines but I would love to visit Thailand. Any suggestions?
I think it's so interesting how they combine the modern with the old techniques. How long were you guys able to stay in the country and see the sites. I just love seeing other countries and cultures. The more I learn about other people and places it helps me to be a more humble and understanding person. Thanks again. God bless and stay safe.
i think ive seen just about all your videos....and, i really enjoyed them. I would like to know if it would be possible in the states, to get one of those super thin Thai machetes...is there a web site that you might suggest?.
I don't know sorry. But if you found a blacksmith all they need is a piece of leaf spring steel off an old car, sure you could even find a piece of bamboo if you look around :) There's some very active Blacksmithing interest groups on Facebook that might help.
there is a website called "my parang" which would give you a Malai version of that blade....I just picked up a Condor "Duku Parang", great steel n heat treat, narrow...but, a little thick...with a saber grind. So, I totally reprofiled the blade to a convex belly, with a mirror polish. I've been collecting fixed blade weapons and tools for some time, and was right in the middle of a Khukuri buying binge...until I saw your video!...well, then i said to myself "damn, i've got to get one of those"!!!
I really like that particular blade. The length, taper and thickness are all great, as is the slight curvature. Looks to be a very versatile all-around knife. What province/village is this smith located in? I'd love to look some of these guys up when I get back to Thailand. We own a house in Loei province in the northeast.
Thanks Phil. Glad u liked it! Have you seen the Thai Sword Factory video? Check out our Filipino blacksmiths also, the one with Buffalo Horn handles is our most popular.
If you do a Google image search of "Thai blacksmith Maha Sarakham", you will find 10 archived images of a village blacksmith from washington.edu. The page title is " Village men and boys working a Malay bellows for a blacksmith, 4 photos, Changwat Maha Sarakham, Thailand, January 1964". When I was in nearby Loei province in 1977-1979, my blacksmith friend used almost the exact same setup. Same hollow log butter-churn air pumps, same mud forge on the ground. Same anvil-like object stuck in a big hunk of log. Zero power tools. In one pic, there is a cool bamboo basket. I have one exactly like it that I've had for nearly 40 years.
Say Heah, Beautiful, I also bought my second Ka-Bar Big Bowies, I bought my BK-20 Bundok Bowie a while ago, I think I was the last person to buy that Limited Edition, Now I just bought the BK-29 Moses Bowie. Both are made in the 0170-6C which is a very good edge retention carbon blade, Both are around a 1/4" thick and about 11" blade length. Now Tis is a Kniof !!! Yeah both are made in the Good Ole United States.,,.
Bamboo is cheap, light, strong, readily available and easy to work. The almost-solid pieces they use has a small hole in the middle, which teak does not. Heat the tang and burn it in for a custom fit. Many people out in the boondocks do not have anything but the most simple tools. No electricity, no drill, grinder, saw, nothing. Bamboo handles are light but strong and relatively easy to fit and replace when necessary. Much of the better hardwoods were excessively logged and are endangered. Some is poached from protected forests. I'll bet a bamboo handle will stay on better than Teak or some similar hardwoods that have a high oil content. They may also provide a better grip when one's hands are sweaty. A number of knives other than farmer/working knives do have hardwood handles, though generally not teak in my experience.
It does pain me to see them use power tools like the grinder with the cutoff blade improperly. And no personal protection equipment like proper eye or chest protection. My Thai relatives are the same way. Lose an eye or get cutoff wheel fragments slicing open your belly - "It's fate". Just curious if there was a Thai Baht price mentioned for that cool blade. 250 maybe? I know prices have gone up.
leave the batoning up to the yanks and poms. I would posit that these machetes would be better used as a weapon rather than as a bushcrafting tool. I dislike how easy you can come up on the blade with most of these traditional tools, they need a guard.
I hope you realize that most if not of there steel for the knives are scrap metal and not High Carbon Steel.Let me know if you want a good knife that will last you a lifetime.Handmade with known steels.
Lemme get this straight. The handle is held on by glue. And it is a machete. A heavy metal piece that constantly strains that glue with every single strike. Yeah, I will pass on it, I don't want to have it fly out and stick into someone's chest. And without wanting to look like a hater, that is an uneven, incredibly thick and steep edge. Good luck cutting anything harder than banana trees with it. Plus I might be mistaken, but if that is how he quenches, then that blade will permanently bend sometime.
I imported dozens of Thai machetes with the standard bamboo handles that are supposed to be glued in with shellac but come without the glue. Many sat around in the garage and the tangs slightly rusted. Some I can't get off without severely pounding them with a hammer. It is amazing how well they hold even without the shellac glue. If a Thai blacksmith reworks a blade, he'll throw it in the fire to get it hot enough to melt the glue. That glue might not hold up in sub-zero weather, but it works in the tropics. As for edges, they vary with the thickness of the knife and the intended purpose. I find Thai knives to have rather thin edges for a chopping type knife, considering some of the hard woods they chop. These aren't kitchen knives. Also, they are generally a convex edge for strength. Quenching styles vary over there. I never saw anyone use oil, always water. Some quench edge first. My 70 year old blacksmith friend quenched spine first, and tempered in the same operation to avoid stress cracking. He never let the blade completely cool between the quench and temper. He had some special clay mud that he would put on in a very thin coat. I think it prevented oxidation in the final heating so he could easily see the temper color without buffing the blade. He made excellent blades.
I'm a trainee blacksmith from the uk and it's great to see how other blacksmiths, that have the same love and dedication as I do. Create things with minimalistic tools in different countries. I also want to say that I find your videos very interesting and easy to watch keep up the good work! Thanks Luke.
Happy blacksmithing Luke!
This resin called laksha, insect nest, you can use is as varnish
This guy is more MODERN with his tools he uses to make that machete than any you have video taped.
No, go and watch our Malaysian Parang video! :)
I’m new to this channel, but the quality and craftsmanship that goes in these tools are just amazing to see. Love how the cutie gives her approval each time!
I love watching craftsmen/women, make it work.
Ancient epoxy glue. Awesome!!
I always admire and appreciate craftsmen at work...
The confusion coupled with the know-how...
👍🛠️
god bless this blacksmith , doing the best with few resources
Enjoyed this video very much. The resin was nuts.
Very nice video. Thanks a lot.
Absolutely it's a beutiful works....i like it... traditional machete....
This video makes me want to travel.
Do it man ;)
Me2
That blade is sweet man. Thanks for the vid!
Are they using leaf springs for steel?
Traditional Thai Knife
You will find this knife in the central and northern parts of Thailand.
In my country, these knives are sold at 300฿-500฿ (15$ -20$)
If I had one of his machetes I would cherish it for life.
sehr gute/schoene sammlung und aufnahmen
What an interesting channel! Thank you so much for these wonderful videos.
Where exactly is this very able blacksmith? Northern Thailand? I would like to visit him with my son and buy some of his products.
We are Thai people living in Chiang Mai.
Thank you for your kindness.
Details of the address are in the description. Thanks for watching !
neat vid thanks! I lied the open workshop as well- great lookin blades
Which is better oil for a quench or water
Life has no limit !
Thats most important thing in this video.
Awesome despite the use of power tools, but it is the same reason we did so in the West so can't gripe too much. Where was this in Thailand as I am traveling there next year for Muay Thai training, and will be bringing back a suitcase of sharp things. Also we all love to baton with our knives, but a stick tang in a hunk of bamboo (even with a collar) is still asking to crack the handle, and or at least the lac/resin that holds the handle in place. without that handle being pinned in place you are just asking for a loose blade. We have such a tendency to see tools made with advanced space age materials like modern steels, epoxies, fasteners, and think their practically iron age cousins can live up to the same hard use/abuse. A beautiful tool, and hopes it has served you well. Thanks for posting this as I am planning on working on some Thai inspired tools when I fire up my forge this weekend.
Awesome!!! Thank you for sharing it.
very good
great work
Hello Dr. James.
Actually this blade will be seen doing a quick test chopping in our upcoming video this Friday. "How to cook Roast Beef Bush Style."
The lac bug is also where we get lacquer & shellac. It is only found in India & Thailand, but was imported to Spain & as early as 1200.
What kimd of bamboo is thr hamdle made out off ? also how far does thr metal godosn into the bamboo?
I meant Go down into the bamaboo *
that thai man and lady speaks reasonably good english. impressive!
The lady is actually a Filipina.
I knew I should have collected something other than machetes all these years. Too old now for a "mia noi".
Amazing video brother I have been MIA for a while but I think I'm going to start making videos again.
Looking forward to it !!!
What part of Thailand has good blacksmiths or markets for Thai machetes. I go to taal in the Phillipines but I would love to visit Thailand. Any suggestions?
How to get this
I love their safety shoes 😍
I am from indonesia,love u indonesia n god job bro
Very cool video man, loved it . thanks so much for sharing man. Take care of yourself and ATB.
Thanks Wayne! Glad you enjoyed it!
Kullcraven Bushcraft & Survival
How much in equivalent usa $ does the smith charge for the machete?
BEAUTIFULL, SENCILLO, PRACTICO Y FUNCIONAL
I think it's so interesting how they combine the modern with the old techniques. How long were you guys able to stay in the country and see the sites. I just love seeing other countries and cultures. The more I learn about other people and places it helps me to be a more humble and understanding person. Thanks again. God bless and stay safe.
Thanks Rich. We were there a while. Should be a camping video from Thailand coming up! Next 2 videos will be cooking in Australian bush!!
could you bring these to the UK from Thailand
Zayn Khan that's something you'd also need to find out by researching the knife laws in the UK city that you wish to land in.
Nice blade and video. Good old forged steel ;)
Where is the shop located? I would love to go there to buy some
How many Baht was it?
i think ive seen just about all your videos....and, i really enjoyed them.
I would like to know if it would be possible in the states, to get one of those super thin Thai machetes...is there a web site that you might suggest?.
I don't know sorry. But if you found a blacksmith all they need is a piece of leaf spring steel off an old car, sure you could even find a piece of bamboo if you look around :) There's some very active Blacksmithing interest groups on Facebook that might help.
there is a website called "my parang" which would give you a Malai version of that blade....I just picked up a Condor "Duku Parang", great steel n heat treat, narrow...but, a little thick...with a saber grind. So, I totally reprofiled the blade to a convex belly, with a mirror polish. I've been collecting fixed blade weapons and tools for some time, and was right in the middle of a Khukuri buying binge...until I saw your video!...well, then i said to myself "damn, i've got to get one of those"!!!
What was the final cost ???
I really like that particular blade. The length, taper and thickness are all great, as is the slight curvature. Looks to be a very versatile all-around knife. What province/village is this smith located in? I'd love to look some of these guys up when I get back to Thailand. We own a house in Loei province in the northeast.
nnnnnie
It’s very close to Chiang Dao town in Chiang Mai Province.
The English speaking guide called Chai can be contacted on +66 6-2252-8349. He’s the one who helped us find 2 blacksmiths in Chiang Dao.
does he have a site that i could contact him to get a machete of of him
Mother Nature's epoxy ! Gotta love it !
That's awesome
Maybe you not yet visit singapore and Brunei to find blackmiths there
คนไทยสุดยอดดด
was great, but I liked the water quenched razor blade better
Thanks Phil. Glad u liked it! Have you seen the Thai Sword Factory video? Check out our Filipino blacksmiths also, the one with Buffalo Horn handles is our most popular.
A perfect device for dispatching those pesky NVA and Pathet Lao soldiers . Still have my buffalo knife / buffalo horn handles with steel pins - 1971
If you do a Google image search of "Thai blacksmith Maha Sarakham", you will find 10 archived images of a village blacksmith from washington.edu. The page title is " Village men and boys working a Malay bellows for a blacksmith, 4 photos, Changwat Maha Sarakham, Thailand, January 1964".
When I was in nearby Loei province in 1977-1979, my blacksmith friend used almost the exact same setup. Same hollow log butter-churn air pumps, same mud forge on the ground. Same anvil-like object stuck in a big hunk of log. Zero power tools.
In one pic, there is a cool bamboo basket. I have one exactly like it that I've had for nearly 40 years.
outro song name plz
Say Heah, Beautiful, I also bought my second Ka-Bar Big Bowies, I bought my BK-20 Bundok Bowie a while ago, I think I was the last person to buy that Limited Edition, Now I just bought the BK-29 Moses Bowie. Both are made in the 0170-6C which is a very good edge retention carbon blade, Both are around a 1/4" thick and about 11" blade length. Now Tis is a Kniof !!! Yeah both are made in the Good Ole United States.,,.
Why use bamboo for the handle rather than teak? The latter seems more long-lasting.
Bamboo is cheap, light, strong, readily available and easy to work. The almost-solid pieces they use has a small hole in the middle, which teak does not. Heat the tang and burn it in for a custom fit. Many people out in the boondocks do not have anything but the most simple tools. No electricity, no drill, grinder, saw, nothing. Bamboo handles are light but strong and relatively easy to fit and replace when necessary. Much of the better hardwoods were excessively logged and are endangered. Some is poached from protected forests.
I'll bet a bamboo handle will stay on better than Teak or some similar hardwoods that have a high oil content. They may also provide a better grip when one's hands are sweaty. A number of knives other than farmer/working knives do have hardwood handles, though generally not teak in my experience.
It does pain me to see them use power tools like the grinder with the cutoff blade improperly. And no personal protection equipment like proper eye or chest protection. My Thai relatives are the same way. Lose an eye or get cutoff wheel fragments slicing open your belly - "It's fate". Just curious if there was a Thai Baht price mentioned for that cool blade. 250 maybe? I know prices have gone up.
Here is how they do it: They make a machete - and then quench it in oil!
I am thai . I call it meed-nabe
มีดเหน็บ
Tom P ใช่ครับมีดเหน็บ
leave the batoning up to the yanks and poms.
I would posit that these machetes would be better used as a weapon rather than as a bushcrafting tool.
I dislike how easy you can come up on the blade with most of these traditional tools, they need a guard.
drilled the hole too big!
She LOVES the BIG STIFF HARD Machete.
I hope you realize that most if not of there steel for the knives are scrap metal and not High Carbon Steel.Let me know if you want a good knife that will last you a lifetime.Handmade with known steels.
i am half thai
My two boys are half Thai. Not sure if it's because my wife is Thai, or because I'm half-assed. Whatever, it works.
That glue was amazing to see , glue is expensive here in europe...
An angle grinder is a good way to make something nice look like s*** doesn't have any room in my forging shop
No gloves, no shoes, in shorts and Tshirt, no safety glasses, and holding everything by hand.
My man just does not give a shyte does he?
Mr.Mudcatslim to be completely honest the only safety equipment you need for the most part are glassed.
maybe cut coi?
Everytime I see white guy holding knife at the end I think (what's up doc)
No machetes!!!
This is a E-TO knife
Lemme get this straight. The handle is held on by glue. And it is a machete. A heavy metal piece that constantly strains that glue with every single strike. Yeah, I will pass on it, I don't want to have it fly out and stick into someone's chest.
And without wanting to look like a hater, that is an uneven, incredibly thick and steep edge. Good luck cutting anything harder than banana trees with it. Plus I might be mistaken, but if that is how he quenches, then that blade will permanently bend sometime.
I imported dozens of Thai machetes with the standard bamboo handles that are supposed to be glued in with shellac but come without the glue. Many sat around in the garage and the tangs slightly rusted. Some I can't get off without severely pounding them with a hammer. It is amazing how well they hold even without the shellac glue. If a Thai blacksmith reworks a blade, he'll throw it in the fire to get it hot enough to melt the glue. That glue might not hold up in sub-zero weather, but it works in the tropics.
As for edges, they vary with the thickness of the knife and the intended purpose. I find Thai knives to have rather thin edges for a chopping type knife, considering some of the hard woods they chop. These aren't kitchen knives. Also, they are generally a convex edge for strength.
Quenching styles vary over there. I never saw anyone use oil, always water. Some quench edge first. My 70 year old blacksmith friend quenched spine first, and tempered in the same operation to avoid stress cracking. He never let the blade completely cool between the quench and temper. He had some special clay mud that he would put on in a very thin coat. I think it prevented oxidation in the final heating so he could easily see the temper color without buffing the blade. He made excellent blades.
nnnnnie Are you all right? Did you have a stroke or something?
Nnnnno problem. Sticky keyboard.
why they dont work on a fucking table ?....
I’m thai
Well, too much disorder in this Blacksmith
11th xd